[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)

[Handprint/Footprint Art] Snowman Family

Why not try expressing a cute craft featuring tiny snowmen using handprints? First, make handprints of the children with white paint.

The key is to have them spread their fingers wide.

Once the paint dries, attach hat pieces to the fingertips.

Letting the kids choose the colors and designs to some extent could be fun.

Next, draw facial expressions on the finger parts.

Finally, use cotton swab stamps to make white snow fall onto the background, and it’s complete.

You’ll end up with wonderful pieces, each with a different expression to match every child’s handprint.

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[Newspaper] Valentine’s Chocolate

When it comes to big events in February, Valentine’s Day tops the list.

Even preschoolers might make friend chocolates or give them to someone they like.

Here’s a cute craft idea that’s perfect for Valentine’s Day.

Twist newspaper into thin strands and shape them into hearts.

Mix your favorite color of acrylic paint with glue and brush it on.

Finally, wrap them with finely cut construction paper, pom-poms, or ribbons, and you’ll have Valentine chocolates that look almost real! They make great room decorations and are perfect to take home as a craft project, too.

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Dyed Paper: Hagoita and Daruma

The soft hues of dyed paper are perfect for making New Year’s battledores (hagoita).

Give it a try.

Use hanshi (thin calligraphy paper) for the dyeing.

To capture the festive feel of the New Year, it’s a good idea for adults to preselect the colors to some extent.

After enjoying the dyeing process and letting the paper dry thoroughly, treat the paper as a hagoita, glue it onto brown construction paper, and add a handle.

A battledore alone can look simple, so combining it with other crafts—like a daruma—will really enhance the overall atmosphere.

Enjoy making these together with the children.

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Colorful snowman with a sponge stencil

Let’s make a cute snowman using a stencil with a tampo (dauber).

Stenciling is fun like stamping, and many children will get absorbed in it.

First, as prep work, cut out a snowman shape.

Place the snowman on white backing paper and apply color from above using the tampo stencil.

It’s best to limit the colors to two or three so the children can stay focused and enjoy it.

Remove the snowman shape, then add twig arms, a face, and a bucket hat, and it’s done!

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A spinning top made with torn-paper collage

Would you like to try playing with homemade spinning tops, a pastime also enjoyed during the New Year? You can make a simple top using the bottom of a milk carton.

First, cut off the bottom of the carton, let it dry, and paste torn pieces of washi paper onto it.

Origami made of washi paper is easy to handle.

Next, split the tip of a straw into four, spread the pieces, and stick it onto the washi-covered surface.

Decorating the straw itself with masking tape makes it extra cute.

Once the glue dries, your hand-spun top is ready! It’s sure to be a hit when everyone plays together.

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