Enjoy in January! Origami ideas for kids

maneki-neko (beckoning cat)

[New Year Origami] Easy and Cute Maneki-neko Folding Instructions / Origami Lucky Cat

A beckoning cat raising one paw and gesturing “come here.” True to its name, it’s displayed at New Year’s as a lucky charm that invites good fortune.

Let’s welcome good luck with an origami maneki-neko.

Its complex folding steps make it a perfect project to tackle over the New Year holidays when you have more time.

By the way, it’s said that the benefits differ depending on whether the right or left paw is raised.

Generally, raising the right paw invites money, while raising the left paw invites people or customers.

Why not enjoy folding while mixing in trivia like this?

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pine

[Origami] Easy! New Year Pine Folding Method – Origami Pine

There’s a traditional trio of lucky plants in Japan known as pine, bamboo, and plum (shōchikubai).

Pine is said to symbolize eternal life because it doesn’t lose its needles even in the cold of winter.

Lucky pine origami makes a nice addition to New Year’s decorations at home or a charming ornament for your room.

How about making bamboo and plum in origami as well? Depending on the piece, some folds may be a bit complex.

This is a time when children often spend more time with family, so try tackling slightly more challenging origami together.

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plum blossoms

[New Year Origami] Easy and cute plum blossom made with one sheet of origami / How to fold origami plum blossoms

Plum blossoms are a classic flower that are often paired with New Year’s decorations, aren’t they? Plums are said to be among the earliest species to bloom in the year.

For that reason, they’re also considered symbols of success and good fortune.

They have long been used in New Year’s decorations together with pine and bamboo, which do not shed their leaves in winter.

How about folding these auspicious plum blossoms out of origami with your children during family time over the New Year holiday? Displaying the finished plum blossoms will help create an even more festive New Year atmosphere in your home.

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Camellia

[Origami] How to fold a camellia

Just by adding a single camellia flower to a shimenawa or kadomatsu, you can instantly create a bright, festive atmosphere.

Because camellias keep their leaves year-round and are always green, they’re considered a symbol of prosperity.

Also, the center of the camellia flower is packed with white stamens, which resemble a chasen, the bamboo whisk used in tea ceremony.

In origami, you can fold both the flower and its cluster of white stamens from a single sheet of paper.

Once it’s finished, it might be nice to add your camellia to your New Year’s decorations with your child.

By the way, camellias are relatively large flowers—about 4 centimeters across—and some can be over 13 centimeters, roughly the size of a face.

It could be fun to try making them in different sizes by changing your origami paper.

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ema (votive wooden plaque)

[Easy] How to Make a Japanese-Style Ema Plaque [100-Yen Origami] New Year’s Decoration, Wall Decor — with Voice Commentary!

With the New Year upon us, many families may be visiting shrines and temples for hatsumode, the first shrine visit of the year.

It’s heartwarming to see little hands clutching coins as they head to make their offerings.

Speaking of hatsumode, writing a wish on an ema wooden plaque and dedicating it is also a seasonal tradition.

So let’s try folding an ema out of origami—perfect for the New Year.

The steps are very simple, so even small children can make one easily.

While a real ema is dedicated at the shrine after writing your wish, an origami ema can be displayed in your room.

Be sure to write your wish on your finished ema and decorate your room with it!

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battledore (a traditional Japanese decorative paddle used for New Year, also used in the game hanetsuki)

[Origami] Easy Battledore and Shuttlecock ✨ How to make paper battledore #shuttlecock #feather #featherJP #pankh #bulu #giteol #feathers #hagoita #howtofold #origami #paperfolding #tsugigami

Scenes of displaying and playing with hagoita (decorative paddles) really evoke the atmosphere of the Japanese New Year, don’t they? You don’t see people playing with hagoita as much these days, but the game is said to have meanings of warding off evil and wishing for good health.

It’s also believed that displaying a hagoita for a baby girl’s first New Year serves as a charm to repel misfortune.

Try making a lucky hagoita out of origami and display it.

Using origami with traditional Japanese patterns, which you can even find at 100-yen shops, will make it look beautiful.

It’s a fun craft for little children too—just fold the paper and glue the pieces together.

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