Lovely childcare

Recommended in February! A collection of easy origami ideas perfect for childcare to enjoy the season.

10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years and as an after-school childcare instructor for 7 years, then took a position as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I engaged in activities that introduced Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational activities, working with many children. Later, through freelance writing, planning, and editing at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and sharing. Drawing on the perspective cultivated in the field of education and my experience as an editor, I provide practical information with an emphasis on both input and output, mainly in areas related to music and children. My hobbies include instruments, singing, handicrafts, toys, drawing, traditional games, the outdoors, and books. My special skill is spinning-top tricks.
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 is still quite cold, but it’s also a season full of fun events like Setsubun and Valentine’s Day.

Many teachers at nurseries and kindergartens may be looking to incorporate activities that reflect the season.

With that in mind, we’ve gathered origami ideas perfect for February.

From ogres (oni) and heart motifs to winter foods and penguins, there’s a rich variety to choose from.

We’ve picked options ranging from very simple steps to slightly more complex ones, so enjoy easy, seasonal origami with the children!

Recommended in February! A collection of simple origami ideas perfect for enjoying the season in childcare (21–30)

Origami Mumps

[Origami] How to Make an Otafuku for Setsubun – February Origami – An Easy Folding Method Kids Can Do [Origami]

Origami Mumps

Would you like to make an Otafuku, which is said to bring good fortune and stands in contrast to oni, considered symbols of malevolent energy? It’s a simple process and a kid-friendly idea! First, fold the origami paper into a triangle twice to create creases, then unfold it back to the original shape.

Next, fold the bottom corner up to meet the center to make a crease.

Unfold that corner, then fold the bottom corner again along the new crease, and use the top crease to make a wrapped fold.

Fold the right corner next to it in the same way to create Okame’s hair.

Finally, fold the remaining corners in toward the center to form Otafuku’s characteristic rounded outline—and you’re done.

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Cute snow bunny

February Origami ~ Snow Bunny ~

Cute snow bunny

Here’s an origami idea for a snow rabbit that you’ll want to make whenever it snows, just like a snowman.

Prepare one sheet of white origami paper, fold it in half diagonally once to make a crease, then unfold.

Fold the left edge in half along the crease, then fold the remaining right corner inward to form a triangle.

Next, fold the triangle’s three corners inward while checking the shape to create the snow rabbit’s base.

Once the base is done, attach ears made from green origami paper and add eyes using small red round stickers, and you’re done! With these simple steps, you can make a snow rabbit that looks just like the real thing—give it a try!

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Perfect for February! A collection of simple origami ideas to enjoy the season in childcare (31–40)

Two-Color Heart You Can Make with Kids

[Origami] A Valentine’s “two-colored heart” to make together with a 3-year-old

Two-Color Heart You Can Make with Kids

Here’s a cute two-tone heart idea using double-sided origami paper! First, fold the paper in half so it becomes a rectangle.

Then overlap the left and right sides to fold it into a square, and repeat the same fold once more to crease it well.

Return the paper to the rectangular shape and place it with the creases at the bottom.

Fold the bottom-left corner up to align with the outer crease.

Open that fold into a triangle and flatten it.

If the left side of the paper looks like a house shape, you’re on the right track.

Next, lift one layer of the top-right corner and fold it down into a triangle along the bottom edge.

Once folded, fold the right edge in to meet the center line.

Lift one layer of the lower-left corner of the part you just folded and fold it into a triangle, then flip the paper over.

Fold the right edge inward to form a square again, and fold down the top edge about 5 mm all together.

Open the topmost layer of the folded-down section and squash the corner into a triangle.

Finally, fold both bottom corners in to meet the center line, and it will form a heart!

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Oni of Setsubun

[Origami] Setsubun Oni-chan Squad [Easy Folding Method]

Oni of Setsubun

Here’s an idea for making an ogre using a single sheet of origami paper.

Start by folding the paper into a triangle, then fold both corners inward so they align neatly—up to this point, it’s the same steps as making a paper cup.

Once you’ve done that, flip the origami upside down, and fold the two corners you just made upward.

These will be the ogre’s horns.

They’ll be too thick as is, so reverse-fold the inner sides outward to make the horns thinner.

Next, fold up the bottom point into a triangle, then fold both corners of that triangle inward to finish.

Add a face with a pen, and use patterned washi tape to create the pants, and you’ll have a wonderful ogre.

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ogre’s iron club

[Setsubun Origami] Easy Oni's Club with One Sheet ✨ How to make a paper spiked club #dokkaebi #oni #club #bangmangi #Setsubun #howtofold #origami #paper #easy #diy

ogre's iron club

For this idea, use origami paper measuring 7.5 cm × 15 cm.

First, position the paper so the 15 cm sides are at the top and bottom.

Next, fold it in half by bringing the top and bottom edges together, crease well, and open it.

Then fold the top and bottom edges in to meet the center crease.

After that, fold the right edge over the left edge to fold the paper in half, and create a step by folding back a strip about 1 cm wide from the crease.

This step separates the club (kanabō) section from the handle section.

For the handle, fold the top and bottom of the right-side portion of the paper in toward the center crease, and squash the pulled corner into a triangle.

Finally, fold the four corners of the remaining club section into triangles to round them off, and you’re done.

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Ehomaki made with origami!

[Origami] Perfect for Setsubun ✨ How to make Eho-maki ✨ How to make Eho-maki #Ipchun #Gimbap #Setsubun #NoriRoll #Ehomaki #SeaweedRoll #Kimbap #FoldingMethod #Origami #PaperFolding #Paper #Easy #DIY

Ehomaki made with origami!

When it comes to Setsubun, some people might picture ehomaki sushi rolls.

This time, I’ll introduce a simple ehomaki craft idea using origami.

What you’ll need: black origami paper, various colors of origami cut into small pieces, and glue or double-sided tape.

It’s unique how the small, colorful pieces represent the fillings of the ehomaki.

The finished piece is flat, so it’s perfect for wall displays! Be sure to give it a try.

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Origami for a Setsubun wreath

[Cute Origami] How to Make a Setsubun Wreath (Origami Time)

Origami for a Setsubun wreath

I want to use these for room decorations! Here’s a colorful and cute wreath idea.

You’ll need origami paper in various colors, pens or crayons, round stickers, and double-sided tape or glue if needed.

The key feature is a lovely design that combines parts for a blue oni, a red oni, and an Otafuku face.

You can enjoy adding personality through the expressions of the oni, so it’s highly recommended! In the video, the project is made with quarter-size origami paper, but it’s a good idea to adjust the paper size to suit the children’s growth and abilities.

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