[For 5-year-olds] Crafts to try in July! Ideas that capture the season
Five-year-olds are getting better at using their hands to do all kinds of things.
At this stage, their desire to try new things really grows.
So here, we’re introducing July crafts that are perfect for five-year-olds.
We’ve prepared lots of ideas, from summer-themed transparent creations to fun Tanabata decorations.
Enjoy a fun time with the children while nurturing their creativity.
Because items made by children are treated as works, we consistently use the term “seisaku” (制作) in the main text.
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[Age 5] Crafts to Try in July! Seasonal Ideas (71–80)
Cute morning glory

Let’s make colorful and cute morning glories out of origami that bloom cheerfully under the summer sun.
First, fold the origami paper in half into a square twice, then unfold it.
Next, fold all four corners toward the center, flip it over, and slightly fold in the four corners.
Flip it over again, and for each loose corner, make two diagonal folds so it forms a peak; after doing this for all four corners, open the paper.
Finally, turn the paper over, and fold the four corners you just peaked toward the center along the creases, and you’re done.
Try making lots in different colors and decorating with them!
whale

Fold the origami paper in half to make a crease.
Fold the corners up toward the center line, then fold the whole paper in half to start forming the whale shape.
Shape the whale’s body so it becomes large and rounded.
Finally, fold up the whale’s tail, draw the mouth with a felt-tip pen, and you’re done.
Give this popular whale a try—kids love it! Before making it, it’s also a good idea to show photos of whales or read picture books that feature whales as part of your explanation.
happi (traditional Japanese festival coat)

Let’s make a happi coat—often worn at Japanese festivals and traditional events—out of origami.
First, fold the paper in half into a square twice and unfold.
Next, fold up the bottom edge about 1 cm.
Turn it over and fold the bottom corners on both sides inward, slightly offset from the center crease.
Then fold both side edges inward so they’re the same width, and make inside reverse folds where the layers overlap on both sides.
Turn the paper over and fold the bottom edge up to the color boundary near the top.
Open out the two corners in the middle and fold them outward.
Finally, draw a pattern to finish.
Try making lots of colorful, unique happi coats!
Plump Wind Chime

How about making a wind chime out of origami that captures the feeling of summer with its cool tone and a strip of paper swaying in the breeze? First, fold the origami paper in half into a square twice.
Next, draw lines on the square as if shaping flower petals, then cut along the lines with scissors.
Snip off a tiny bit in the center so there’s a small hole.
Open the paper; once it looks like a flower, gather the tips of the petals toward the center, overlap them, and glue them down.
Finally, thread a string through and attach a tanzaku (paper strip) to the string to finish.
If you thread a small bell onto the string, it will make a sound and feel even more like a wind chime.
This softly rounded, cute wind chime is perfect to make and display by your window!
Yukata Kids
Speaking of summer, you often see people going out to festivals wearing yukata.
Here’s an introduction to making “Yukata Kids” with origami.
It’s recommended to use patterned origami paper for the yukata.
The steps are simple, so fold each part carefully and assemble while checking the overall balance.
There are separate face and hair parts for a girl and a boy, so choose whichever you like and give it a try.
Adding a ribbon or other accessory on the hair makes it look more stylish, enhances the summery feel, and results in an even cuter finish.
beetle (specifically, a rhinoceros beetle)

With its glossy black body and large horn, the rhinoceros beetle is as captivating as the king of insects.
Let’s make this cool beetle with origami! The folding method introduced here involves many fine steps and complex techniques, making it suitable for older children who are comfortable with origami and eager to try something challenging.
Fold slowly together with the kids, checking each step as you go.
Try changing the colors or drawing eyes to create different beetles, and display them in your room for fun.
stag beetle

Here’s a popular stag beetle you can make with origami that’s a big hit with kids.
We recommend preparing black or brown origami paper.
Line up the left and right edges of the paper and crease along the center.
By making firm creases, it becomes easier to fold the beetle’s base body and mandibles evenly.
Fold the body while checking the size and keeping the balance.
Finally, fold both sides of the body to finish.
Add eyes and draw a face to create a cool-looking stag beetle!



