[Kindergartners (Older Group)] Folding is Fun! Recommended January Origami Idea Collection for Senior Kindergarteners
Try asking the children, “What comes to mind when you think of January?” You’ll likely hear lots of answers, like New Year’s, rice cakes (mochi), Mt.
Fuji, and mandarins.
Let’s have fun folding those January images the children imagine using origami! In this article, we’re sharing January origami ideas that are fun for older kindergarteners to make.
Some folds are a bit complex, but being able to work together and consult with friends is one of the wonderful strengths of older kindergarteners.
Be sure to make lots of them!
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For Kindergarten Seniors: Fun with Folding! Recommended January Origami Ideas for Older Preschoolers (11–20)
Battledore and shuttlecock

Items for playing Hanetsuki! Here are some ideas for making a hagoita (paddle) and a shuttlecock out of origami.
You’ll need washi-patterned origami paper, black origami paper, green origami paper, yellow origami paper, red origami paper, and glue.
Some children have played Hanetsuki during New Year’s or as a traditional game, right? How about making the hagoita and shuttlecock you need for Hanetsuki with origami? Using washi-patterned paper gives it a classic, old-fashioned feel, so it’s highly recommended.
If you display your finished pieces in your room, they’re sure to brighten it up!
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!
Festive! Cute origami sea bream

Let’s make a lively sea bream that looks ready to swim away any moment! Sea bream are known to live long among fish, so they’re often eaten at celebrations and events as a wish for longevity.
What’s more, because the word “omedetai” (congratulatory) contains the sound “tai,” sea bream are considered lucky and are sometimes displayed for New Year’s as well.
This time, let’s make a sea bream out of origami and start a wonderful year! You’ll need one 15-cm square of red origami paper, one 7.5-cm square, round stickers or eye-shaped cutouts, scissors, glue, and a pen.
Some steps are a bit complex, so take your time and finish it carefully!
Easy and cute! Shimenawa wreath

Something to make for New Year’s! Let’s decorate the room with a fluffy-looking origami shimenawa.
You’ll need ten 7.5 cm square sheets of origami paper and glue or double-sided tape.
Since you first make parts from the ten sheets and then assemble them, it seems like a great way to develop children’s thinking and spatial awareness.
If you attach flowers, the twelve zodiac animals, or other New Year’s ornaments to the shimenawa, it will look even more festive.
Recommended for preschoolers in the middle to senior age range! Give it a try.
Easy! Long-tailed Tit Origami

Adorably round! The long-tailed tit known as the Shima-enaga, a wild bird native to Hokkaido.
In recent years, we often see goods and items featuring its cute appearance as a motif.
Here’s an idea to make a Shima-enaga using a single sheet of origami paper, plus a pen and glue.
Once you’ve folded the creases, the base is done.
Making the wings and tail seems like something you could enjoy while teaching and learning together with friends or teachers! It could be fun to give it a smiling expression, too.
If you display the finished pieces lined up on a branch, like real Shima-enaga keeping warm together, both kids and adults are sure to feel soothed.
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.
For Kindergarten Seniors: Fun Folding! Recommended January Origami Ideas for Older Kindergarteners (21–30)
Origami Plum Blossoms Kids Can Enjoy—Perfect for New Year’s Too!

Free-thinking sparks children’s creativity! It’s a great idea that lets kids enjoy both the focus of folding origami along lines and corners, and the excitement of tearing it dynamically.
Use the torn origami as beautiful branches, then stick on carefully folded plum blossoms to create your very own plum tree.
Drawing the pistils and stamens with crayons or colored pencils will help capture the distinctive features of plum flowers even more.
Take this opportunity to give it a try!


