[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 for Enjoyment at Nursery Schools and Kindergartens (101–110)
Christmas tree made with origami
Let’s make a semi-3D Christmas tree out of origami, using a sheet of colored construction paper as the base.
Prepare a sheet of your favorite color for the base and several colors of origami paper, such as green, light green, and red.
Fold the origami paper in half twice, then cut along the creases to make long, narrow strips.
With the colored side facing out, glue the ends of each strip together to form loops, and attach them to the base paper in layered rows.
Place a star made from origami at the very top to complete your Christmas tree.
You can also make a pot for the tree from construction paper or decorate the tree with round stickers to make it even more festive.
Cupcakes made of yarn
You can make it with a plastic bottle cap and yarn! Here’s how to create a super cute cupcake.
Stick your favorite washi tape around a plastic bottle cap, then put some wood glue on the bottom of the cap and stuff it with tissue paper to look like cream.
Next, apply wood glue around the tissue paper and wrap yarn around it.
Finally, decorate it with pom-poms, glitter, or anything you like, and your cupcake is complete! Adding a magnet to turn it into a gift is also recommended.
Snowflakes made of yarn
How about making natural, cozy snowflakes using yarn and twigs? It’s great to use twigs you picked up on a winter walk! To make them, simply combine three twigs to form the snowflake base, then wrap your favorite color of yarn around it.
Changing yarn colors partway through looks lovely, too.
Let the children choose the colors they like and give it a try.
Crafts that use the fingertips help develop children’s fine motor skills, so be sure to incorporate them actively.
Decorated with yarn! Christmas wreath
How about handcrafting a classic Christmas decoration: a Christmas wreath? By making use of a paper plate’s shape, you’ll get a neat, polished look.
Cut out the center of the plate, leaving only the rim.
Color the donut-shaped plate with a green pen, then use glue to secure and wrap colorful yarn around it.
Finally, add some beads, and your cute, playful wreath is complete! When coloring the paper plate, using paints or crayons will give you a different, lovely finish.
Make plenty and decorate to create a festive, vibrant Christmas!
Reindeer accessory case made from a milk carton
This is a reindeer-themed trinket holder that’s sure to be a hit at Christmas parties.
It’s made by reusing an everyday material—a milk carton—so try making it together with your child! First, cut the milk carton to create the base of the holder, and apply double-sided tape around the outside.
Please have an adult handle the preparation up to this point.
Next, cover it with construction paper and add the reindeer parts to finish! Children around age four can freely decorate it with their own unique ideas, and you can also thread a string through to make a handle.
[For 4-year-olds] Winter Craft Ideas for Fun in Nursery School and Kindergarten (111–120)
A spinning top made from a milk carton
One traditional New Year’s pastime is playing with spinning tops.
Here’s how to make a top using a milk carton.
First, cut straight across the four corners with scissors, then trim them to about the same shorter length.
Cutting off the corners makes it safer.
You can do this step in advance.
Draw your favorite designs, then attach a plastic bottle cap with tape to the center of both sides, and you’re done.
It’s fun to see how the patterns the children drew look as the top spins.
You’ll have a blast having contests with friends to see whose top can spin the longest!
Daruma made from construction paper
Daruma dolls are lucky decorations for the New Year.
This time, I’ll show you an easy way to make one using a paper plate.
If the children don’t know what a daruma is, it’s good to explain it first before starting.
First, fold a small, round-cut paper plate in half.
Next, glue together two red construction paper circles.
Draw the face on the upper half of a white paper circle, then cut out patterns from origami paper and stick them on.
Using gold gives it a festive New Year’s feel.
Display the cute, wobbly daruma and enjoy a fun New Year!