Daycare Easy Crafts for 1 Year Olds

What do you do with a 1 year old all day? Check out these amazing daycare easy crafts for 1 year olds!

 

Having run a daycare for over 10 years, I can tell you that there are a LOT of things you can do with a 1 year old! However, I understand that not everyone has the time or energy to get creative every day.

 

That’s why I’ve put together a list of easy crafts that you can do with your 1 year old at daycare. With just a few simple supplies, you can keep your little one entertained and engaged all day long!

 

10 Super-Exciting Daycare Easy Crafts for 1 Year Olds

 

1. Paper Plate Wreath

 

What You’ll Need:

• 2 paper plates, 1 green, 1 red

 

• 1 sheet of white construction paper

 

• Scissors

 

• Glue or tape

 

• Pen or marker

 

Instructions:

1. Cut the center out of the green paper plate to make a wreath shape.

 

2. Cut a red paper plate in half and glue or tape the two halves to the back of the green wreath to make holly berries.

 

3. Cut a strip of white construction paper and glue or tape it around the bottom of the wreath as a ribbon.

 

4. Write “Merry Christmas” or another holiday message on the strip of paper

 

2. Christmas Card Holder

 

What You’ll Need:

• 1 sheet of construction paper (any color)

 

• Scissors

 

• Tape or stapler

 

• Pen or marker

 

Instructions:

1. Fold the construction paper in half lengthwise and then fold it in half again to make a 4-inch-wide strip.

 

2. Cut slits about 1 inch apart along long side of the paper.

 

3. Fold the top of the strip down and tape or staple it in place to make a pocket.

 

4. Write “Merry Christmas” or another holiday message on the front of the pocket.

 

5. Slip holiday cards into the slits.

 

3. Handprint Wreath

What You’ll Need:

• 1 sheet of construction paper (any color)

 

• Scissors

 

• Green paint

 

• Paper plate or palette

 

• Pen or marker

 

• Ribbon or string

 

• Glue or tape

 

Instructions:

1. Fold the construction paper in half and then cut it into a wreath shape.

 

2. Paint your child’s hand green and help him or her make handprints all around the wreath.

 

3. Let the paint dry, then write “Merry Christmas” or another holiday message in the center of the wreath.

 

4. Cut a length of ribbon or string and glue or tape it to the back of the wreath. Hang the wreath on a wall or door.

 

4. Candy Cane Ornaments

 

What You’ll Need:

• 2 pipe cleaners (red and white twisty ones work best)

 

• Scissors

 

• Pen or marker

Instructions:

1. Cut one pipe cleaner in half to make two 12-inch pieces.

 

2. Make a loop at one end of each piece of pipe cleaner and twist the ends together to secure. These will be the candy cane hooks.

 

3. Take the remaining two pipe cleaners and twist them together to make a rope. There should now be four Pipe cleaners total, two red and two white, twisted together.

 

4. Make a loop at one end of the rope and twist the ends together to secure. This will be the top of the candy cane.

 

5. Wrap the rope around itself to form the candy cane shape and twist the ends together to secure.

 

6. Write “Merry Christmas” or another holiday message on the candy cane with the pen or marker.

 

7. Hang the candy canes on your tree or give them as gifts!

 

5. Salt Dough Ornaments

What You’ll Need:

• 1 cup flour

 

• 1/2 cup salt

 

• 1/2 cup water

 

• Cookie cutters

 

• Paint and paintbrushes

 

• Ribbon or string

 

• Stapler

Instructions:

1. Combine flour, salt and water in a bowl and stir until the dough is formed.

 

2. Place the dough on a lightly floured surface and roll it out to 1/4-inch thickness.

 

3. Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes from the dough.

 

4. Place the shapes on a baking sheet and bake at 200 degrees for 2 hours.

 

5. Let the Ornaments cool, then paint them with your desired designs.

 

6. Cut a length of ribbon or string and staple it to the back of the ornament.

 

7. Hang the ornaments on your tree or give them as gifts!

 

6.Playdough Ornaments

 

What You’ll Need:

• 1 cup flour

 

• 1/2 cup salt

 

• 1 tablespoon cream of tartar

 

• 1 cup water

 

• Food coloring

 

• Cookie cutters

 

• Ribbon or string

 

• Stapler

 

Instructions:

1. Combine flour, salt, cream of tartar and water in a saucepan and stir over low heat until the dough forms.

 

2. Remove the dough from the heat and add food coloring to desired shades.

 

3. Place the dough on a lightly floured surface and roll it out to 1/4-inch thickness.

 

4. Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes from the dough.

 

5. Place the shapes on a baking sheet and bake at 200 degrees for 30 minutes.

 

6. Let the ornaments cool, then paint them with your desired designs.

 

7. Cut a length of ribbon or string and staple it to the back of the ornament.

 

8. Hang the ornaments on your tree

7. Glitter Ornaments

 

What You’ll Need:

• Plastic ornaments (clear ones work best)

 

• Glitter

 

• Glue

 

Instructions:

1. Remove the top of the ornament and set it aside.

 

2. Pour some glitter into the ornament.

 

3. Add a drop or two of glue and swirl it around to mix with the glitter.

 

4. Put the top back on the ornament and shake it to distribute the glitter.

 

5. Hang the ornament on your tree or give it as a gift!

 

8. Finger Painting

 

What You’ll Need:

• Construction paper

 

• Finger paint

 

Instructions:

1. Place a piece of construction paper on a flat surface.

 

2. Squeeze out some finger paint onto the paper.

 

3. Help your child dip his or her fingers in the paint and make handprints or other designs on the paper.

 

4. Let the painting dry, then hang it up or give it as a gift!

 

Read Also: Activities for 18-24 Months at Home- 20+ Fun & Developmental Activities

 

9. Q-tip Painting

 

What You’ll Need:

• Construction paper

 

• Q-tips

 

• Paint

 

Instructions:

1. Place a piece of construction paper on a flat surface.

 

2. Squeeze out some paint onto the paper.

 

3. Help your child dip the Q-tip in the paint and make dots or other designs on the paper.

 

4. Let the painting dry, then hang it or give it as a gift!

 

10. Coffee Filter Snowflakes

 

What You’ll Need:

• Coffee filters

 

• Water

 

• Pipe cleaners

 

Instructions:

1. Fold a coffee filter in half and then in half again, then repeat until the filter is a strip about 1-inch wide.

 

2. Tie the strip in the middle with a pipe cleaner to create a loop.

 

3. Cut the ends of the coffee filter into strips, making sure not to cut the pipe cleaner.

 

4. Unfold the coffee filter and fan out the strips.

 

5. Dip the snowflake in water and watch it grow!

 

6. Hang the snowflake on your tree or give it as a gift!

 

These are just a few daycare easy crafts for 1 year olds. For more ideas, check out our website or Pinterest page. And don’t forget to share pictures of your completed projects with us!