[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] Recommended Craft Ideas to Try in Winter (151–160)

[Crayon Resist Painting] Gloves

Let’s use the wax-resist technique to make cozy mittens.

First, as preparation, draw the shape of mitten-style gloves on construction paper.

Next, have the children draw patterns with a white crayon to match the mitten shapes.

When you paint over them with watercolor, the patterns they drew will emerge.

It’s nice to let them choose their favorite colors.

Once the paint is dry, cut the construction paper into the mitten shapes with scissors.

Add wrist decorations and pom-poms to finish.

It will be fun to see what kinds of patterns the children come up with.

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tsukada moe

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[Decalcomania] Daruma-san

Here’s an idea for making a Daruma using the decalcomania technique.

First, fold a sheet of red construction paper in half, then apply paint in your favorite colors to just one side.

Once the paint is on, close the paper along the fold and press it flat with your hands to transfer the paint to the other side.

That’s the decalcomania part.

After the paint dries, place a Daruma template on top, trace the outline with a pen, and cut out the Daruma shape with scissors.

Finally, add the facial features to complete it! You can also paste the Daruma onto a backing sheet and decorate it with origami to make it look like the cover of the “Daruma-san” picture book series—it’s super cute.

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[Finger Painting] Oni (Japanese demon)

Let’s try sensory play along with a craft activity using a finger-painting technique! First, place paint in the color you want for the ogre’s face onto drawing paper.

Choosing bright, pop colors will make a cute ogre.

Cover the paint with plastic wrap, then have the children spread it with their fingers.

Let them fully enjoy the unique, curious texture.

After removing the wrap and letting the paint dry, cut it into the shape of the ogre’s face.

Glue on the pre-made hair and horns, draw the facial features, and it’s done! Adjust which parts the children handle based on how they’re doing, and have fun creating together.

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[Lace Paper and Kirigami] Making a Snowman

How about making a stylish snowman using lace-patterned doilies? Prepare two round-ish doilies and let the children freely draw the eyes, mouth, and other features.

Then decorate them with papercut shapes made from origami! You can use the papercuts as the snowman’s clothing or as patterns surrounding it—feel free to get creative.

If the children are still at an age where using scissors is difficult, it’s recommended that the teacher prepare some papercuts in advance.

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SAKI

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[Hanshi] A snowman made by stuffing a plastic bag

Let’s try making a three-dimensional snowman by putting several crumpled sheets of washi paper into a plastic bag.

Compared to construction paper, washi feels softer to the touch, so it’s easier for children to handle.

Have the kids freely crumple the washi into balls and place them in the plastic bag, thinking about the sizes for the snowman’s head and body.

Once it’s filled, close the bag, then stick on eyes, a mouth, and a bucket hat made from origami or construction paper to finish.

Prepare the small parts in advance on the teacher’s side, and have the children and teacher work together to glue them on.

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SAKI

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