[Origami] Simple Origami Ideas to Feel the Spring with 3-Year-Olds
How about incorporating origami into a spring craft project for three-year-olds?
Around age three, children’s vocabulary grows, and more of them start showing interest in colors and shapes.
We’ve gathered plenty of spring-themed origami ideas that are perfect for three-year-olds.
There aren’t many folding steps, and the instructions are simple, so even children who aren’t used to origami can enjoy folding!
In addition to folding, there are also ideas that involve cutting with scissors.
We’re introducing lots of spring motifs that kids will be eager to make, so please use them for inspiration.
Because we regard what the children create as “artworks,” we use the term “seisaku (制作)” in the main text.
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[Origami] Simple Origami Ideas (91–100) to Feel the Spring with 3-Year-Olds
Easter Triangle Garland
Easter is a celebratory event held in spring.
Easter is set as the Sunday following the first full moon after the spring equinox.
There’s also a game where children hide and search for colorful eggs called Easter eggs in the yard.
The rabbit that carries the Easter eggs is also an important motif.
Let’s try making a garland with colorful Easter eggs that evoke spring and cute animals like rabbits.
By following the same steps—such as folding origami paper in half—you can create the individual parts for both the eggs and the animals.
Draw faces on the folded origami, add ribbons, and connect them with a string to finish.
Using ribbon instead of string can be lovely as well.
Spring wreath with tulips and butterflies
When you see tulips and butterflies, you can really feel the spring vibe, right? Let’s make a spring-themed wreath with origami tulips and butterflies.
For the base, use a paper plate with the center cut out and paint it your favorite color.
Prepare origami paper cut into four equal squares, and fold tulips and butterflies.
Fold a square in half into a triangle, then fold the corners upward to complete the tulip.
For the butterfly, make an accordion fold and attach a pipe cleaner in the middle.
Arrange and glue them onto the paper plate wreath however you like to finish it.
You can also draw leaf shapes on construction paper, cut them out, and add them for a nice touch.
It looks like you’ll end up with a wreath full of children’s free and creative ideas.
Tulip and Ladybug
On a warm spring day, when you head outdoors, you might catch sight of tulips in full bloom and ladybugs, too.
Let’s try making this spring scene with origami.
Both the tulip and the ladybug can be made with simple steps.
For the ladybug’s spots, try sticking on small dot stickers or drawing them with a pen.
Ladybugs are one of the insects kids love, so they’ll likely enjoy making them with excitement.
Tear green construction paper into thin, long strips for leaves and glue them onto a backing sheet.
It will enhance the feel of a spring meadow even more.
Rapeseed flowers made using many small origami pieces
Rape blossoms bloom in spring along flower beds and riverbanks.
If you look closely, each blossom forms a cluster.
You can recreate that feature with origami, too.
The method is simple: just fold the four corners of the paper toward the center and you’re done.
It’s easier if you first fold the paper in half, then in half again to make crease lines.
You can make just the flower portions, but try making lots of blossoms and adding stems and leaves.
When you decorate a wall with many rape blossoms, the whole surface takes on a springtime feel.
Making a bento with origami
When the weather gets warmer, we tend to spend more time outdoors for things like field trips and picnics.
Time spent outside can be a special experience for children, different from life indoors.
One of the highlights of outings like field trips and picnics is the packed lunch, don’t you think? So here’s an introduction to making a bento using crumpled origami.
Use tissue paper to make rice balls (onigiri), and crumpled origami to make side dishes like fried chicken, broccoli, and rolled omelet.
Pack them into containers and colorful food cups sold at 100-yen shops, and your bento is complete.
A key tip is to tear black origami and stick it on as the seaweed for the onigiri.
Torn-paper collage: Cherry tree
Why not enjoy making a cherry tree in full bloom with torn-paper art? First, draw the tree trunk on construction paper with a crayon.
Next, tear pink origami paper into small pieces.
Apply glue to the spots on the paper where you want the cherry blossoms to bloom, then start sticking on the torn pieces.
If you want to layer them, try putting glue on the origami pieces themselves.
It’s a good idea to prepare pinks with different shades and some light orange.
It’s a very simple craft, but the color choices of the origami change the mood of the cherry blossoms and bring out each child’s individuality.
A simple butterfly made by cutting slits
Let’s make an origami butterfly that flutters around like it’s in a spring flower field.
You only need one sheet of origami paper, and the steps are simple.
Turn your chosen size of origami paper over and fold it so the corners meet to make a triangle.
Fold it in half again to make a smaller triangle.
Open the paper and cut along the crease you just made.
Fold diagonally again starting from the cut, and you’re done.
You can use patterned origami paper, or add your own designs for a charming finish.
Kids can enjoy creating with their own free ideas.
In conclusion
We introduced plenty of spring craft ideas using origami.
There were lots of ideas that seem perfect for getting three-year-olds excited and engaged.
Rather than focusing too much on folding perfectly, let’s help children enjoy expressing their ideas with origami.
It would be wonderful if completing their creations gives them a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment, and makes them think, “I want to make more!” Enjoy creating lovely, spring-themed projects together with the children.