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!
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Origami to Enjoy January and Winter! A Collection of Simple Ideas (61–70) to Use in Childcare
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.
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!
Balloon Rabbit
Those perky little ears are so cute! Let me introduce an idea for making a balloon bunny out of origami.
All you need is origami paper in your favorite colors or patterns, and a pen.
It looks adorable and is a fun origami project for kids! The balloon part refers to the traditional origami water bomb.
The folding takes a bit of ingenuity, but once finished, you get a three-dimensional bunny with a lively look.
Balloon bunnies are charming as decorations and fun to play with, so give it a try!
Shimenawa Made with Kraft Paper
Shimenawa are decorative ropes hung at the entrance for New Year’s to welcome the gods and ward off evil.
You can buy them at supermarkets, but why not try making one yourself? The shimenawa can be made with kraft paper, and the ornaments with washi-patterned chiyogami or origami paper.
Create your favorite motifs—such as folding fans or plum blossoms.
Kids will enjoy all the different steps: twisting the kraft paper, cutting slits with scissors, and accordion-folding the origami.
Display your original shimenawa and enjoy the New Year.
