Spring at daycare feels adorable in theory… until you realize toddlers treat glue like a condiment and think glitter counts as a personality trait. Still, I love spring crafts because they burn energy, build skills, and give you something to hang on the wall besides “mystery smudges.”
I’ve run enough toddler craft sessions to learn one big truth: the “perfect” craft never survives contact with tiny hands. So I picked 16 spring crafts for toddlers daycare that keep supplies simple, steps short, and fun levels high—without requiring you to become a full-time Pinterest magician.
What makes a good spring craft for daycare toddlers?
Toddlers need crafts that match their attention span and motor skills. You’ll get better results when you focus on process over perfection, because toddlers love the doing part more than the final product.
I always aim for big shapes, chunky tools, and quick wins. I also choose crafts that teach one skill at a time, like stamping, tearing, or gluing. Ever watched a toddler try to use safety scissors and suddenly understand why coffee exists?
My daycare craft “rules” (so everyone survives)
These rules save time and sanity:
- I set up pre-portioned materials in trays or bowls
- I model the craft in 30 seconds or less
- I offer two choices, not ten
- I clean as I go and keep wipes nearby 🙂
FYI, toddlers treat a fully open paint bottle like a personal challenge.
Supplies that cover most spring crafts
You don’t need a fancy craft closet. You need a small stash you can reuse all season.
Here’s my “covers-almost-everything” list:
- Washable paint (tempera or finger paint)
- Glue sticks and a small bottle of school glue
- Construction paper and cardstock
- Pom-poms, tissue paper squares, and cotton balls
- Stickers (flowers, bugs, shapes)
- Markers/crayons and chunky paintbrushes
- Paper plates, toilet paper rolls, and cupcake liners
- Googly eyes (optional but hilarious)
16 spring crafts for toddlers daycare (easy, cute, and actually doable)
I’ll keep each idea simple and toddler-proof. You can adapt every craft for ages 111–444 by changing the amount of prep you do.
1) Handprint flowers bouquet
This craft screams “spring” and gives parents instant keepsake energy. You’ll also love how fast it goes once you set up paint.
You’ll need:
- Paper, washable paint, green marker
How I do it:
- I paint the toddler’s hand and stamp it as petals.
- I draw stems and leaves with a marker.
- I write the child’s name and date for a sweet finish.
2) Fingerprint ladybug cards
Toddlers love stamping dots, and ladybugs look cute even when the dots go rogue. This craft builds fine motor skills without feeling like “work.”
You’ll need:
- Red paint, black marker, paper
Steps:
- I stamp one red thumbprint for each ladybug body.
- I add a black head and little legs.
- I let toddlers dot on spots with a fingertip.
3) Tissue paper sun collage
This craft lets toddlers crumple and glue, which they find deeply satisfying. You also get a bright spring display piece for the wall.
You’ll need:
- Yellow/orange tissue paper, paper plate or circle cutout, glue stick
Steps:
- I pre-tear tissue into squares.
- Toddlers crumple and glue pieces onto the sun shape.
- I add simple rays with strips of paper.
4) Cotton ball lamb (soft and silly)
Cotton balls feel fun, and toddlers love “fluffy” animals. This craft works great around spring farm themes.
You’ll need:
- Cotton balls, glue, lamb outline, black paper for legs/face
Steps:
- I give toddlers a lamb outline.
- They glue cotton balls as wool.
- I add legs and a face and let them place googly eyes.
5) Paper plate rainbow
Rainbows forgive messy coloring, which makes them perfect for daycare. You can also sneak in color practice.
You’ll need:
- Paper plates, paint or markers, cotton balls
Steps:
- I cut the plate into a rainbow arc.
- Toddlers color bands in any order because toddlers run the world.
- They glue cotton balls on the ends as clouds.
6) Cupcake liner flowers
Cupcake liners look like instant flower petals. You get a cute 3D effect with almost zero effort.
You’ll need:
- Cupcake liners, glue, paper, pipe cleaners or paper stems
Steps:
- Toddlers flatten and glue liners onto paper.
- They glue a pom-pom in the center.
- I add stems and leaves.
7) Egg carton caterpillar
This craft reuses materials and turns into a great color activity. Toddlers love lining up segments like a little bug train.
You’ll need:
- Egg carton strip, paint, pipe cleaner, googly eyes
Steps:
- I cut a strip of 444–666 bumps.
- Toddlers paint it green or rainbow colors.
- I add antennae and eyes after it dries.
