Lovely childcare

[Childcare] Winter Projects You’ll Want to Try! Recommended Craft Ideas

20 years of experience as a nursery teacher / kindergarten teacherhiyoko sensei
I’m Hiyoko-sensei, a former nursery school teacher from Hyogo Prefecture. Ever since I was five, my dream was to become a childcare worker, and before I knew it, 20 years had passed since I achieved that dream. Through singing and playing with the children, I kept working with the spirit of someone in their twenties, even as I increasingly felt my physical limits year by year (haha). From here on, I’d like to share helpful information carefully and thoughtfully, drawing on my on-site experience.
Nursery Teacher Mom Writertsukada moe
After working for five years at an after-school childcare club and three years at a nursery school, I began working as a freelance writer. I’m a mother of two children. Inspired by playing the flute in the school wind ensemble in elementary school, I joined a jazz club at university. I’ve also incorporated ukulele and piano performance into childcare. Playing, laughing, feeling sad, feeling frustrated—through all kinds of experiences, I want children to grow.

Winter is packed with events like Christmas and New Year’s.

With one fun event after another, children are surely full of excitement.

Plus, winter-specific activities and warm, cozy motifs add color to everyday life.

In this article, we’ll introduce craft ideas to enjoy during the winter season.

If your ideas have been getting repetitive or you’re looking for a hint, please use this as a reference.

Since the things children make are treated as works, we use the term “seisaku” (production) in the text.

[Childcare] Winter Projects You’ll Want to Try! Recommended Craft Ideas (181–190)

Santa and Reindeer Wreath

Origami Christmas wreath (Santa Claus and reindeer) folding method — Origami Christmas Santa Claus reindeer wreath tutorial (niceno1)

Santa and Reindeer Wreath

Let’s make a “Santa and Reindeer Wreath” together with children who are eagerly waiting for Christmas! This wreath is easy to create—just make the Santa and reindeer parts and connect them into a circle.

There’s no need for scissors or glue, so you can enjoy it together safely and with peace of mind.

You can also draw the eyes and noses of Santa and the reindeer to add a personal touch, or use round stickers for a quick and simple look.

It’s sure to capture the children’s excitement for Christmas and become a fun craft that brightens up the winter season!

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[Childcare] Great winter projects! Recommended craft ideas (191–200)

Tree mobile

How to Make a 3D Christmas Tree Mobile — It spins round and round when you hang it!

Tree mobile

This is a gently swaying Christmas tree mobile you can hang as a decoration.

Attach tree and star templates to construction paper, then use a pencil and ruler to score a fold line down the center of each.

Cut along the templates, and fold each piece along the pre-scored center lines.

Apply a thin strip of double-sided tape along the center, then stick the folded pieces together to create 3D trees and stars.

Punch a small hole, thread string through, and connect the trees and stars at a pleasing distance.

Finally, attach a hanging cord—and you’re done!

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Snow globe made from a plastic bottle

How to make a snow globe

Snow globe made from a plastic bottle

Here’s how to make a snow globe using a plastic bottle.

Prepare an empty bottle from a lactic acid bacteria drink, decorative pom-poms, beads, glitter, liquid glue, and a hot glue gun.

Put the beads and decorative pom-poms into the empty drink bottle.

Fill the bottle about halfway with liquid glue, then add water.

Color a piece of paper with colored pens, place it into the bottle, and let it tint the liquid.

Mix everything together, then top up with water to push out any air, and you’re done.

Close the cap tightly and secure it with a hot glue gun so it won’t open.

Wrap vinyl tape around the top to finish.

Decorating with washi tape might make it even cuter!

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A penguin toy that moves side to side

Paper cup penguin craft! The side-to-side wobbling motion, just like a real one, is adorable!

A penguin toy that moves side to side

This unique toy recreates the waddling movement of a penguin.

It’s easy to make with paper cups, making it perfect for winter crafts in preschools and kindergartens.

First, decorate a light blue or blue paper cup with the penguin’s belly, beak, and eyes.

Next, attach a rubber band to a battery, then tuck the rubber band into two slits cut on each side of the cup—and you’re done! To play, simply twist the battery, then set it on the floor or a table.

The penguin’s unpredictable movements will delight both children and teachers alike.

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Handmade snow globe

[Craft] How to Make an Easy Snow Globe [Daycare/Kindergarten]

Handmade snow globe

Sparkling snow globes are a fun craft to look at and play with.

Be sure to make them together with the kids.

First, draw and color the motif you’ll put inside the snow globe on shrink plastic.

For children who aren’t confident drawing freely, it’s helpful to prepare a tracing template.

Next, bend the edge of the shrink plastic, apply glue, and fix it to the jar lid.

For the liquid inside the jar, mix water and liquid laundry starch (or glue) at a ratio of 3 to 7, and pour it in.

Measuring is also a valuable experience for children, so it’s great to do it together.

Finally, add beads or pom-poms, close the lid, and it’s done! It’s very beautiful, but please be careful to prevent accidental swallowing of small parts.

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Santa with a handprint beard and a sticker-decorated tree

[Kindergarten/Daycare] December Handprint Santa with a Beard – Art/Craft Project

Santa with a handprint beard and a sticker-decorated tree

Let’s try a craft that uses children’s cute handprints as Santa’s beard.

First, prepare an oval piece of construction paper for Santa’s face and a sheet of origami paper folded into a triangle.

The origami will become Santa’s body, so patterned paper is recommended.

Next, use white paint to make the children’s handprints on the construction paper.

Once the paint is dry, the teacher should cut out the handprints with scissors.

Then, glue the Santa parts together with the children.

If you also prepare construction paper cut into a tree shape and let the children enjoy placing stickers on it, you’ll have a festive Christmas craft all finished.

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Snowflake made with origami

Easy Christmas origami! How to cut snowflakes ❄️ #shorts / Origami Snow Crystals

Snowflake made with origami

Beautiful snowflakes that look dazzling and festive when displayed on the wall.

Their symmetrical, geometric patterns are sure to delight children when they’re finished.

This activity is suitable for ages 4 and up, once they can handle scissors well.

First, fold the paper into a triangle twice, then open it once.

Fold the left and right sides together, then fold it in half again.

Leaving the folded “spine” intact, draw any shapes you like, cut along the lines with scissors, and unfold to reveal a lovely snowflake pattern.

Be careful not to cut off the folded spine.

Finally, when you open the paper, the anticipation of “What shape will it be?” adds excitement and helps build thinking skills.

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