[For 4-5-year-olds] Folding is fun! A collection of January origami ideas to enjoy with preschoolers
The article I’d like to introduce features January origami to enjoy with preschoolers (middle year).
Since it’s January, there are ideas like mittens and snowmen—things children already know—but there might also be ideas they’ve never seen or heard of.
In those cases, it could be fun to look them up in an illustrated guide or read a book to learn more.
After deepening their understanding, trying to fold the origami can reveal a whole new kind of enjoyment! Let’s spark the curiosity and interest of middle-year preschoolers while having fun with origami!
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[Age 4–5] Folding is fun! A collection of January origami ideas to enjoy with preschoolers (11–20)
Easy and cute! Origami snow rabbit daruma
This is a rabbit snowman made with two sheets of origami paper! First, we’ll make the head: fold the paper twice to make a small triangle.
Then unfold one fold so it’s folded only once, and roll-fold the base of the triangle about 1 cm.
Next, leave a small gap in the center and fold both corners straight up.
These will be the rabbit’s ears, so fold the top corners into small triangles to round them off.
Fold the left, right, and bottom corners inward to tidy the outline, then flip the paper over.
Fold the corner at the base of the ears to the back to finish the head.
For the body, do a cushion fold (zabuton fold), flip the paper over, and do another cushion fold.
Finally, fold the square into a triangle and you’re done! Glue the two parts together and draw the face to finish.
Easy! Mount Fuji Origami
Let’s make Mount Fuji—the tallest mountain in Japan and considered lucky if it appears in your first dream of the year—using simple steps! All you need is a single sheet of blue origami paper.
There are no complicated steps, and if you focus on making straight, crisp folds, you’ll end up with a beautiful result.
It could be enjoyed not only by preschool classes but also with two-year-olds together with teachers or parents.
Display the finished piece alongside an illustration of the first sunrise of the year to make it even more festive.
New Year rabbit
Recommended for preschoolers! Here’s how to fold a cute kimono-clad rabbit.
First, fold white origami paper using the Kannon fold.
With the crease running vertically, fold it in half and open it, then fold the bottom edge back up to meet the center crease.
Fold one side using the two-layer boat fold, then fold the two corners up to just short of the center line.
Fold the corners to form the ear shapes.
Turn it over, fold the bottom edge up to the center, and fold both corners up to meet the center.
Fold up the bottom corner and then fold the tip down slightly to complete the face.
Next, turn a new sheet of origami paper over and fold it into a triangle to make a crease; then slightly fold up both opposite corners.
Fold into a triangle again to set the crease, fold up the corner, and diagonally fold both corners in toward the center to complete the kimono.
Attach the face with tape to finish!
spinning top
I’ll show you how to fold a spinning top perfect for January using just one sheet of origami paper.
First, fold it in half vertically and open it.
Fold the bottom edge up to meet the center crease.
Turn it over, then fold the top edge down to meet the front bottom corner twice.
Turn it over again, fold down only the top edge, and fold it back at the front center.
Lightly fold both corners to make crease marks.
Next, fold the top corner down to the center, then fold the bottom edge up as if laying it down—and you’re done! It also looks cute on a wall display or glued onto a backing sheet in various sizes.
pine
Recommended origami for January for preschoolers! Here’s how to fold a pine tree.
First, turn the paper over and place it so a corner is facing you.
Fold the bottom corner up to meet the top corner, then fold to match the left and right corners to make crease lines.
Turn it over and fold the lower left and right edges to align with the creases.
Open it and turn it over; then fold the diagonal creases to meet the center crease.
Pinch along the creases and fold them toward the center.
Once you’ve opened it up once, refold along the creases to form the shape of a pine tree.
Fold the corners in just a little to round them, and you’re done! Add patterns with a pen.
Kagami mochi
Recommended for January! Here’s an easy kagamimochi origami perfect for preschoolers.
You can make it with just one sheet of origami paper.
First, place an orange sheet face down and fold it into a triangle twice to make crease lines.
Fold one corner upward by rolling it over twice, then fold the left and right edges to the center.
Fold up the bottom corner and tuck both corners inward.
Flip it over and fold up to the center line twice.
Fold it so that a little bit of the orange part sticks out at the top.
Fold both corners to form the shape of the mochi, adjust the shape, and you’re done!
[For 4–5-year-olds] Folding is fun! A collection of January origami ideas to enjoy with preschoolers (21–30)
Kadomatsu
Here’s how to fold a kadomatsu—perfect for January—using a single sheet of origami paper.
First, fold the green origami paper into a triangle twice, then open it once.
Fold both corners to the center crease.
Flip it over and fold both edges to the center line so that the tips stick out.
Flip it over again and fold both edges to the center line.
Flip it once more, open both corners, and fold along both creases so they align with the center line.
Flatten-fold both corners, then fold the inner corners along the lines to set the creases as you go.
Fold down the two top corners you’ve just made.
Finally, fold the protruding corners and the top corner into the shape of a kadomatsu—and you’re done!