Lovely childcare

[For preschoolers] A collection of origami ideas to enjoy February, including Setsubun and Valentine’s Day

20 years of experience as a nursery teacher / kindergarten teacherhiyoko sensei
I’m Hiyoko-sensei, a former nursery school teacher from Hyogo Prefecture. Ever since I was five, my dream was to become a childcare worker, and before I knew it, 20 years had passed since I achieved that dream. Through singing and playing with the children, I kept working with the spirit of someone in their twenties, even as I increasingly felt my physical limits year by year (haha). From here on, I’d like to share helpful information carefully and thoughtfully, drawing on my on-site experience.

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 Preschoolers] An Origami Idea Collection to Enjoy February—Setsubun, Valentine’s Day, and More (21–30)

Ehomaki (lucky direction sushi roll)

[February Craft] How to Make Ehomaki (Toilet Paper Roll, Origami) [Easy Handmade] Sushi Roll • Setsubun

Ehomaki (lucky direction sushi roll)

Let’s make an Ehomaki using a toilet paper roll core.

The main materials are a toilet paper core, origami paper, tissues, rubber bands, and tape.

First, attach black origami paper to the side of the core to resemble seaweed.

Next, cut the origami paper for the fillings into 7.5 cm × 15 cm pieces.

Fold the cut paper in half to make a strip, roll it up tightly from the end, and glue it.

Once all the fillings are rolled, bundle them together and secure with a rubber band, wrap them with tissue, and fix them inside the core.

You’ll need the same on the other side as well, so please make two sets of fillings.

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A three-dimensional ogre made with origami

[Setsubun 100-Yen DIY] Oni (demon) made with origami 👹

A three-dimensional ogre made with origami

Many children might have a scary image of oni (ogres).

However, this oni is a cute, cone-shaped one! With some origami paper, you can easily meet a cute oni.

First, cut one sheet of origami into a semicircle.

Using a protractor, mark off about 135 degrees.

Take another sheet of origami, cut it into a semicircle as well, then trim it down to a 135-degree sector and cut it into about three long, narrow strips.

Paste these together with the first piece so they look like stripes, then roll them up into a cone shape.

Next, use chenille stems (pipe cleaners) to make the oni’s hair, and use round stickers or small pieces of cut origami to create and attach the facial features and patterns.

That’s it—you’re done!

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For Setsubun! Oni (demon) bean holder

Here’s how to make an ogre bean holder.

First, fold the origami paper into a triangle twice.

Then unfold it once, and fold up the left and right corners to make a tulip shape.

From here, we’ll make the ogre’s horns.

Unfold the parts you just folded up, then make the diagonal creases into mountain folds and the straight creases into valley folds, and collapse along the creases.

The collapsed part should become a diamond shape; fold the top two edges inward along the valley creases to make it narrower.

Do the same on the other side to complete the horns.

Next, take the top corner of the remaining triangle, fold both layers downward together, and tuck the back layer inside the origami.

Fold the front layer back up to represent the ogre’s hair.

Finally, fold the bottom corner up into a triangle and draw the face to finish.

When using it, gently open it so that the part you folded last becomes the bottom!

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Heart mobile

[Craft Play] Let's make a heart mobile you can use for Valentine's Day decorations

Heart mobile

Perfect for Valentine’s decorations! Let’s make a heart mobile using construction paper and twine.

We’ll create two types of parts, so please prepare four heart-shaped pieces of construction paper and two red and two brown strips of construction paper.

First, take the heart pieces: fold all four in half, stack them, and glue them together.

Place the twine in the center, then glue the final edges together so it forms a sphere.

For the paper strips, overlap and glue the ends of the red and brown strips at a right angle.

Then bend the remaining ends to the back and attach them in the same way.

This creates a lattice pattern at the base of the heart.

Make two of these parts, and attach them back-to-back on the same twine as the first heart.

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Heart Garland

[Origami] Valentine’s Decoration: Heart Garland

Heart Garland

Perfect for Valentine’s Day or birthday parties! Here are some ideas for heart garlands.

You’ll need pink or red origami paper, scissors or a craft knife, and a stapler.

First, fold the origami paper vertically into eight equal sections and cut along the folds with scissors or a craft knife.

Next, crease each cut strip.

Finally, connect them with a stapler to finish.

When using a stapler, be careful to avoid injury as you work.

A cute garland is sure to lift the mood!

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