[Preschool] Recommended for 3-year-olds! Easy-to-make fall origami craft ideas
Autumn brings many foods at their peak, and there are fun events like moon-viewing and Halloween.
Children in daycare and kindergarten are also eagerly looking forward to the fall festivities.
So this time, we’re introducing origami ideas with an autumn theme that are perfect for 3-year-olds! Many of them are easy to make with simple steps, and we feature a variety of types—like foods and animals—so children can broaden their interests as they fold.
Find your favorite origami and enjoy the feeling of autumn indoors!
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[Childcare] Recommended for 3-year-olds! Easy-to-make autumn origami craft ideas (11–20)
Autumn Origami Dragonfly
Seeing dragonflies flying makes you feel autumn, doesn’t it? Here’s an idea for making a dragonfly using two sheets of origami paper.
For both sheets, first do a cushion fold once, then flip the paper over and fold the top and bottom corners to the center.
Rotate the paper 90 degrees, flip it over, and squash the top and bottom pocket-like sections into a boat shape.
From here the steps differ, since this idea makes the wings and body separately.
For the wings, once you have the boat, fold the top and bottom to meet the center line, then fold the four left and right corners outward from the slit to create triangular creases.
Use those creases to make inside reverse folds, and the wings are done.
For the body, while pulling the right corner of the boat inward, pull the corner on the back straight out to the side.
Fold the opposite corner inward, then fold the top and bottom edges to meet the center line.
The right corner becomes the dragonfly’s tail, so align the orientation and insert it into the wings.
After inserting, slim the tail a bit more, add eyes, and you’re finished.
Cute little squirrel!
A squirrel you can make from a single sheet of origami—also great for November wall displays—is a perfect craft for preschoolers.
Fold the paper into a triangle, then fold up the left and right sides to form a cup shape.
After folding down the tip of the paper, create the squirrel’s belly.
For the tail, make horizontal snips into the flappy triangular part of the paper.
Be careful not to cut all the way through.
Draw the face to finish.
To give the tail a fluffy look, you might curl it with a ballpoint pen to add some movement.
Perfect for autumn! How to fold a mushroom (origami)
When it comes to autumn flavors, mushrooms are a classic! Let me show you how to make a mushroom using just one sheet of origami paper.
First, fold the paper in half into a rectangle, then fold it in half again to make a square.
Unfold it completely, then fold two corners toward the center.
Flip it over and fold the bottom half upward.
Flip it back, tuck the left and right sides inward, then fold the whole piece in half.
Fold down only the white section, then tuck the white part inside to finish.
For the mushroom cap, tuck in the corners to round the shape overall.
It might look cute if you draw some patterns on it, too!
Cute dragonfly origami
Let’s make a red dragonfly out of origami, which you often see in November.
Prepare two sheets of origami paper and make the body and wings as separate parts.
For the body, fold the paper horizontally toward the center in half three times to shape it.
For the wings, make a crease by folding in half, then fold both sides toward the center line and round the corners by folding them in.
Finally, apply glue to the entire body piece, sandwich the wings in between, and press to attach—done! The steps are simple, so this is a recommended folding project for preschool-aged children.
Give it a try!
Cute! Horsetail Origami
Let’s make a cute horsetail (tsukushi) using 15×7.5 cm origami paper.
First, place the white side of the paper facing up and fold it into a square by bringing the top and bottom edges together.
Open it once the crease is made, then fold the bottom edge up to meet the crease.
Rotate the paper 90 degrees to the right and turn it over, then fold the top and bottom edges inward to make it into thirds.
Create the hakama (pleated trousers) look by making two step folds (valley–mountain) on the white section, then fold the top and bottom inward toward the center.
At this point, it’s easier if you squash-fold the right corner into a triangle.
Finally, fold all four corners of the brown section inward, and you’re done.
Recommended for walls too! How to fold a ginkgo leaf
Around November, when autumn deepens, the autumn leaves are at their most beautiful.
It’s also a great time to enjoy the foliage with children by folding origami.
This ginkgo leaf can be made with just one sheet of origami paper.
First, fold the paper into a triangle twice to create crease lines.
Fold both sides toward the center line, then fold the bottom tip upward to form the ginkgo shape.
The key is to use your fingertips to make crisp, firm creases.
Using brightly colored paper like orange or yellow will let you create a lovely, large ginkgo tree.
A cute autumn tree made of origami
Let’s make a simple autumn tree using origami.
Prepare two sheets of origami paper and create separate parts for the leaves and the trunk.
For the leaves, fold into triangles and squares, pressing firmly with your fingers to set crisp creases.
Following the creases, fold everything inward as if tucking it inside.
If it’s difficult, have an adult help.
Once you shape the corners into leaf-like points, the leaf section is complete.
For the trunk, fold along the center line to create a three-dimensional shape.
Attach the leaves and trunk together to finish.
It’s also nice to use different paper colors for a more autumnal look.
Realistic fallen leaves you can make with origami!
Red, yellow, green, brown… Autumn begins with colorful foliage and is a season to enjoy leaves in many shades.
So why not make fallen leaves with origami, too? They’re great for wall decorations and a handy idea to remember.
To prepare, fold the origami paper in half top to bottom to make a rectangle, place it with the fold at the bottom, then crease diagonally from the top right corner to the bottom left corner and cut along the crease with scissors.
You’ll use the remaining triangular piece of origami paper.
Fold the top corner of the triangle down to meet the base to halve it, then repeat this same fold three more times.
Next, unfold the paper and refold it in an accordion (zigzag) pattern.
Fold the origami in half, bringing the left and right sides together, glue the inner layers, adjust the shape, and you’re done.
Make with Origami! Autumn Insect: Cricket
When it comes to autumn insects popular with children, crickets come to mind.
Prepare one sheet of origami paper.
Fold it in half into a triangle twice, then stand the triangular section up and gently squash it into a square.
Fold the left and right sides toward the center line, then fold the entire top triangular section forward.
Open up the folded part and spread it so it becomes a diamond shape.
Once you’ve made the cricket’s head and legs, it’s done.
Some children may find the squashing-into-a-square step difficult, so please have an adult help them in that case.
Finish by drawing the eyes.
Make crickets with different expressions, line them up, and enjoy!
Cute persimmons perfect for autumn
A quintessential autumn fruit! Let me show you how to make a persimmon.
Prepare one 15 cm square of orange origami paper and one 7.5 cm square of green origami paper.
First, fold the top and bottom edges of the 15 cm paper to meet at the center to make a rectangle.
Rotate the paper 90 degrees to a vertical orientation, then fold it in half top to bottom to make a crease.
Next, fold the top and bottom toward that center crease again, but fold slightly short of the crease rather than exactly on it.
Make the folds so that the folded sections and the remaining central section are the same width.
Finally, fold all four corners inward to complete the fruit.
For the leaf, do a “zabuton” fold three times with the green paper.
On the third time, slightly fold the corners first, then fold toward the center.
Flip the paper over, open and flatten the four pouch-like sections, then fold the corners to finish.
Attach it to the fruit to complete your persimmon.