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[Childcare] Simple fall origami ideas
Speaking of autumn, there are lots of events kids look forward to, like field trips, Halloween, and moon-viewing.
It’s also a comfortable season to spend time outside, so going for a walk to collect acorns and red and yellow leaves is lots of fun.
In this article, I’ll introduce origami ideas that are perfect for autumn.
I’ve gathered projects with simple steps that children can fold, so please give them a try.
You can string several finished pieces together to make a hanging decoration, or use the folded creations to make an autumn-themed wall display.
[Childcare] Easy fall origami ideas (1–10)
fox
Let’s make an autumn-colored fox in origami with yellowish-brown fur! It’s best to make the head and body separately and combine them afterward.
For the head, fold a triangle, then fold both ends upward so it forms the fox’s long, narrow face.
For the body, just fold a triangle and then fold one end diagonally—done! Put these together and your fox is complete.
Draw the eyes and nose with a pen afterward.
You can also make foxes in different sizes to create a parent and child, or fox friends playing together.
mushroom
As one of the quintessential foods of autumn, mushrooms are surely indispensable.
The way they peek out from between fallen leaves has a certain charm.
Let’s try making mushrooms using origami.
The key point is to make fine creases to create the mushroom’s rounded shape.
By adjusting the folding method and cleverly using the reverse side of the paper, you can complete an adorable mushroom with differently colored cap and stem.
Their simple cuteness makes them perfect as accents in drawings or as part of decorations.
dragonfly
Let’s make a dragonfly out of origami, like the ones you see flying around in the fall! First, fold the paper in half into a triangle twice, with the colored side facing out.
Next, open the flaps of the triangle on both sides and squash-fold them to form a square.
With the open end at the top on both sides, fold the sides toward the center, open them up, and shape them.
Open along those creases to make a diamond shape.
With the split end at the bottom, fold both sides toward the center.
Then fold those sections upward so they form roughly a right angle.
Tuck one of the tips slightly inward to make the dragonfly’s head, and also tuck the central triangular section inward.
The remaining parts will be the wings, so make a cut down the middle with scissors—and you’re done! In fact, the steps are almost the same as making a crane.
acorn
Speaking of autumn, it’s the season of harvest, and many people enjoy picking up acorns that have fallen near trees.
This piece is about making acorns with origami to evoke that fun autumn feeling.
It’s a simple project where you fold brown origami paper into the shape of an acorn, but note how it cleverly uses the reverse side of the paper to recreate the acorn’s cap.
The finished piece is simple and easy to understand, so it could be fun to incorporate it as part of a decoration—like an accent in a drawing.
ghost
Ghost origami is a perfect craft for Halloween.
Using white origami paper, fold it into a triangle and then gradually shape it from there—it’s easy to make.
When crafting with children, showing them mountain folds and valley folds will help things go smoothly.
They can draw the face however they like, which lets them use their imagination.
You can display the finished ghosts on windows or walls.
If you make lots and string them together, you’ll create a nice autumn atmosphere.
Making ghosts with origami is a wonderful activity that nurtures children’s creativity.
Pacific saury
When it comes to autumn fish, sanma (Pacific saury) is the classic choice, isn’t it? Some children may not be fond of fish, but with the hope that they’ll enjoy eating it too, how about starting by making one with origami? Since sanma have a long, slender shape, it’s recommended to cut the origami paper in half before folding.
You can of course use a full sheet, but halving it will produce a more elongated shape that looks closer to the real fish.
Fold while cleverly combining the colored side and the white back side.
For the eyes, you can draw them on afterward or use small round stickers, which is also recommended.
cosmos
Origami with a cosmos theme is perfect for autumn activities in preschool.
Let’s make petals together with the children using pink and white origami paper.
By folding the paper into a long, thin strip and connecting the ends, you can create soft, fluffy petals.
If you stick a yellow circle in the center, it will look just like a real cosmos flower.
It would be nice to decorate the classroom with the finished pieces.
Creating a wall display like a cosmos field will surely delight the children.
Through origami play, it’s bound to become a lovely time to feel the arrival of autumn.
Japanese pampas grass
Let’s make pampas grass (susuki) used for the Harvest Moon (Jūgoya) decorations and use it as part of your moon-viewing display.
You can either cut slits into part of the origami paper with scissors to create an ear-of-grass shape before folding, or make it without using scissors.
If you don’t make cuts, fold part of the origami diagonally in stepped layers to form the pampas grass plumes.
Choose the method you prefer, taking into account the children’s ages, and give it a try.
Once you’re done, combine it with other moon-viewing decorations to complete your display!
persimmon
Let’s make sweet, delicious persimmons and enjoy a taste of autumn! Prepare orange origami paper and fold it into a round, slightly oval persimmon shape.
For the calyx (the leafy top), use a separate green origami sheet.
When making the calyx, consider the balance between the fruit and the calyx, and use a smaller sheet than the one you used for the persimmon fruit.
Once both parts are ready, glue them together and you’re done! Even with the same orange origami, you can create a variety of persimmons by using papers with different shades of orange.
Adding cute eyes and a mouth is also recommended.
chestnut
Chestnuts are one of autumn’s delicious flavors, whether eaten as they are or made into cakes.
It’s also fun to make lots—big and small—and decorate walls with them.
When folding a chestnut, first fold about half of the origami paper into a triangle to make the chestnut’s pointed top.
Then use the white back side of the paper to form the bottom part of the chestnut, and fold back any protruding excess to finish.
It’s also recommended to draw dots on the white part, and you can add a cute face to the top section as well.