[For 4-year-olds] Recommended for August! Craft ideas: Enjoy a variety of motifs
As August arrives, summer is in full swing, and many teachers may be wondering how best to spend those hot days.
There may be only a limited number of days when you can go outdoors.
At such times, try incorporating craft activities full of summer atmosphere so children can enjoy the season, at least in spirit.
Four-year-olds have blossoming imaginations, so we’ve gathered ideas that let them freely enjoy expressing themselves.
Please use these as a reference.
Because the children’s creations are regarded as works (art pieces), we use the term “seisaku” (制作) in the text to refer to them.
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[For 4-year-olds] Recommended for August! Craft ideas: Enjoy a variety of motifs (11–20)
A fish with colorful scales
In summer, we often go to the beach or play in rivers, which means lots of chances to get close to fish.
So let’s try making a cute fish craft with colorful scales! Cut construction paper into the shape of a fish and stick on an eye.
For the scales, draw circles on origami paper, cut them out with scissors, fold each one in half, and glue them onto the fish.
Prepare origami in a variety of colors so children can choose their favorites.
If you include transparent or glittery origami, your fish will have a fresh, summery look.
Plump Wind Chime
How about making a wind chime out of origami that captures the feeling of summer with its cool tone and a strip of paper swaying in the breeze? First, fold the origami paper in half into a square twice.
Next, draw lines on the square as if shaping flower petals, then cut along the lines with scissors.
Snip off a tiny bit in the center so there’s a small hole.
Open the paper; once it looks like a flower, gather the tips of the petals toward the center, overlap them, and glue them down.
Finally, thread a string through and attach a tanzaku (paper strip) to the string to finish.
If you thread a small bell onto the string, it will make a sound and feel even more like a wind chime.
This softly rounded, cute wind chime is perfect to make and display by your window!
Paku-Paku Goldfish
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For the hot summer, a great recommendation for preschoolers is the “Munch-Munch Goldfish” origami.
Fold it, open it up, and move its mouth, and it looks just like a goldfish from a scooping game swimming around.
Use cool-colored origami paper for a fresh look that instantly boosts the summer vibe.
Once finished, kids can show their goldfish to friends or use them for pretend play—the possibilities are endless.
Many children get hooked and say, “I want to make another one!” fostering imagination while using their fingertips.
Display them on the wall to instantly create a nostalgic atmosphere.
It’s an origami idea full of seasonal charm—fun to fold, delightful to display, and memorable too.
Penguin you can make with two sheets of origami paper
I will show you how to make a cute penguin that feels cool for summer.
Prepare two sheets of origami paper, round stickers, and glue, and let’s get started.
We’ll begin with the penguin’s face.
Take one sheet of origami and fold one corner by about one third.
Flip it over, then fold the left, right, and bottom edges to form the shape of the penguin’s face.
For the body, fold the left and right sides of the origami diagonally, flip it over, then fold up the tip of the bottom section to finish.
Attach the face and body together, then add the beak, eyes, and facial expression to create your cute penguin.
How to fold a rhinoceros beetle origami for children aged 4 and up
Let’s fold a rhinoceros beetle, a big favorite among children.
Prepare one sheet of origami paper and fold it into a triangle.
Fold both sides toward the center line.
Then, fold toward the center line again, leaving a gap about the width of 3–4 toothpicks, and make a crease by folding the corner up toward the tip.
Following the creases, make step folds, and also fold the corners so the beetle’s shape becomes nicely rounded.
Once the shape is set, make a small cut with scissors on the beetle’s horn area and twist it to create a cool-looking horn.
When you’re done, display it on a wall or elsewhere and enjoy!
Easy shaved ice
The summer-filled “Easy Shaved Ice” is an origami idea that even preschoolers can enjoy: with just one sheet of paper, you make both the cup and the ice, then finish by drawing syrup with a pen.
Coloring while imagining your favorite flavors—red for strawberry, green for melon, blue for Blue Hawaii—is a huge hit with kids.
Even with the same shape, each piece shows personality depending on how it’s colored, sparking lively chats like, “What flavor should mine be?” Hang them on the wall and they instantly become a refreshing display! It’s the perfect origami for creating summer memories and expanding children’s imagination.
[Age 4] Recommended for August! Craft ideas: Enjoy a variety of motifs (21–30)
Easy and cute morning glories
Let’s make a summer symbol, the morning glory, with origami.
Fold the paper into a triangle three times.
Prepare scissors and cut the top of the triangle diagonally.
Be careful not to cut the inner triangular section while cutting.
Open the paper and fold the four corners inward along the lines.
Turn the paper over, fold the corners, shape it into a morning glory, and you’re done.
The steps are simple, so give it a try.
Wrapping paper tape to make a vine and decorating it is a lovely touch too.