Ideas for Easy Winter Origami Crafts That Even 2-Year-Olds Will Love
Since it’s the cold season, how about enjoying some indoor origami play? Here, we’ll introduce simple winter origami ideas that you can do together with two-year-olds.
From Santa Claus and Christmas trees to snow bunnies, there are plenty of creations that capture the season! The activities also include elements that promote children’s fine motor development, such as aligning corners and using glue.
All of the projects feature simple steps, making them perfect for fun, hands-on creation in childcare settings—so give them a try.
Because the children’s work is regarded as “artworks,” we use the term “seisaku” (制作) in the text to refer to their creations.
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Ideas for Easy Winter Origami Crafts That Even 2-Year-Olds Will Love (1–10)
Mt. Fuji made with three folds
@miminichijo122 How to make an ultra-ultra-ultra simple Mount FujiOrigami
♫ Original song – Mimi – Mimi
Perfect for toddlers folding origami for the first time! Here’s how to make Mount Fuji in just three folds.
It also makes a great New Year’s decoration.
All you need is one sheet of light blue or blue origami paper.
First, place the paper colored side down and fold it into a triangle.
Next, fold down just a little bit of the top layer’s tip.
Then fold that folded tip back up so its edge lines up with the side—done! It’s also great practice for making straight folds, so try it together with your kids.
You can glue it onto construction paper and draw the first sunrise of the year with crayons around it for a cute touch—have fun getting creative!
Stylish Christmas tree
Here’s a stylish Christmas tree idea that lets you enjoy an art-like finish.
Why not make a festive item that also works as a wall decoration? Prepare origami paper in lots of colors and patterns, then cut it into long, thin strips.
The length doesn’t have to be fixed, so it’s fun to let kids tear the paper themselves.
Glue the strips onto a tree base made from construction paper, then add a star and a trunk.
Finally, use a cotton swab dipped in white paint to stamp on “snow,” and your Christmas tree is complete.
This origami idea also supports early learning by encouraging free hand movement and fine motor skills.
Santa Claus with a tingling beard
Here’s an origami idea you can enjoy with a one-year-old, letting them have fun with the ripping sensation of tearing paper.
Let’s make a winter origami craft featuring Santa, who visits at Christmas! Create Santa’s hat and face parts from construction paper, and apply double-sided tape to the face in advance.
Then, with the children, tear copy paper into small pieces to make Santa’s white beard.
If you make small cuts in the paper beforehand, it will tear more easily—highly recommended.
Finally, stick the hat and beard onto the face, add eye stickers, and you’re done.
Ideas for Easy Winter Origami Crafts That Even 2-Year-Olds Will Love (11–20)
Daruma made by sticking pieces on
This daruma origami is perfect for one-year-olds who enjoy sticking pieces of paper.
Paste a face illustration onto a sheet of construction paper cut into a daruma shape.
It’s also nice to draw facial expressions and add a bit of blush together with the children.
Finally, let them freely stick on pieces of cut chiyogami paper to finish.
It’s best for teachers or guardians to handle the cutting, and then work with the children on pasting the pieces onto the base.
This is a great origami idea for winter childcare that brings out a traditional Japanese feel.
Torn-Paper Origami Lion Dance
A torn-origami shishimai craft that toddlers can enjoy making together.
How about creating an origami project themed around ema (votive plaques) traditionally displayed at New Year? Prepare a base cut into the shape of an ema and pieces of origami and chiyogami paper torn into small bits.
After sticking the origami and chiyogami onto the base, make a shishimai (lion dance) face and attach it.
Finally, punch a hole with a hole punch, tie it with tape or string, and it’s done.
This is an origami idea where kids can have fun tearing paper and sticking it on.
Give this Japanese-style decoration a try—you can display it on doors or walls.
Christmas candy
Cute for Christmas decorations! Here’s how to make a Christmas candy out of a single sheet of origami paper.
First, place the paper colored-side down, slightly offset the corners, and fold it into a triangle.
Next, flip it over, fold the bottom edge up just a little, then roll it upward tightly.
Glue the tip to secure, and make the candy shape by folding one end diagonally twice.
Round the corners with small folds, glue them down, and you’re done! Try making them in different colors and decorate for Christmas!
Cute for winter! Origami wreath
How about a wreath that lets children express their creativity during the winter season? You can make each part with just two folds of origami paper, and connecting the parts completes the wreath.
If you prepare origami in a variety of colors, children can freely enjoy choosing colors and create items full of seasonal charm.
By slightly changing where you fold, you can also freely alter the shape of the wreath.
Displaying the finished wreath helps boost their sense of accomplishment, too.
Why not make winter memories by creating origami wreaths together?
