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[For 1-year-olds] Play with your child! Easy summer origami ideas

[For 1-year-olds] Play with your child! Easy summer origami ideas

Last updated:2026/2/19

10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years and as an after-school childcare instructor for 7 years, then took a position as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I engaged in activities that introduced Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational activities, working with many children. Later, through freelance writing, planning, and editing at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and sharing. Drawing on the perspective cultivated in the field of education and my experience as an editor, I provide practical information with an emphasis on both input and output, mainly in areas related to music and children. My hobbies include instruments, singing, handicrafts, toys, drawing, traditional games, the outdoors, and books. My special skill is spinning-top tricks.
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.

Curious and full of wonder, one-year-olds are fascinated by everything around them.

In summer, the heat often keeps us indoors.

At times like that, why not make toys out of origami and play together with your child? Origami toys provide fun stimulation for little ones and are safe to play with, which is a big plus.

Here, we’ve gathered ideas for origami toys that adults can easily make for one-year-olds.

Use these ideas to expand your indoor play options.

Have fun playing and enjoy the summer together with your child!

[Age 1] Play with your child! Easy summer origami ideas (1–10)

Easy Sunflower OrigamiNEW!

Summer Origami [Sunflower] How to Fold: The Easiest Way to Make a Flower ♪ ◇ Origami “SUNFLOWER” Paper Craft Easy Tutorial

Easy Sunflower OrigamiNEW!

Even young children who are just starting with origami can enjoy this easily! First, fold a yellow piece of origami paper in half into a square twice to make crease lines.

From each corner, fold toward the center along the creases you made.

Then open each folded section outward, leaving a small edge, and the sunflower’s petals are complete.

Next, take green origami paper, fold it once into a triangle and unfold it, then fold both sides toward the center along the crease.

Fold one of the sides toward the center once more, and fold the sharpest tip upward to finish the leaf.

Combine it with the flower you made first and display it!

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A flapping pigeon

Origami That Delights Babies: Flapping Pigeon ☆ “Action Pigeon” [With Voice Commentary]

A flapping pigeon

Focus on movement! Here’s an idea for a flapping pigeon that moves.

Many children are drawn to moving toys, right? While origami often brings to mind flat creations, it turns out you can make pieces that move and flap, too! This time, let’s make a cute, flapping pigeon.

All you need is one sheet of origami paper and a pen.

Pigeons are familiar birds for children, aren’t they? If your child enjoys spotting pigeons while out on walks or trips, give this a try!

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Paku-Paku Clip

Origami toy “Pak-Paku Clip” (Biting Clip)

Paku-Paku Clip

You’ll get hooked on the satisfying “snap”! Here are some fun ideas for the Pakupa Clip.

Some kids have trouble tidying up, right? That’s where the Pakupa Clip comes in handy.

For small bits of trash or paper, this trusty clip “snaps” them up and helps clean up.

This time, let’s make one with origami.

All you need is a single sheet of origami paper.

The steps are a bit complex, but the unique mechanism is sure to get kids excited.

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Colorful push pop

[Easy Origami] How to Fold a Push Pop – Origami POP IT Fidget Toy (Pop-It Buttons)

Colorful push pop

Push pop toys are hugely popular with kids.

For children who love pressing buttons, the tiny popping sensation and the satisfying snap when you press those little bumps can be downright addictive.

How about making a push pop out of origami? It’s very simple to make, so you can create lots and play with them.

It’s also fun to try different colors and types of origami paper, or to draw kids’ favorite characters, foods, or vehicles on them.

Since it’s origami, it’s low-cost too, which is a nice bonus.

Imagine the kids’ reactions and give it a try!

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Munch-munch fish

https://www.tiktok.com/@sachimama_asobi/video/7261469033634090258

The opening and closing mouth is so cute! Let me introduce a fun idea for a chompy little fish.

Fish often appear on the dining table, but they also show up a lot in anime, picture books, fingerplay, and songs.

This time, let’s make an adorable fish with a mouth that opens and closes using origami! You’ll need origami paper, round stickers, a permanent marker, and so on.

Solid-color origami looks lovely, but using your favorite patterns or holographic origami will give your fish extra personality.

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Fishing made with origami

[Handmade Toy] Easy with Origami! Fishing 🎣✨ / Perfect for Children's Summer Festival Events♪

Fishing made with origami

Let’s make and play! Here are some ideas for a fishing game made with origami.

When you think of summer, many people probably imagine goldfish scooping at summer festivals, right? On scorching days when it’s hard to go outside, how about enjoying a pretend fishing game indoors? You’ll need origami paper, round stickers, straws, a pen, cellophane tape, and scissors.

When making the fish, the key is to cut the tail into a heart shape! It also sounds fun to freely decorate the fish you make out of origami.

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Nikoniko Slinky

[Playable Origami!] How to Make a Slinky 💙 Easy and Cute Origami | 종이 접기 슬링키

Nikoniko Slinky

When you think of a Slinky, you might picture a Showa-era toy, but it’s still so popular with kids that it’s sold today.

This is an idea to make a Slinky out of origami.

The smiling face on the front is super cute! Quarter-fold a 7.5 cm sheet of origami paper, make a diagonal fold across the center, then perform an inside reverse fold along that crease.

Make 36 of these parts and assemble them.

If a 2-year-old is playing, an adult should make it for them.

Hold it with both hands and try moving it up and down alternately to play!

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