[Childcare] Winter Projects You’ll Want to Try! Recommended Craft Ideas

Last updated:2026/1/22

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 (1–10)

[Paper Cutting Play] Making Ramen

Delicious ramen that kids and adults alike love—perfect for warming up on a cold day.

Use colored construction paper as a bowl, brown construction paper for the broth, and glue down yellow yarn for the noodles.

On top, make toppings like menma, green onions, seasoned eggs, and chashu out of origami paper, then glue them on.

Kids can have fun piling on their favorite toppings and expressing their individuality with choices like, “I’m going to add lots of nori!” or “I want extra chashu!”

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Daruma made with string threading

@haruharo_made
TikTok Document New Year’s Craft / Daruma Lacing Materials: • Yarn • Construction paper • Scissors • Cellophane tape • Glue • Hole punch • Paper plate • Round stickersCrafts for 4-year-olds　Crafts for 5-year-olds #3-year-old crafts #2-year-old's craft Crafts for 1-year-olds Crafts for 0-year-olds Production #Nursery school Wall decoration #StayHomeTime #AtHomePlay Production ideas #Nursery School Craft Winter Craft #Kindergarten Kindergarten craft Nursery teacher / Childcare worker Kindergarten Teacher wall surface　#ChristmasTree Production for children under age (infants and toddlers)　Simple craft Made in December　# January production Made in February　 New Year’s craft　#Daruma making　Tatsu Production #Mask making　Mask #paint　Sticker application　Round sticker Sticker-pasting craft　　　　　Hanging ornament drawing paper　#ConstructionPaperArt　 Paint making　　paper plate　Paper plate craft　Paper Plate Craft　Threading (a cord/strap through a hole)
♬ Mela! – Ryokuoushoku Shakai

We’d like to introduce a wonderful craft that builds concentration and fine motor skills: a Daruma lacing activity.

Cut out the center of a paper plate, then punch holes around the cut-out edge for the string to go through.

When making the holes, a craft hole punch is recommended.

After threading the string, finish by lacing it so that the holes connect to each other.

To make it easier to thread, reinforce the end of the yarn with cellophane tape.

Once you’ve attached the Daruma’s belly and face, decorate the surrounding area as you like to complete the craft! Thicker string is easier for children to hold.

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A three-dimensional cream Valentine’s cake

@lienkashii ♪ Original Song – Liankashii Nursery School – Liankashii Nursery School

This chocolate cake with fluffy whipped cream looks absolutely delicious.

The fruits that kids love will surely boost their creativity even more.

If you mix one-third glue into shaving foam and whisk it quickly and vigorously, you can make fluffy whipped cream.

When spreading the cream, using a spoon keeps hands clean and makes it easier for children to apply.

Decorate with fruits or pom-poms as you like, and it’s done.

It’s a delicious-looking cake where the fluffy whipped cream is the key—give it a try!

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mayumi

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Skeletal Mount Fuji

@haruharo_made
TikTok document New Year’s craft / [Skeleton Mount Fuji] [Materials] • Ribbon • Japanese-pattern paper plate (Seria) • Scissors • Transparent film • Glue • Color filmCrafts for 4-year-olds　Crafts for 5-year-olds #3-year-old crafts #2-year-old's craft Crafts for 1-year-olds Crafts for 0-year-olds Production #Nursery school Wall decoration #StayHomeTime #AtHomePlay Production ideas #Nursery School Craft Winter Craft #Kindergarten Kindergarten craft Nursery teacher / Childcare worker Kindergarten Teacher wall surface　#ChristmasTree Production for children under age (infants and toddlers)　Simple craft Made in December　# January production Made in February　 New Year’s craft　#Daruma making　Tatsu Production #Mask making　Mask #paint　Sticker application　Round sticker Sticker-pasting craft　　　　　Hanging ornament drawing paper　#ConstructionPaperArt　 Paint making　　paper plate　Paper plate craft　Paper Plate Craft　Threading (a cord/strap through a hole)
♬ Stylish cafe-style BGM – Hiro Hattori

The first sunrise of the year seen from Mt.

Fuji is so beautiful, isn’t it? Through New Year’s crafts, children can learn about Japanese culture and enjoy the activity even more.

Cut a paper plate into the shape of Mt.

Fuji and cut construction paper with wavy lines to represent the snow on the mountain.

Layer pieces of colored film onto a clear sheet; using about two colors of film is recommended.

When attaching the parts from the back of the paper plate, trim off any excess to tidy up the appearance.

Let’s decorate with Mt.

Fuji and welcome a wonderful New Year!

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Christmas ornaments made with foil art

https://www.tiktok.com/@ponchan_asobi/video/7438845906046225682

Let us introduce foil art that sparkles brilliantly when it catches the light.

Once you decide on the base shape, start by cutting the cardboard.

Make small slits around the edges with scissors and randomly hook rubber bands over it—this step is key for when you add color later.

Cover everything with aluminum foil, then gently smooth it down so the shapes of the rubber bands stand out as you wrap.

Various forms will emerge.

Color along the shapes with colored pens, and you’re done! It’s a fun project that nurtures children’s creativity, so give it a try.

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Handmade omikuji (fortune slips)

@kids_worker
Let's make a handmade omikuji♪Parent-child time How to spend the New Year New Year’s holiday child #HandmadeToys Omikuji
♬ Katakoto – sloppy dim

Handmade omikuji (fortune slips) are a fun activity for everyone during New Year’s and at events.

The excitement of not knowing what you’ll get is perfect for the New Year.

For the base, it’s recommended to use a cylindrical container or a milk carton for the omikuji box.

After decorating the box with masking tape, stickers, or colorful origami paper, write messages on popsicle sticks.

If writing is still difficult for young children, drawing animals or other pictures will make them happy too.

It’s a craft that’s enjoyable both to make and to draw a fortune from.

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A tree made by twisting origami

https://www.tiktok.com/@chooobo2/video/7430767387416300807

A chic, three-dimensional finish! Here’s an idea for making a twisted-origami tree.

You’ll need green origami paper, light green origami paper, scissors, glue, and a backing sheet.

First, glue the tree trunk onto the backing sheet.

Next, cut the origami paper into long, narrow strips.

The widths can vary—letting kids’ individuality shine through.

Then, apply glue to the ends of each strip and form them into loops.

Finally, glue the paper loops onto the backing sheet and you’re done! It’s also cute to use white paint to add snowy patterns to the background.

Give it a try!

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