[For 4-year-olds] Winter craft ideas to enjoy at daycare and kindergarten
Children who attend kindergarten and nursery school are likely looking forward to celebrating Christmas and winter events together with their friends and teachers.
In the chilly winter, some people may be looking for events that can be enjoyed not only outdoors but also indoors.
In this article, we’ve compiled a collection of recommended winter craft ideas for four-year-olds in childcare settings.
We’re also introducing activities that involve using their hands and thinking about what to make as they work, which can help nurture concentration and thinking skills through play.
Try making these items that are fun to create and fun to play with!
Because the children’s creations are treated as works, we refer to them as “seisaku” (制作, craft/creation) in the text.
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[For 4-year-olds] Winter craft ideas to enjoy at daycare and kindergarten (91–100)
Making a Sparkly Snowman
Let’s make a snowman that kids love using a paper plate.
You can use the center part for the head and the outer ring for the body, so nothing goes to waste—that’s the nice part.
After cutting out the center of the paper plate and flipping the plate over, cover the empty space with carton tape, then cut colored origami paper however you like and stick the pieces onto the adhesive side.
If you use shiny paper, it looks beautiful when the light hits it.
Wrap a scarf around it or add some cotton, and complete your cute snowman!
A tree hat like stained glass
Let’s try making a hat inspired by a Christmas tree.
Roll a sheet of white construction paper into a cone-shaped party hat and draw lines and pictures with oil pastels.
Then paint over it with watercolors.
The oily pastels will resist the paint and create a fun effect.
You don’t have to stick to green—use any colors and draw whatever you like.
Once the drawing is done, attach a star to the tip.
When it’s finished, wearing it for a Christmas party and the like can be lots of fun.
Give it a try!
Sparkly ornaments made with pipe cleaners and glue
How about making some sparkling ornaments to get into the Christmas spirit? You can create them using everyday materials like pipe cleaners and wood glue! First, shape a pipe cleaner into a triangle and apply wood glue around it.
Flip the pipe cleaner over and place it on parchment paper, then fill the inside with glue.
Next, dip a toothpick or similar tool into paint to draw patterns, and decorate with beads.
Once the glue is completely dry, slowly peel it off the parchment paper—and you’re done! You can also try shaping the pipe cleaner into a star or a boot, or switch up the paint colors for more fun.
Wouldn’t it be lovely to decorate your Christmas tree with handmade ornaments together with the kids?
A snowman made by stuffing calligraphy paper into a plastic bag
Put crumpled sheets of hanshi paper into a plastic bag to make a three-dimensional snowman.
Compared to construction paper, hanshi feels softer to the touch, so it’s easier for children to handle.
Have the children freely crumple the hanshi into balls and place them in the plastic bag so they form the snowman’s head and body.
Once you close the bag, the base of the snowman is complete.
Then let the children make eyes, a mouth, and a bucket hat out of origami or construction paper, stick them on as they like, and it’s finished.
Yarn-Wrapping Tree
Introducing a Christmas tree you can make by wrapping yarn—an easy craft using familiar materials! Try it with your kids.
First, cut a piece of thick paper into a triangle and snip small notches around the edges.
Next, wrap yarn around it, tucking it into the notches as you go.
Decorate with beads, then combine it with a base made from a cut toilet paper roll wrapped in origami paper—and you’re done! Since it stands upright, it makes a great accent for your room and will really boost the festive Christmas mood.
Snowman made with paint and origami
Here’s an idea for a snowman wall decoration you can make with children.
It uses familiar materials like paint and origami, so it’s easy to try—perfect for winter crafts! First, draw the shape of a snowman on construction paper with crayons, then paint it.
Next, attach a hat and mittens made from origami paper.
Adjust the number of steps based on the children’s ages and interests.
Displaying these unique, personality-filled snowmen around your facility will help everyone feel warm and cheerful, even during the cold season.
Mini Christmas tree made of pine cones
How about making a cute mini Christmas tree using a pine cone? All you need are a pine cone, acrylic paints, and decorative items like felt balls or beads.
First, use green acrylic paint and a brush to paint the pine cone.
You can use green as is, or mix in yellow to create your preferred shade.
Once it’s fully painted, dab white acrylic paint onto the tips of the pine cone with the tip of the brush to create a snowy effect.
After the paint dries, decorate it however you like with wood glue—and you’re done.
It may be small, but it looks just like a real Christmas tree, and it’s so cute you’ll want to make several and line them up.
