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] Things to Try in Winter! Recommended Craft Ideas (201–210)

Plastic bottle Christmas tree

Christmas tree with a mini plastic bottle ♪ DIY Christmas tree using a plastic bottle ♪

Plastic bottle Christmas tree

Let’s make an original Christmas tree using a plastic bottle you have at home! First, put crumpled origami paper inside the bottle and wrap vinyl tape around the cap.

Next, take small strips of origami paper, join the ends together to form rings, and make the tree parts.

The key is to create loop shapes.

Attach them to the sides of the plastic bottle, then decorate with your favorite ornaments.

Finally, add a star made from origami paper on top, and you’re done! It’s a Christmas craft idea that’s easy for kids to enjoy.

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Winter Pop-up Card

Let’s make Christmas pop-up cards without templates (with voice commentary). Easily make Christmas pop-up cards.

Winter Pop-up Card

Pop-up cards that spring to life can excite anyone! Here, we’ll show you an easy winter pop-up card you can make without a template.

First, prepare the card base using thick paper.

Next, take a strip of colored paper, fold it into a triangle three times from one end, and cut.

Using the same method, make three parts in large, medium, and small sizes.

Finally, align them along the center of the card base and glue them from top to bottom in the order of small, medium, then large—done! Add stickers or washi tape to make the card even more festive.

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Seasonal torn-paper collage

[Kindergarten/Daycare] January: Tear-and-Paste Craft! Shishimai (Lion Dance) Artwork & Craft Part 1

Seasonal torn-paper collage

This cheerful shishimai (lion dance) torn-paper collage is recommended for children ages 3 to 5.

First, fold a sheet of red origami so that the white and red sides each show on half of the front.

Pre-cut parts like the lion’s nose and eyebrows.

With the red half on top, glue on the parts, then draw the eyes and mouth with crayons to complete the face.

Next, prepare a backing sheet and apply glue in an area sized for the lion’s body.

Tear strips from colorful origami that you’ve cut into narrow rectangles, and stick the torn pieces onto the glued area.

Finally, place the lion’s face on top, draw any pictures you like in the blank spaces, and you’re done!

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maneki-neko (beckoning cat)

[New Year Craft] Nursery School Craft Activity: “Maneki-neko” Demonstrated by a Childcare Worker!

maneki-neko (beckoning cat)

Let’s make a lucky beckoning cat (maneki-neko) craft that brings good fortune.

It’s a very simple way to create a cute maneki-neko that seems perfect for New Year’s decorations.

First, make the base using colored paper: a gold screen-style backdrop and a red pedestal.

Then attach the maneki-neko on top to complete it.

For the cat itself, trace and cut out the body, face, ears, eyes, whiskers, and other parts from colorful paper.

Once you’ve arranged and glued the cat onto the base with good balance, scatter colorful decorations around it to finish.

Give it a try and make an auspicious maneki-neko that’s perfect for the New Year!

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Snowflakes made of yarn

Snowflake — Handmade ornaments made with yarn and twigs — #play #childcare #nurseryteacher #children #athomeplay #craftplay #artsandcrafts #practical #Christmas #yarn #snow #winter #December #indoors #preschoolers #wrapping #video

Snowflakes made of yarn

Why not make natural, cozy snowflakes using yarn and twigs? You could even use branches you found during a winter walk! To make them, simply combine three twigs to form the base of a snowflake, then wrap your favorite color of yarn around it.

Changing yarn colors partway through looks great, too! Let children choose their favorite yarn colors and give it a try.

Crafting that uses the fingers also helps develop children’s fine motor skills, so be sure to incorporate it actively.

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