[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] Projects to Try in Winter! Recommended Craft Ideas (171–180)

Ogre Pants Made with a Marble Run

Let’s make ogre pants for Setsubun! Using the marble-rolling technique, even infants can create cute patterns.

First, choose construction paper in your favorite color and enjoy rolling marbles.

Lightly secure the paper inside a box with edges, then roll marbles dipped in paints like red, blue, and green.

Since there’s a chance children might put marbles in their mouths, be sure to manage the marbles carefully.

Once the paper is full of patterns, let the paint dry.

Finally, cut the paper into the shape of pants, and you’re done.

It’s fun to make pants in various colors and shapes and hang them up as decorations!

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Ornaments made from plastic cup lids

Why not use plastic cup lids to make Christmas ornaments? Enjoy creating dreamy ornaments with kids using familiar materials! First, make a snowflake out of quarter-size origami paper and stick it on the back of the plastic cup lid.

Next, cut transparent origami into a circle and stick it on the back as well.

Finally, decorate the edges with roll stickers in your favorite designs, add a ribbon, and you’re done! If the child is around five and can use scissors, let them try making the snowflake.

Since the materials are translucent, we recommend displaying the ornaments where they catch the light!

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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?

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Shishimai (lion dance) with handprints and cardboard stamps

Try making a festive New Year’s shishimai (lion dance) using handprints! You can also enjoy stamp play.

First, make a handprint with green paint on construction paper.

If you spread your fingers wide, it will look more like a shishimai.

Next, use a rolled-up piece of cardboard as a stamp to dab red paint and create the costume’s pattern.

The teacher should prepare the lion’s facial parts in advance, and then work together with the children to glue them on and draw the expressions.

A lively, dynamic shishimai will boost the New Year spirit!

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The Handprint Demon and the Ehomaki

Let’s make a craft by turning children’s adorable handprints into ogres (oni).

When taking the handprint, use four fingers except the middle finger: paint the index and ring fingers yellow, and the remaining fingers in oni-like red or blue.

Applying paint directly to the hand with a brush helps you get a clean handprint.

Once the paint dries, treat the yellow parts as the oni’s horns and attach the facial features.

Then, make an ehomaki roll with construction paper and crumpled tissue paper, and you’ll have a unique Setsubun-themed craft! Using handprints makes it a special keepsake of this moment, which is another charming point.

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