Lovely childcare

[Childcare] Recommended for 3-year-olds! Origami ideas with a winter theme

Deputy Editor of RAG MUSICsasashina
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSIC. JFC-certified fact-checker. I’m Sasashina, a mom currently raising an elementary schooler and a preschooler. During my student years at Kyoto College of Science and Technology, I studied a wide range of fields including sound, lighting, and video technology, building a foundation in comprehensive stage production and creative expression. After graduation, I joined a music production company, where I still work, consistently building experience in production and engaging in a variety of music-centered tasks. Currently, I mainly handle articles for children, drawing on what I’ve learned about parenting and what I feel and discover through daily interactions with my kids. I hope my work can be of help to you, even in a small way!
20 years of experience as a nursery teacher / kindergarten teacherhiyoko sensei
I’m Hiyoko-sensei, a former nursery school teacher from Hyogo Prefecture. Ever since I was five, my dream was to become a childcare worker, and before I knew it, 20 years had passed since I achieved that dream. Through singing and playing with the children, I kept working with the spirit of someone in their twenties, even as I increasingly felt my physical limits year by year (haha). From here on, I’d like to share helpful information carefully and thoughtfully, drawing on my on-site experience.

In childcare settings for three-year-olds who are beginning to learn finger play and how to use toys, origami is often used.

Some of you may be looking for origami instructions that match the winter season, which brings various events like Christmas and playing in the snow.

In this article, we’ve picked simple, low-step origami ideas with a winter theme.

It’s also a great idea to display the pieces made together with friends at the nursery school.

Prepare colorful origami paper and try winter origami that lets children’s creativity flourish.

[Childcare] Recommended for 3-year-olds! Origami ideas with a winter theme (51–60)

white leek

[Origami] White Scallion (Green Onion): Easy 3D Folding Method — Winter Origami Kids Can Make from Age 3; Vegetable; Step-by-Step for Children; Origami for December, January, and February [Origami]

white leek

Leeks are a star winter vegetable, especially in hot pot dishes! Here’s a fun idea: making a leek out of origami.

Use a strip of origami paper made by cutting a 15 cm sheet into quarters.

Place the paper vertically with the colored side facing up, then fold up the bottom edge.

Make sure the colored section and the white section are about the same size.

Fold the paper in half by overlapping the left and right sides, open it, then fold both sides inward to meet the center crease.

Make vertical cuts only in the colored section, then fold the paper in half along the center line.

Finally, take one of the split sections created by the cuts and fold it diagonally—and you’re done!

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Chinese cabbage

[Origami] Chinese Cabbage – Easy 3D Folding Method | Winter Origami for Ages 3+ | Vegetable | Kid-Friendly Instructions | Origami for December, January, and February [Origami]

Chinese cabbage

Let’s make Chinese cabbage with origami, which is in season through winter! First, fold the paper into a triangle twice to create crease lines, then unfold it back to the original square.

Next, fold the bottom edge diagonally upward: keep the lower-left corner pointed, and lift only the lower-right corner as you fold.

Fold the left edge in the same way, then flip the paper over and place it so the pointed part is at the bottom.

Fold the bottom point up to align with the extensions of the left and right corners, then flip the paper over again.

Fold both sides inward to form a triangle shape, then fold them back outward.

Fold the top corner down, flip the paper over, and tuck in the two side triangle corners and the two bottom corners to the back.

You’re done!

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Kadomatsu

[Origami] New Year’s “Kadomatsu” Ornament Made Together with a 3-Year-Old

Kadomatsu

Speaking of classic New Year’s decorations, this one—the kadomatsu—comes to mind.

You’ll make it by layering two sheets of origami paper: one green and one with a traditional Japanese pattern.

If you have good double-sided origami paper, feel free to use that instead.

Stack the papers, fold them into a triangle twice, then unfold and fold the top and bottom corners to the center.

Next, fold the top and bottom edges to the center line, then return it to the previous folded state.

Using the creases from the second fold, make step folds (accordion folds) at the top and bottom.

Rotate the paper 90 degrees, fold up the bottom section twice to refine the shape, and glue the folded-up part to secure it.

Decorate cutely with stickers, and you’re done!

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A house covered with snow

[Winter Origami] How to Fold a Snow-Covered House with Voice Commentary ☆ Origami Snow House Tutorial / Tatsukuri

A house covered with snow

Let’s make a house with a snow-covered roof using origami.

It’s a great idea for winter wall displays, too.

Fold the origami paper into a triangle, then fold the top corner down to meet the bottom edge.

Fold it the same way once more, then open the paper back to its original shape.

Fold the top corner down to the nearest crease, then fold the top edge to align with the vertical center line to form the roof shape.

Turn the paper over, fold the top corner down along the topmost crease, and fold it again to form the roof shape.

Turn the paper over and repeat the same folds once more.

Turn the paper over again, fold the left and right corners toward the center, then slide the top layer upward and tuck it inside.

Finally, fold up the remaining bottom section to the height you want for the house, and you’re done! It looks cute if you add windows made from another piece of origami paper.

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In conclusion

We’ve introduced simple origami ideas we’d recommend even for three-year-olds trying origami for the first time.

By making seasonal pieces like Santa Claus and snowmen, events will feel even more festive.

In addition to folding, decorating with beads or stickers is also a great idea.

Origami gives children a sense of accomplishment and the fun of moving their fingers—so be sure to give it a try.