[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)

Handprint Kadomatsu Ema

How about making an ema plaque decorated with handprints that even 0-year-olds can work on? Turn the children’s handprints into a kadomatsu motif and create a fun, pop-style ema! First, trace the children’s handprints on paper and cut around them.

Next, create the kadomatsu section by attaching a base and adding decorations.

Finally, glue the kadomatsu onto construction paper cut into the shape of an ema, and finish by adding origami or chiyogami to the blank spaces.

Try making this festive New Year’s decoration that you can enjoy viewing together with the children.

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miyabi

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gloves

Let’s make a winter-themed item—gloves—using marble rolling art.

First, create a pattern by rolling marbles dipped in paint over a sheet of construction paper in your favorite color.

This will become the main part of the gloves, so choosing bright or warm colors will give it a nice feel.

Once the paint is dry, cut out mitten-shaped gloves and paste them onto another sheet of construction paper.

Be sure to make a pair for both hands.

Finally, add cotton to the wrist area and use yarn to represent the glove string, and you’re done! Let’s all enjoy creating one-of-a-kind glove art together.

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tsukada moe

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Torn-Paper Origami Lion Dance

A fun collaborative activity for a class of one-year-olds: “Torn-Paper Shishimai.” How about making New Year ema plaques with a shishimai (lion dance) theme? Prepare a backing sheet cut into the shape of an ema and torn pieces of origami and chiyogami paper.

After sticking the origami and chiyogami onto the backing, make a shishimai face and attach it.

Finally, punch a hole and tie it with tape or string to finish.

This origami idea lets children enjoy tearing paper and sticking it on.

Give this Japanese-style decoration a try—you can hang it on doors or walls.

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mutō

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Oni Made with Lattice Weaving

This is a perfect idea for 5-year-olds who are getting more skilled with their hands! Winter includes events like Christmas and New Year’s, and Setsubun in February is one of them too.

So as a winter craft, let’s try making an oni (ogre) using lattice weaving! The weaving will be for the oni’s pants.

Take a base sheet with several straight slits and weave thin, long strips of construction paper over and under in order.

When it’s finished, it will form a checkered pattern, so aim for that as you work.

Once the pants are done, attach them to the oni’s face, add arms and legs, and you’re finished!

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sasashina

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Yarn-Wrapping Tree

Let us introduce a Christmas tree you can make by wrapping yarn—an easy craft using familiar materials! Be sure to try it with the kids.

First, cut a triangle out of thick paper (cardstock) and make small slits around the edges.

Next, wrap yarn around the triangle, tucking it into the slits as you go.

Decorate by gluing on beads, then combine it with a base made by wrapping origami paper around a cut piece of a toilet paper roll—and you’re done! It stands up on its own, so it makes a nice accent for any room.

It’s sure to boost the festive Christmas mood.

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miyabi

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