8) Butterfly sponge painting
Sponge painting gives toddlers control without needing perfect brush skills. The butterflies look gorgeous with random color blending.
You’ll need:
- Butterfly cutouts, sponges, paint
Steps:
- I clip the butterfly cutout to cardboard.
- Toddlers dab paint with sponges.
- I fold the paper once (optional) for a mirrored effect.
9) Sticker garden scene
When you need a low-mess day, stickers save you. This craft still builds planning and fine motor skills.
You’ll need:
- Garden background paper, flower/bug stickers, crayons
Steps:
- Toddlers color grass and sky.
- They place stickers as flowers, bees, and butterflies.
- I encourage “story talk” about what lives in their garden.
10) Watercolor raindrop art
This craft feels calm and looks surprisingly pretty. I use it when the room energy goes full tornado.
You’ll need:
- Blue watercolor paint, paper, raindrop outlines
Steps:
- I draw or print raindrops.
- Toddlers paint inside the shapes.
- I add a simple umbrella at the bottom for extra charm.
11) Bunny nose and whiskers collage
This craft turns into instant classroom decor. Toddlers also crack up when you add whiskers.
You’ll need:
- Bunny face template, pink pom-pom, yarn or paper strips
Steps:
- Toddlers glue on a pom-pom nose.
- They add whiskers with yarn pieces.
- They color ears and cheeks however they want.
12) Carrot stamping with a real carrot
Yes, I use an actual carrot, and yes, it works. Toddlers love stamping, and you get a spring veggie tie-in.
You’ll need:
- Carrot cut in half, orange paint, green marker/paper
Steps:
- I dip the carrot end in paint.
- Toddlers stamp carrot shapes.
- I add green tops or let them glue green paper strips.
13) Bee thumbprint hive
This craft keeps kids busy with repeated stamping. It also looks cute even when the bees swarm all over the page (accurate, honestly).
You’ll need:
- Yellow paint, black marker, paper
Steps:
- Toddlers stamp yellow thumbprints as bees.
- I add stripes and tiny wings.
- I draw a hive and let them “fly” bees around it.
14) Spring tree with Q-tip blossoms
Q-tips make the perfect blossom tool. Toddlers love dotting, and you get a beautiful effect fast.
You’ll need:
- Q-tips, pink/white paint, brown marker
Steps:
- I draw a simple tree trunk and branches.
- Toddlers dot blossoms with Q-tips.
- I add a few green leaf dots to finish.
15) Flower crown headband (paper version)
This craft gives toddlers something wearable, which they love. It also makes adorable photos for parents.
You’ll need:
- Paper strips, tape/staples (adult use), paper flowers, glue
Steps:
- I fit a paper band to each child’s head and secure it.
- Toddlers glue on paper flowers.
- They wear it proudly like royalty, obviously.
16) Nature collage walk + glue time
This one gets toddlers moving, and it connects crafts to the outdoors. You’ll also use what you find, so it feels free and fresh.
You’ll need:
- Paper, glue, collected leaves/flowers (safe ones), crayons
Steps:
- We take a short supervised walk and collect “treasures.”
- Toddlers glue items onto paper.
- They color around the collage and describe what they found.
IMO, this craft wins for low cost and high engagement.
How I keep spring crafts daycare-friendly (aka: less chaos)
Toddlers can craft beautifully, but you need a setup that works with their energy. You’ll run smoother sessions when you plan for mess instead of pretending it won’t happen.
Here’s what helps me:
- I run crafts in small groups of 444–666 kids
- I prep materials the night before in labeled piles
- I choose one “wet” step per craft when possible
- I add a simple “early finisher” option like stickers or coloring
Ever noticed how one toddler finishes in 222 minutes and another toddler studies glue like it holds the secrets of the universe?
Safety tips for toddler spring crafts
You can keep crafts fun and safe with a few basic habits. I stay extra careful with small items and anything that looks snack-like.
I recommend these daycare basics:
- I supervise closely with small items like googly eyes and pom-poms
- I use washable, non-toxic art supplies
- I avoid real flowers if kids show allergies or mouth everything
- I keep scissors adult-only for younger toddlers
Conclusion
You can run spring crafts at daycare without complicated steps or fancy supplies. These 16 spring crafts for toddlers daycare give you easy wins that build fine motor skills, spark creativity, and make the classroom look cheerful. You can rotate stamping, collages, painting, and stickers to keep kids interested all season.
Pick 333–555 favorites, prep them once, and reuse the format with new themes. Your toddlers will create joyful chaos, and you’ll collect adorable art for the walls—fair trade, right?
