[Childcare] Make it in April! Recommended easy origami folds

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.
9 years of experience as a nursery school teacherShibata Risa
I am an active nursery school teacher with 9 years of experience. After graduating from university, I worked at a daycare center. The time I spent happily with children—playing piano, singing songs, and doing finger-play—are priceless memories to me. Currently, while raising three children of my own, I work at an after-school day service, engaging with children and providing individualized developmental support. Drawing on my diverse experiences as a childcare worker and as a mother, I hope to express and convey my thoughts through writing.

In April, when the new school year begins, children at daycare and kindergarten start life in a new environment, and some may feel nervous or even cry.

So this time, we’re sharing origami ideas perfect for April that will bring smiles to their faces.

There are plenty of motifs that capture the warmth of spring—flowers and insects, of course, as well as fruits and animals associated with Easter! Find something you’d love to make with the children and give it a try.

If you display their creations on the wall, you can enjoy spring indoors, too! Surrounded by a springtime atmosphere, we hope you can start a wonderful year with warm, cheerful feelings.

[Childcare] Make it in April! Recommended Easy Origami Folding Methods (51–60)

Puku-Puku Strawberry

Let’s make a cute, puffy strawberry using tissue paper! You’ll need a clear gift bag, red or pink tissue paper, round stickers, and colored construction paper.

First, crumple the tissue paper into balls and fill the gift bag.

Seal the top of the bag with cellophane tape, then tape the bottom corners so the bag forms a pointed strawberry shape.

Use round stickers to represent the strawberry seeds.

Finally, cut a leafy cap shape out of green construction paper and attach it with double-sided tape to finish.

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utatane

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Puchi-puchi butterfly

As spring arrives, we see butterflies more often, don’t we? Let’s make springtime butterflies using bubble wrap! We’ll use the bubble wrap to create the wings.

Cut the bubble wrap into rectangles and draw butterfly patterns on it with permanent markers.

It could be fun to draw on either the bumpy side or the smooth, flat side on the back.

Pinch the center tightly with a pipe cleaner to form the middle, then make the butterfly’s body and face with colored paper and glue them on to finish.

You can also use a pipe cleaner to create the antennae.

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utatane

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Origami Tulip

Seasonal flowers and motifs are often incorporated into craft play with origami.

This time, how about folding a tulip in origami—a cute flower with a plump bloom? There are various ways to fold it, but a relatively simple method I recommend is: first fold into a triangle, then fold that triangle in half again, open it once, fold both sides inward symmetrically, and finally tuck three corners inward to finish.

Just like in the children’s song “Tulips,” try making lots in bright red, white, and yellow!

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utatane

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Shinkansen

@hoikushi_bank
Can even a two-year-old do it?! Introducing 3 easy origami projects ✨#origami Origami #Bus Yacht Shinkansen
♬ Cartoon-style piano solo jazz(853970) – motofuji

Let’s try folding a Shinkansen—the kids’ favorite—out of origami! This video shows how to fold a bus, a yacht, and a Shinkansen.

They all use basic techniques centered on mountain and valley folds, so even toddlers can enjoy folding them! By changing the color of the paper for the Shinkansen, you can also make versions like Komachi and Hayabusa, so be sure to try different origami papers.

As an introduction, reading a picture book or preparing an illustrated book about vehicles can make the origami activity even more enjoyable.

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hiyoko sensei

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Paper Copter

@n.annlee321
A simple paper copter you can make with origami ♪ The movement is so fun!#AtHomePlay #AtHomePlay Origami origami Origami folding instructions Origami Challenge #OuchiMonte #AtHomeMontessori Educational Finger Dexterity Education
♬ Nerd Strut (Instrumental) – Gen Hoshino

A simple mechanism that’s so much fun! Here’s a paper helicopter idea.

All you need is origami paper cut to half size and a pair of scissors.

It’s an origami idea with a fascinating, mysterious way of flying! Cut the origami paper in half, then make slits with scissors as you fold.

The finished paper helicopter twirls and flutters as it falls, which is really entertaining.

Instead of flying high, you enjoy watching it drift down slowly, so it’s safe and suitable even for two-year-olds.

It’s simple, yet the movement is very unique, making it something you’ll want to play with over and over again.

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