Cute origami ideas
Origami can be used to make all kinds of things, right?
Of course, you can make children’s toys, but also wall decorations that work as interior decor, and even little containers.
In this article, we’ve gathered ideas from the wide world of origami with the theme of “cute.”
From adorable animals and characters to decorative fruits, small containers, accessories, and even toys.
It’s packed with all sorts of cute origami ideas!
If you want to make something cute with origami, be sure to use this as a reference and give it a try!
Cute Origami Ideas (1–10)
Easy! Cute Setsubun OgreNEW!
It’s an appealing idea because it can be easily made with a single sheet of origami paper.
The steps are easy to follow and not overly detailed, so even small children can enjoy working on it together with adults.
The finished oni’s expression is very adorable, and the design feels friendly rather than scary, making it perfect for introducing Setsubun activities.
The ability to freely arrange the colors and facial features also stimulates creativity.
I felt this is a recommended February origami idea that, while evoking the season, can deepen parent-child communication.
Cute! Origami of an igloo and a snowman.NEW!
Here’s an idea for making a snowman and a kamakura (snow hut) out of origami.
If you make the snowman small, you can place it inside the kamakura for display.
For the snowman, start by placing the origami paper like a diamond, with the white side facing up.
Next, fold the bottom corner up to the center to crease it, unfold, then fold again by aligning the corner to the crease you just made.
After making one more wrap fold on the same section, flip the paper over and fold the remaining corner to the center.
The colored part will become the hat, and the remaining white area will be the snowman’s face and body.
From here, fold the corners and edges, using pleat folds as needed to shape the snowman.
For the kamakura, fold the corners and edges inward little by little along the creases to form the structure.
seal
Here’s an introduction to an adorable, plump-looking origami seal.
At aquariums, you can often see them swimming in the water or performing shows where they skillfully handle balls.
Let’s fold this popular aquarium animal from a single sheet of origami paper.
There are some intricate steps to create a rounded body.
But thanks to that, you’ll end up with a super cute, highly finished seal.
Once it’s done, draw on the eyes and mouth to make it even cuter.
It seems like a design that would be especially popular with girls.
It would also make a delightful gift for a friend.
Sanrio character(s)
The Sanrio character series leads the way in Japan’s “kawaii” culture.
Hello Kitty, Cinnamoroll, Pompompurin—there’s a parade of adorable characters! Try making these super-cute Sanrio origami designs that are easy to fold.
They use standard-size origami paper, and depending on the character, you may need to cut the paper with scissors or use different paper sizes, but the projects are simple enough for young children to enjoy.
They’re perfect to try with friends or as a parent-child activity!
Recommended for winter! Oden origamiNEW!
https://www.tiktok.com/@hoikushi_worker/video/7189129661434137858When the weather turns cold, oden starts appearing by the register at convenience stores.
It’s a classic dish that every Japanese person thinks of as a winter staple.
This time, let’s make oden with origami! We’ll show you how to make konnyaku with triangles, daikon using the zabuton (cushion) fold, and burdock root by rolling a sheet of origami paper.
Try drawing patterns with colored pencils or crayons as you go.
In the end, it will take the shape of skewered oden, so enjoy sharing some hot, piping oden together.
Fun to make! EhomakiNEW!
Ehomaki made from origami is a fun idea that brings Setsubun closer to home.
As you fold, the shape gradually becomes clearer, so children can stay focused without getting bored.
In the step where you use colors to represent the fillings, it was striking how natural conversations like “I wonder what ingredient this is?” are likely to arise.
The finished rolls look cute, and simply lining them up as decorations creates a Setsubun-like atmosphere.
It’s appealing that kids can learn about seasonal traditions through play, and I felt this is an origami theme perfect to include for at-home time in February.
Perfect for winter! Cute glovesNEW!
It’s an origami idea where simply folding paper creates a wintery mitten shape, which is really fun.
Because the steps are simple, I felt it was appealing that children can finish it on their own.
Even small, the finished mittens have a strong presence, and by playing with colors and patterns, each person’s piece turns out unique.
It also ties into seasonal conversations like “It’s cold,” naturally deepening understanding of winter.
It’s an origami project perfect for the season, letting you enjoy both the making process and the finished result.