[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!
- For older kindergarteners: Let’s make it! A collection of recommended origami ideas for February
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- [For 4–5 year olds] A collection of recommended origami ideas for March—featuring seasonal events and natural motifs
- [For Preschoolers] Fold with Fun! January Origami Ideas for Little Ones
- [Kindergarten (older class)] What kind of season is March? Let’s make events and natural objects with origami!
- [For 4-year-olds] Enjoy February! A Collection of Craft Ideas
- Play activities recommended for childcare in February: ideas to enjoy seasonal events
- [Childcare] A Collection of Origami Ideas for Hinamatsuri: Let’s Make Them with Kids!
- Recommended in February! A collection of easy origami ideas perfect for childcare to enjoy the season.
- [For preschoolers] A collection of origami ideas to enjoy February, including Setsubun and Valentine’s Day
- [For 3-year-olds] A collection of recommended craft ideas to make in February
- [For 5-year-olds] Let’s Make It! A Collection of Recommended Craft Ideas for February
Origami Ideas for Enjoying February—Setsubun, Valentine’s Day, and More (1–10) [For Preschoolers]
snow rabbit
Its plump, rounded shape feels so friendly! Here’s an idea for making a snow rabbit out of origami.
What you’ll need: white origami paper, light green origami paper cut to quarter size, scissors, glue, red round stickers, and colored pencils.
Snow rabbits are usually made with snow, leaves, and berries, but some people may be in environments where playing with snow is difficult.
In that case, we recommend a snow rabbit made with origami.
The steps are few and simple, so give it a try!
ogre’s iron club
Since February has Setsubun, there are many chances to make oni (demons) with origami, so why not fold an oni’s kanabō (iron club) to go with it? First, prepare a sheet of origami cut to a width of 7.5 cm.
Next, fold it in half lengthwise to make a crease and open it, then fold the top and bottom edges toward the center line.
Fold it in half from left to right, then leave about the width of your index finger from the folded line and fold it back to the right.
Fold the top and bottom toward the center line on the right side, then tuck them in slightly at a diagonal to shape it so the handle of the club is visible.
Finally, tuck in the left corner and you’re done! If you draw the studs of the club with a pen, it will look even more realistic!
Japanese pilchard on holly leaves
Perfect for Setsubun events! Here are some ideas for making hiiragi-iwashi.
You’ll need gray origami paper, yellow-green origami paper, brown origami paper, tape or glue, a black pen, and white round stickers.
Many preschools and households host bean-throwing events for Setsubun.
Are there any children who feel nervous about participating because they’re scared of the oni (ogre)? That’s when hiiragi-iwashi comes in handy! Hiiragi-iwashi combines holly leaves, which oni dislike, with a sardine head.
It’s a traditional protective charm believed to keep oni from entering, so give it a try and make one!
[For Preschoolers] A Collection of Origami Ideas to Enjoy February—Setsubun, Valentine’s Day, and More (11–20)
bean container box
Let’s make a little box for beans with origami! First, fold the paper in half into a square twice, crease well, then unfold back to the original.
Next, fold all four corners to the center (a “zabuton” fold), then fold the left and right edges to the center and crease.
Now, open the paper back up, leaving only the top and bottom corners folded.
This time, fold the top and bottom edges to the center, crease, and unfold.
With the creasing complete, fold in the left and right sides so that the central square becomes the bottom, forming the box shape.
Try using origami with patterns you like, and decorate with stickers to make it unique!
a one-horned ogre
Recommended for Setsubun crafts! Let’s make an oni (demon) face with origami.
First, fold the paper into a triangle to make a crease.
Open it back up, then fold the two left edges in to meet the crease.
Once you’ve done that, rotate the paper so the folded left side is at the bottom, and flip it over.
Next, fold the top corner down about 2 cm, then fold it back up so the tip aligns with the base of the triangle you just made.
This will be the oni’s hair.
Flip the paper over again, fold the bottom corner up to create the horns on the head.
Then fold the left and right corners inward so they line up with the sides of the part you folded up, and fold the bottom corner as well to shape the face.
Your oni is complete!
Valentine wreath
Get into the Valentine’s spirit with a handmade craft! Here’s a wreath idea made using heart stamps.
Make the stamp by sticking a heart-shaped sponge sticker onto the cap of a small lactic acid drink bottle.
For the wreath base, cut a circular frame out of construction paper.
Once you’ve prepared pink or red ink or paint, stamp hearts all over the base until it’s filled.
Finish by adding parts for your favorite animal and a ribbon, and you’re done!
popping heart
https://www.tiktok.com/@origamihanaschannel/video/7412671496000228609The hearts pop out! Let me introduce a three-dimensional origami piece.
It may look difficult to make, but once you score the folds, all that’s left is to collapse it—so kids can try it too! Once your origami paper is ready, fold it in half both ways to make a square and create a cross-shaped crease.
Open the paper back up, then bring the bottom edge up to the center crease and press only the middle with your finger to make a small crease.
Next, align the bottom edge with this new crease and make another small crease the same way.
Repeat this process on the top edge as well.
From here, we’ll move on to collapsing: first, fold the top and bottom edges along the outermost creases.
Don’t fold the entire length—press only at the center—and then fold the paper in half so the creases line up.
At this point, you should see hearts on both sides.
Next, rotate and fold it in half so the hearts sit side by side.
Glue them together so they don’t come apart, and you’re done!