Origami to Enjoy January and Winter! A Collection of Simple Ideas to Use in Childcare
Many people may be unsure which motifs to choose for origami activities in January childcare.
If you express New Year’s traditional games and decorations with origami, you can enjoy making them with children while feeling the season.
There are plenty of New Year motifs like battledores, spinning tops, Daruma dolls, and kagami mochi.
Winter-themed creations such as snowmen and snow bunnies are also perfect for this time of year.
Here, we’ll introduce origami ideas that you can enjoy with children in January childcare.
We’ve gathered a variety of ideas, from simple step-by-step projects to those made by combining several parts, so please use them as a reference!
- [Nursery/Kindergarten] New Year Craft Ideas: A Collection of Projects You Can Enjoy Even After Making Them
- For 4-Year-Olds: January Crafts! A Collection of Fun Ideas with Winter and New Year Themes
- Perfect for January bulletin boards! A collection of Daruma craft ideas kids will love in childcare settings
- [Childcare] Ideas for January wall decorations
- [Childcare] Simple winter-themed origami craft ideas
- For New Year’s! A collection of fun origami ideas to make, decorate, and play with in childcare
- [Nursery/Kindergarten] New Year’s wall decorations! A collection of craft ideas to enjoy with children
- Ideas for Childcare Quizzes to Enjoy in January
- Enjoy in January! Origami ideas for kids
- [Childcare] For 4-year-olds! Easy winter origami ideas
- [Childcare] Collection of Daruma Craft Ideas: Fun Projects Using Everyday Materials
- [Childcare] Ideas for snowman wall decorations. Recommended for January crafts.
- [January Childcare] Rabbit-Themed Wall Display Ideas
Origami to Enjoy January and Winter! A Collection of Simple Ideas to Use in Childcare (71–80)
Ema of Mount Fuji
Recommended for January! Here’s how to fold a Mount Fuji ema (votive plaque).
First, fold the origami paper into a square twice.
Fold two corners to the center, then fold the left and right edges upward so they align with the edges you just folded.
On the opposite side, fold the left and right edges slightly inward at a diagonal to create the shape of an ema.
Make a crease by folding in half so that a white area shows, then cut a small slit at the corner on the folded side.
Next, for folding Mount Fuji: Fold the origami into a triangle and fold one layer down slightly.
Using that folded edge as a guide, fold the other layer down as well, shaping it to look like Mount Fuji’s peak.
Flip it over and fold up the bottom portion, then flip it back again and fold the left and right sides along the edges so it forms the shape of Mount Fuji.
Attach the Mount Fuji to the ema with cellophane tape, and you’re done!
Hanging ornament of fans
Perfect for January decorations! Here’s how to make a hanging fan ornament with origami.
Prepare two sheets each of the following sizes: 7.5×1.5, 3×15, and 0.5×15.
Glue the 0.5×15 strip along the long edge of the 7.5×1.5 piece, and glue the 3×15 strip along the long edge of a 7.5×7.5 piece.
Make two of the same sets.
Next, turn both over, crease them so you can accordion-fold, and then accordion-fold them.
Overlap and close the outer ends where the folds form peaks, staple the bottom so it forms a fan, and then open it up to finish! Attach a string to the back and hang it as a decoration.
maneki-neko (beckoning cat)
Perfect for January! Here’s an introduction to making a beckoning cat (Maneki-neko) with origami.
You’ll use two sheets of origami paper.
As a lucky charm, the Maneki-neko is said to invite happiness and business prosperity.
The meaning changes depending on which paw is raised: the right paw is for “good fortune” and “wealth,” while the left paw is said to “invite people.” The color of the Maneki-neko also carries different meanings, so it can be fun to talk with children about what kind of luck you want to bring in.
Give it a try and make your own original origami Maneki-neko!
plum blossoms
You can make it with a single sheet of origami paper! Here’s how to fold a plum blossom.
Place the paper with the white side up and fold it using the Kannon (preliminary/base) fold.
With the paper oriented vertically, crease it in half, then fold both edges to the center crease.
Rotate it to a diagonal orientation, fold both sides in half to make guide creases, and unfold.
Return it to the Kannon shape, then fold it into the double boat (two-boat) base.
Flatten the four corners so they form squares.
Next, turn it over and, on the four central edges, cut only the top layer about halfway with scissors.
Flip it back, slightly fold the inner corners, then return the flaps up and shape them into petals.
Turn it over again and, using the slits as guides, fold so it matches the shape on the front.
Slightly fold the four corners—and you’re done!
Camellia
Perfect for January decorations! Here’s how to make a camellia out of origami.
Place the paper with the white side up and fold it in half by matching the top and bottom corners.
Fold the bottom edge into thirds to create guide creases, then fold the left and right corners in so they meet the crease at the bottom corners.
Turn it over and fold the top corner down to form a square shape.
Fold the bottom edge up to meet the center corner, then round off all four corners with small folds to complete the flower.
Next, the flower center: Fold the square to make a center crease, then fold the top edge down just a little.
Turn it over and fold the left and right edges in—that completes the center.
Finally, the leaf: Place the paper with the white side up.
Make two center creases by folding in half twice, then fold the left and right edges in to meet the creases, twice.
Fold along the creases to shape it like a leaf.
Combine it with the flower and you’re done!
Chinese cabbage
It’s the season when napa cabbage is at its most delicious! How about making a napa cabbage out of origami and enjoying a taste of winter? First, place the origami paper colored side down and fold it into a triangle twice to create crease lines.
Fold the left and right edges to the halfway point toward the center, flip it over, and fold the bottom corner up to the level of the edge.
Flip it over again and fold the left and right corners in to just before the center.
Slightly fold back the left and right corners of the folded sections outward twice.
Lightly round the bottom left and right corners with small folds, then fold the top corner down—and you’re done! Use a pen to draw the napa cabbage’s pattern.
Kadomatsu
Let’s try making a kadomatsu out of origami.
The kadomatsu, a symbol of the New Year, actually makes a very cute origami piece.
The basic idea is to use colorful origami paper to create parts like bamboo, pine, and plum blossoms, then assemble them into one.
Once you learn how to fold each part, you can make your very own kadomatsu with whatever colors you like.
If everyone makes one and you decorate the classroom with them, you can enjoy a festive atmosphere to welcome the New Year.
Creating a traditional kadomatsu with the simple medium of origami will surely become a memorable experience for the children.