[For Kids] Simple Papercutting Ideas
When it comes to activities using scissors, “kirie” (paper-cutting art) comes to mind.
It’s a really fun activity where you fold a sheet of paper in half, draw a line, cut along that line, and open it up to create all kinds of shapes.
It’s also perfect for kids to practice using scissors.
In this article, we’ll introduce kirie ideas for children.
We’ve gathered a variety of ideas, from vehicles and animals kids love to stars and trees you can use for events.
All of them use simple lines, so give them a try!
- [Easy!] Flower paper-cut art you can make using just scissors
- [Easy] Stylish Paper-Cutting Craft Ideas Collection
- Cute Origami Ideas for Girls
- Origami ideas boys will want to make!
- Kids will love it! Easy origami ideas—great as gifts too!
- Simple origami that can be folded from a single sheet
- [Origami] Have fun with kids! A collection of easy snowman origami ideas
- Let's make it with origami! A collection of ways to fold “dinosaurs”
- Let's make it with origami! Ideas for simple 3D creations
- [Kids] Let’s Make Origami! A Collection of Easy Goldfish Folding Methods
- [For Kids] Spins in the wind! A collection of recommended DIY pinwheel ideas
- Cool origami that boys will love and want to fold
- Craft ideas using plastic bottle caps [for boys]
[For Kids] Simple Papercutting Ideas (1–10)
heart
Paper-cut hearts are soothing and a handy shape you can use in many situations.
Here’s how to make a single heart and a pair of connected hearts.
For the single heart, fold a sheet of origami paper in half, draw half a heart with a pen or pencil, and cut it out.
As you cut, be sure to check which side is the folded edge.
For the connected hearts, fold the paper the same way, but accordion-fold it into four panels like a folding screen.
When you draw the heart shape, make sure not to connect the lines at the corners; that way, the hearts will stay connected when you cut them out.
star
Star motifs can be used in many situations, but many people may find it difficult to make a star with a perfectly neat pentagonal shape.
Here, I’ll show you an easy way to make a clean, five-pointed star.
All you need is origami paper and scissors.
Start by dividing the paper into five equal sections.
Fold it in half diagonally, then fold it diagonally in half again and open it.
Fold the right-angled corner toward the center to about one quarter.
Using the corner you just folded into a triangle as a guide, fold the bottom edge up from the center toward the left.
At the position of the right edge, fold the left side to the right.
Do the same on the right side.
Once it’s folded into five sections, cut diagonally—and you’re done.
ribbon
Ribbon papercuts are not only great on their own, but they also pair well with other papercuts—like bouquets or gift motifs—making them very versatile.
Give it a try! First, fold a sheet of origami paper in half in your preferred color, and sketch half of your desired ribbon silhouette as a guide.
Once drawn, simply cut it out and unfold—done.
There are many possible ribbon shapes, so keep cutting and experimenting to discover a design you love.
This fold-and-unfold style of papercutting is also good brain training.
[For Kids] Simple Paper-Cutting Ideas (11–20)
cherry blossom
Cherry blossoms, a symbol of spring, are also highly recommended.
From the outside, it looks like you fold paper, make a few cuts with scissors, and when you open it, it takes the shape of a cherry blossom.
It can spark curiosity and make you wonder, “Why does it turn out that way?” If you take the time to understand the process and try it yourself, you’ll likely discover a deeper charm in paper cutting.
Another appeal of cherry blossoms is how well they fit works that represent various events like graduation and entrance ceremonies.
You could even make many pieces to create a cherry blossom tree—there are plenty of fun ways to enjoy it.
Halloween
One major event in autumn is Halloween.
Here are some papercutting ideas that are perfect for the occasion.
The first is bats.
The cutting method is simple, so they’re ideal when you want to make a lot and display them in a row.
Another recommendation, if you want to enjoy Halloween’s slightly spooky vibe, is spiderwebs.
These are a bit more intricate, but that makes them all the more satisfying to complete.
In addition to these two, it’s also nice to combine classic Halloween motifs like pumpkins and candy.
Apple
Apples are one of the cutest and most picturesque fruits.
They come in colorful shades like red, green, and yellow.
Despite being cute, their shape is simple and easy to make, so try creating several.
First, fold your origami paper in half in the color of your choice, and draw half of an apple shape as a guide.
Note that the stem part will end up twice as thick, so be careful.
When you unfold the apple shape, it may look different from what you imagined, so unfold, refold, and adjust the shape until it matches your image.
strawberry
Strawberries are hugely popular whether you eat them as they are or use them as toppings for cakes and parfaits.
Let’s try making one with paper cutting.
Fold a piece of red origami paper in half and draw an outline of half a strawberry.
Fold it with the red side on the inside, and draw the design on the white side of the paper for a cleaner finish.
Imagining the finished piece while drawing only half of the outline is a great mental exercise and a very good experience.
You can also make just the calyx from green origami paper and paste it on, or add the seeds with a felt-tip pen.