[Childcare] A roundup of easy summer origami ideas to enjoy with 5-year-olds
As the number of hot days increases, children at daycare and kindergarten tend to spend more time playing indoors.
Here, we’ll introduce some simple origami perfect for summer that five-year-olds can enjoy.
Origami involves using the hands, which helps develop dexterity, and turning favorite things into shapes also nurtures thinking skills.
While playing, children can also learn the joy of cooperation.
Brainstorm ideas with your child and try making a variety of creations.
Spend a fun summer with the children using origami that brings a sense of coolness!
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[Childcare] A roundup of simple summer origami ideas to enjoy with 5-year-olds (111–120)
Cute crab

Here’s an introduction to a crab you can make with a single sheet of origami paper.
It has four legs and really captures a crab-like look.
First, make the creases and form a triangle.
It’s a bit tricky, so it’s best to take your time and guide children with calm instructions.
The key for the legs is to fold them with even spacing.
Once you make the eyes and attach them, it’s complete.
Some five-year-olds may have eaten or seen crabs before.
Encourage them to recall those experiences as you make it together.
Shaved ice with a spoon

On those scorching summer days when it’s too hot to play outside, how about making a cool and delicious-looking origami shaved ice? All you need are two sheets of origami paper: one for the “bowl” and one for the “ice.” For the “spoon,” use the paper leftover from cutting out the ice.
Fold it so that the syrup part shows in color.
The key is to freely cut with scissors to create the look of syrup.
Slip the ice and spoon into the pouch-like bowl to finish.
Since you don’t need glue, it’s an easy project to try.
Pop-style whale origami

Let’s fold a cute, pop-style whale with an adorable tail.
First, place the origami with the white side facing up and fold it in half horizontally.
Next, fold the right corner up to meet the top edge.
Fold the opposite side the same way along the crease.
Open it up, then invert the folds along the creases to tuck the paper inward.
Fold the right corner slightly upward.
Fold just the tip of the top layer downward, separate the attached layers, then reassemble them.
Tuck in the lower part of the tail so the front layer aligns neatly with the back layer.
Next, fold the left corner to meet the bottom-right corner.
Using the new crease, fold the left corner downward.
Then fold the back layer the same way along the same crease to the reverse side.
Shape the head, fold the tail upward, and you’re done.
Add a face with round stickers or draw details with colored pens.
Realistic soft-serve ice cream made with two sheets of origami paper

Here’s an origami soft-serve ice cream with a cute swirl.
First, fold the ice cream part into a triangle.
With the crease in the center, fold both sides inward.
Next, fold the top corner down.
Open everything once, fold the top corner first, then refold by bringing the left and right sides over from the top.
Fold the bottom corner up to the center of the top edge.
Open it, then fold up twice along the crease.
Turn it upside down, and fold the bottom edge up to meet the center crease.
Fold the bottom edge up to the center once more.
Flip it over, then fold so that the crease lines align with the top crease.
Neaten the top corner, then lightly fold the left and right sides.
Lightly fold multiple small corners, match it with an ice cream cone made from brown origami paper, and you’re done!
3D origami lantern

Here’s how to make a cute 3D lantern out of origami.
Fold up 1 cm from the bottom guideline of the origami paper, then flip it over and fold the bottom edge up to the crease.
Turn it back over and fold the bottom edge up another 1 cm.
Next, rotate the paper vertically and fold it in half.
Fold it in half two more times.
Open everything, apply glue along the center crease, and fold along the crease to stick it down.
Using the glued section, open one side outward.
Using the longer side, cut along the fold lines with scissors.
Cut off the two folds at the ends with scissors.
Apply glue to the cut ends, shape them so they puff out, and stick them down.
Apply glue to the blank margin of the cut-off section, wrap it around into a circle, and form the lantern shape.
Attach black origami bands to the top and bottom and add a chenille-stem handle to finish.



