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 to Use in Childcare (71–80)
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.
sea bream
This is an origami sea bream, a classic symbol of good fortune.
It’s perfect both as a New Year’s craft to enjoy with children and as a New Year’s decoration! The key to this origami is to make crisp, precise creases as you go.
Watching it gradually take on the shape of a fish is sure to excite the kids.
Finish by drawing the sea bream’s eye, scales, and fin patterns, and you’re done! Using round stickers for the eyes makes it even easier.
Make plenty and celebrate the New Year with joy!
mandarin orange
You can fold a mandarin orange with a single sheet of origami! Here’s how to make a mandarin that’s perfect as a January decoration.
First, crease the paper by dividing it into four triangles.
Return it to the state folded in half, then align the centers of the left and right corners with the bottom line.
Fold the top layer down to align with the bottom edge, then fold the corners up halfway.
Fold the top corner halfway as well, leaving it sticking out a little, and fold it up.
Round the bottom left and right corners.
Fold the tip outward, flip it over, color the white part green with a pen, and draw the mandarin’s texture to finish! It’s also fun to use stickers to create your own original mandarin design.
yuzu
Perfect for January crafting! Here’s how to fold a yuzu, which also carries wishes for good luck.
First, make the yuzu fruit.
Fold in half into a triangle to create a crease, then slightly offset from the center line and fold both sides into triangles.
Fold the top corner down to meet the folded edges, then fold the bottom corner up so it sticks out about 1 cm, and fold the tip back down.
Fold the bottom corner into a small triangle, then round the left and right corners by folding them into small triangles—this completes the yuzu fruit.
For the leaf, use the kite fold: fold both white edges to the center line.
Fold down the right corner, flip it over, and make a mountain fold on the top corner to finish.
Finally, glue the leaf onto the fruit, and your yuzu is complete! Add patterns with a pen if you like.
In conclusion
Origami in January is a perfect activity for childcare, allowing children to feel the season while experiencing New Year’s traditions.
There are many ideas, from simple folds to creations made by combining several parts.
Enjoy origami with the children and welcome the start of the new year with excitement.