![[For preschoolers] A collection of origami ideas to enjoy February, including Setsubun and Valentine’s Day](https://i.ytimg.com/vi_webp/CM-yDVB5xZo/maxresdefault.webp)
[For preschoolers] A collection of origami ideas to enjoy February, including Setsubun and Valentine’s Day
February brings a sudden chill, and it takes quite a bit of courage to go play outside.
At times like this, how about some origami play in a warm room?
This time, I’d like to introduce origami ideas for preschoolers (middle year) that are perfect to fold in February.
By the middle preschool year, children start trying to align the edges neatly and can focus on slightly more detailed tasks.
We’re sharing lots of folding ideas with Setsubun and Valentine’s Day themes, so please give them a try!
Origami Ideas for Enjoying February—Setsubun, Valentine’s Day, and More (1–10) [For Preschoolers]
Ehomaki
Perfect for Setsubun crafts! Here are some ideas for making an ehomaki sushi roll out of origami.
You’ll need black origami paper, red origami paper or round stickers, green origami paper or round stickers, yellow origami paper or round stickers, and glue.
Ehomaki is said to carry the meaning of “rolling in good fortune,” and you might enjoy it during Setsubun events.
This idea is simple and easy to customize, so it’s highly recommended.
For the fillings, try expressing them by cutting pieces of origami paper or using round stickers!
puffy 3D heart
https://www.tiktok.com/@miigomama_chiiku/video/7333951617814826248Enjoy original decorations too! Here’s an idea for making a puffy 3D heart out of origami.
All you need is origami paper in your favorite color.
Hearts are perfect for Valentine’s Day, and making them three-dimensional makes them even cuter! The steps are simple, but you’ll need some strength when creasing layered paper and when blowing air into the model, so it’s best to work together with a parent or teacher.
Decorating the finished heart with drawings or stickers will make it look even more festive!
Heart envelope
https://www.tiktok.com/@tocco.wrapping/video/7464589031238667538It’s sure to convey a fluttering, excited feeling! Let me introduce a heart-shaped envelope.
All you need are origami paper in your favorite colors or patterns, scissors, and tape or glue.
It’s nice that after folding the origami, you can actually use it, not just decorate with it.
How about putting a message card or small items in the heart envelope? The design is perfect for Valentine’s Day, too.
Since you’ll trim the heart shape with scissors, it’s best to work on it together with a parent or teacher.
Give it a try!
mumps
Here’s an idea for an Otafuku mask you can fold along with a Setsubun ogre.
First, fold the paper in half twice into a square to make a cross-shaped crease, then open it.
Place it so a corner points up, and fold the top corner down to the center.
Fold the left and right edges down to the center corner to make creases, then open them.
Fold the left and right corners inward along the creases, then fold the left and right edges along the diagonal creases and flip the paper over.
Fold the top corner down into a triangle to the marked point at the bottom, then flip it over again.
Make creases so the tips of the left and right corners come inward, then perform an inside reverse fold.
Finally, fold the chin area to the back, and you’re done.
Feel free to draw a gentle expression on the face.
Horn-shaped box
Let’s put beans or small items inside! Here are some ideas for a “tsunokō-bako” (horn-shaped box)! All you need is one sheet of origami paper.
This idea is appealing because the steps are simple and you can use it to store small items after you make it.
Using your favorite color of origami is great, but if you use origami with patterns or colors on both sides, it will turn out even cuter.
Why not make your own unique tsunokō-bako with your favorite origami paper? It’s best to try the box-opening step together with a parent or teacher!
cat
Perfect for Cat Day crafts! Here are some ideas for making cats out of origami.
All you need are two sheets of origami paper, pens or colored pencils, and tape or glue.
Did you know February 22 is considered Cat Day in Japan, inspired by the cat’s meow, “nyan”? Use these ideas to celebrate Cat Day! After you fold the cat’s head and body from origami paper, draw the face freely with pens or colored pencils.
Sleeping faces, smiling faces—this is a great crafting idea that lets kids enjoy creating cats with their own personalities.
Oni of Setsubun
February brings Setsubun.
Here’s a quick introduction to a cute way to fold an oni (demon).
Start by folding the paper into a triangle, and proceed as if you’re making an origami cup.
Don’t fold the very tip of the triangle; stop just before it.
Once folded, rotate it 180 degrees, then fold the flappy left and right corners upward to make the oni’s horns.
Fold each horn in half again to make them thinner.
Fold the bottom triangular section upward, then fold the left and right corners inward—and you’re done! You can use washi tape to make the oni’s pants and draw any facial expression you like.
It can stand on its own, so lining a few up for display looks great!