Tango-no-sekku, or the Kite Festival, is the traditional Boy's Day Festival in Japan, held in May. For this occasion, families make or buy a paper or cloth carp for each son and hang it outdoors. Instruct the children on making a paper plate fish. The children can color and decorate the fish as they wish. Attach crepe paper streamers to the tail end and use a tongue depressor or thin dowel for a handle.
Ireland is called the "Emerald Isle" because of its lush green foliage. To make a shamrock clover mask, trace the shape onto green construction paper and cut it out. Position the mask over the child's face and mark the eye area where cutouts can be made. For the band, cut two 1 1/2-by-6-inch strips and attach one on each side of the mask. Let the children creatively decorate the mask with crayons, markers, stickers, feathers and sequins. Overlap the strips at the back of the head and tape or staple them to fit.
The Diwali festival marks the Hindu new year, when families gather to honor the moon. They prepare and eat feasts under moon-shaped lanterns. Cut circles from construction paper in moon colors such as white, yellow and light gray. Show the children how to fan-fold the circles back and forth and then open them, showing dimension. Invite the children to press on adhesive stars or glue on sequins. Punch a hole at the top and string these moons with metallic ribbon to hang in the room.
Spanish music is lively, and musicians use tambourines for rhythm. Children can make tambourines by decorating two paper plates. When they're finished, add a few dried beans inside the plates and staple them together. Punch holes 2 inches apart along the rim; thread bells and streamers there if you wish. Invite the children to shake the tambourines as they dance.
With a little planning, you can present multicultural learning activities throughout the year. Keep a globe or world map nearby to help the children realize they are part of a big world. With each country, choose a story to read, a snack to eat and a craft or activity that represents that country. Try to include the nationalities of the children in your care when choosing countries to explore.