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 (41–50)

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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envelope with a heart

How to make a cute heart-adorned envelope from a single sheet of origami paper — perfect for Valentine’s Day and White Day / Tsutsumi to Musubi

envelope with a heart

For spring gifts and decorations, I recommend a heart-accented envelope.

By using origami paper with colors or patterns on both sides, you can enjoy the contrast between the heart and the envelope.

Lightly draw a guideline on the back of the paper, fold up from the bottom, and crease firmly.

Fold the left and right sides toward the center to create a central crease—this forms the basic envelope shape.

Fold the inner layers further and shape the top into a heart.

Rounding the corners will make the heart look even nicer.

Finally, tuck the heart into the envelope’s flap to finish.

Write a letter and slip it into the completed envelope, and you’ll have a keepsake of graduation from kindergarten or starting school—perfect for a spring craft.

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Ehomaki

[Setsubun Origami] Easy Ehomaki (Lucky Sushi Roll) Origami with Audio Instructions ☆ How to Make Simple Origami Sushi Rolls / Tatsukuri

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!

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Tripod with legs

[Origami] How to Make a Three-Legged Sanpō Stand 👹.*･ﾟ [origami] Setsubun Accessory Case | Easy | Cute | Stylish | Traditional

Tripod with legs

Great for a variety of events! Here’s an idea for making a legged sanpō (offering tray) out of origami.

All you need is origami paper in your favorite colors or patterns.

Many preschools and households shout “Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!” while tossing beans for Setsubun, right? At times like that, how about using this legged origami sanpō? It’s perfect for holding beans, of course, and it’s also handy for small items, so it’s highly recommended.

The step where you open up the box is easy to understand, so give it a try!

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polite verb suffix (masu); used to make verbs polite in Japanese

[Setsubun Origami] How to Make a Masu (Box) with Voice Commentary ☆ Origami Japanese Bean Case Tutorial / Tatsukuri

polite verb suffix (masu); used to make verbs polite in Japanese

There’s a Setsubun event in February, right? I’d like to propose an idea for a Setsubun masu (bean box).

This version is a flat, foldable masu—not a 3D one—so you can enjoy it by sticking it onto illustrations or using it as a wall decoration.

Another nice point is that you can add your own touches.

For example, you can prepare cutouts of bean illustrations and glue them on, or write the character “福” (good fortune) in the center of the masu.

This idea can also serve as a good opportunity to learn about Setsubun.

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skates

skates

skates

One popular winter sport is skating.

Many children are probably familiar with it through events like the Olympics.

Here, we’ll introduce an origami skate.

This design uses the front (colored) side to represent the boot of the skate and the white reverse side to depict the blade edge.

Its deformed, cute shape is charming enough to warm your heart just by looking at it.

It can also be fun to combine it with other origami so it looks like a character is wearing skates.

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A letter of the heart

[Easy Origami] A cute heart letter you can make from a single sheet — perfect for Valentine’s DIY / Origami heart letter.

A letter of the heart

February is full of fun events like Setsubun and Valentine’s Day, and enjoying heart-shaped origami together as a parent and child is a great choice.

Folding colorful, message-filled hearts together is a wonderful way to nurture children’s creativity and self-expression.

While providing support, please pay close attention to safety when children use scissors.

The origami you make together can carry children’s warm feelings and express gratitude to teachers, friends, and family.

Through this activity, children’s precious memories will take shape and bring joy to those who receive them.

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