[For 5-year-olds] Let’s make origami! A collection of fun folding ideas
Here are some origami ideas for five-year-olds.
By the time children are five, you’ll often see them helping each other with parts they don’t understand or folding while looking at an origami instruction book.
While respecting each child’s pace, teachers should also enjoy working on these together with the children.
We’re introducing lots of ideas—ones you can fold and play with, as well as cute ones to decorate with or wear—so once the origami is finished, be sure to have fun playing with the children!
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[For 5-year-olds] Let’s Make Origami! A Collection of Fun Folding Ideas (111–120)
Strawberry message card
Let’s deliver a message to someone special! Here are some ideas for a strawberry-themed message card.
You’ll need red or pink origami paper, a pen, and some stickers.
A strawberry message card is a lovely way to send a heartfelt note to someone important to you.
Make a strawberry shape using red or pink origami paper, then add cute designs with a pen and stickers to create your own original card.
It’s an easy way to give a little gift or express your gratitude, and it’s perfect for enjoying message exchanges with family or friends.
Rabbit amulet
A gift for someone special! Here’s an idea for making a rabbit charm out of origami.
You’ll need origami paper in your favorite colors, white origami paper cut into 7.5 cm squares, white round stickers, colored pens, thread, tape, and glue or double-sided tape.
It’s perfect not only as a personal charm but also as a gift for someone you care about.
Make the charm with colorful origami paper, and use the white paper and stickers to have a cute rabbit peek out! Adding decorations with thread and tape makes it practical too, and you’ll end up with a lovely charm.
rice ball
With spring’s arrival, many preschools and kindergartens likely enjoy field trips and longer strolls.
Here’s an origami idea to go with that theme: how to fold a rice ball (onigiri).
Prepare a sheet of black origami paper to represent the nori (seaweed).
Fold it in half twice into a square to make creases, then unfold.
Fold three corners toward the center point.
Flip the paper over, then fold the remaining corner up so its tip meets the center point.
Next, slightly fold the corners to round the shape, and your onigiri is complete! On the small white “rice” area that shows, draw your favorite filling, or add a red round sticker to make it look like an umeboshi (pickled plum) onigiri—it looks delicious.
ghost
Here’s how to make a ghost.
Prepare one sheet of origami paper and let’s get started.
Fold the paper into a square and crease it to make a cross.
Fold the left and right sides toward the center, then fold the top and bottom corners toward the creases.
Add diagonal creases and unfold.
Using the creases as guides, fold each half while gently puffing it up.
Open the top-right triangle to puff it up and fold, then fold the ghost’s arms.
The key is to fold the left and right arms so they puff out and form trapezoid shapes.
Fold the top and bottom corners, flip it over, tuck both arms inward, and you’re done.
Give it a try!
Accordion-folded butterfly
A beautiful silhouette is the highlight! Here’s an idea for an accordion-fold butterfly.
Accordion folding creates fine pleats by making alternating creases in the paper.
When you open the accordion-folded paper, it takes on a fan-like shape, and by using this technique you can make three-dimensional shapes and items with movement—highly recommended! You can complete an accordion butterfly with just a single sheet of origami paper in your favorite color or pattern, so it’s easy to get started.
Definitely give it a try!
bamboo shoot
The plump, rounded shape is so cute! Here’s a fun bamboo shoot craft idea.
Bamboo shoots are in season in spring, and their texture and aroma are distinctive, aren’t they? Some preschools may even let children handle bamboo shoots as part of food education.
This time, let’s make a bamboo shoot out of origami! All you need is one sheet of brown origami paper.
If you make crisp, precise folds as you go, it will turn out beautifully.
For display, creating green accents like bamboo leaves or stalks will make it look more vibrant, so it’s highly recommended.
Give it a try!
acorn
Recommended for autumn crafts! Here are some acorn ideas.
For children, acorns feel like little treasures found in nature.
When autumn comes, many kids excitedly tell you with sparkling eyes, “I found an acorn!” during walks or outings.
This time, let’s try making those charming acorns with origami.
For the finished acorns, you can use round stickers to add faces, or draw patterns with colored pencils—it sounds fun, doesn’t it?