[Children’s Day] Let’s make a handmade samurai helmet! A collection of fun, easy crafting ideas
As Children’s Day approaches, you naturally want to prepare a cool helmet to celebrate your child’s growth.Store-bought ones are lovely, but handmade pieces have a special warmth.From items made with familiar materials like origami and felt to projects that follow more authentic crafting methods, there are actually many ways to make a kabuto by hand!Some are meant for display, while others can actually be worn—there’s a wide range of finishes.In this article, we’ll introduce handmade kabuto ideas that make use of various materials and techniques.There are also projects you can try together with your child, so be sure to use them as inspiration!
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[Children’s Day] Let’s make a handmade samurai helmet! A collection of fun crafting ideas (41–50)
cookie helmet
How about edible cookie samurai helmets? After enjoying them with your eyes, let’s wish for your child’s healthy growth with cookies that also fill the tummy! Once you make the cookie dough, just cut it out with a kabuto-shaped cookie cutter and bake.
If you’re using cutters that separate the kabuto into parts, it’s fun to ice each piece in different colors and make iced cookies! You can also draw the kabuto parts onto a kabuto-shaped cookie and color them in with icing—both work! Celebrate Children’s Day energetically with cookies everyone can enjoy making and eating together!
denim kabuto (samurai helmet made of denim)
A kabuto (samurai helmet) crafted from denim fabric that combines a stylish look with durability.
The process is simple—unfolding something folded like origami—but since fabric is thicker than paper, use an iron to press crisp creases.
It’s also important to fold symmetrically left and right; paying close attention here will lead to a more beautiful finish.
Finally, secure the edges with glue, add decorations, and it’s done.
It’s also fun to try fabrics in various colors to see how the overall impression changes.
Macramé Kabuto Keychain
Macramé is made by repeatedly tying and braiding cords.
Using this technique, let’s make a kabuto (samurai helmet) keychain! First, create a small loop with a single cord, then wrap and tie another cord around it.
This will form the top of the helmet.
Next, make the shikoro (neck guard) and fukikaeshi (turnbacks).
Once the shape is taking form, add beads to create the maedate (front crest).
Finally, attach the keychain hardware and you’re done! Try making one as a protective charm for your child.
tenugui kabuto (samurai-style helmet folded from a traditional Japanese hand towel)
Helmets with black and gold accents have a stately, impressive look, but ones handmade from a tenugui featuring your child’s favorite pattern also have a lovely warmth, don’t they? First, fold the tenugui and shape it into a base square.
Then, fold it into a triangle, bring the two corners up to meet the top point, and continue folding as if you were doing origami to form the helmet shape.
Once the shape is set, sew a few spots or secure them with glue so it doesn’t come apart, and your tenugui helmet is complete!
Footprint Helmet
How about a samurai helmet made with your child’s footprints so you can feel their growth directly? First, make footprint stamps using both of your child’s feet.
Next, take a piece of origami cut into a triangle, glue on a slightly smaller triangle (about two sizes smaller), and attach a narrow strip of paper along the base of the triangle to match its shape.
Then roughly cut around the footprint stamps you made first, and stick them onto the triangular origami as the front crest to finish! Try experimenting with different combinations of origami colors and footprint stamp colors as you create it.
ceramic helmet
Why not make an authentic ceramic samurai helmet out of clay for your child or grandchild? When we think of ceramic pieces, we tend to assume it’s difficult because you have to shape the clay and then fire it, but there are clays that harden just by air-drying without firing.
If you use those, you can easily make a ceramic helmet! First, shape the helmet out of clay.
Once the form is done, let it dry, and after it’s dry, add color using spray paint, gold lacquer, or similar materials.
If you’re making it in several parts, be sure to prepare hardware to connect each piece.
Since it’s a clay project, it’s also a great activity to do with children.
In conclusion
We’ve shared plenty of handmade helmet ideas. It’s fascinating how the final look can change so much depending on the materials and techniques. If any idea catches your eye, try making a one-of-a-kind helmet while wishing for your child’s growth!