[Early Childhood Education] Paper-Cutting Ideas
Here are some papercutting ideas for preschoolers.
When papercutting designs get intricate, you typically use a craft knife, but this time we’ve gathered scissor-only ideas that even young children can try.
There are plenty of ideas you can use for craft time or wall decorations, like flowers, butterflies, and animals.
First, try papercutting projects that use only straight lines.
Have an adult draw the guide lines.
Let the children cut along them as scissor practice.
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- Perfect origami ideas for September! A special feature on motifs you’ll want to include in early childhood education
- [Childcare] Wall decoration ideas to make for Hinamatsuri (Girls’ Day)
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- [Childcare] November wall decorations and autumn craft ideas
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- [Childcare] Decorate in April! Butterfly Wall Display Ideas
- [Childcare] Ideas for March wall decorations
- [Childcare] Cute to display! A collection of wall decoration ideas you’ll want to make in February
- Brighten up your winter daycare room! A collection of recommended wall decoration ideas
[Childcare] Papercutting Ideas (11–20)
cherry blossom

Cherry blossoms that make not only adults but also children smile at their beauty.
Let’s create cherry blossoms with paper-cutting and bring full-bloom sakura indoors! After folding the paper to form three points, make a cut in the shape of a cherry blossom petal.
With just this single cut, when you unfold it, you’ll get a sakura with five proper petals! Since the process of folding to create the three points is a bit complex, it may be a good idea for the teacher to handle the folding and adding guide lines in advance.
Prepare light pink and deep pink paper, and create a beautiful cherry blossom scene.
Paper-cut dandelion

Let’s make a pop-up-style paper-cut dandelion.
Prepare three sheets of origami in different sizes.
Fold each sheet in half into a square twice, then into a triangle; open it, and fold both sides toward the center crease.
Fold all three sheets the same way.
Draw guide lines and cut along them.
Use the largest cut dandelion as the base, apply double-sided tape to the center, and layer the pieces in order from largest to smallest.
Make the leaves and stem from green origami—sketch them first, and be sure to cut the leaves with a jagged edge.
Attach the dandelion, stem, and leaves together to finish.
acorn

When autumn approaches, one of the things you’ll find scattered all over roads and parks is acorns.
Many of you probably picked them up often as children.
Let’s try making a paper-cut art of an acorn.
All you need is one sheet of brown origami paper, scissors, and a pen for sketching—perfect.
Fold the origami once, sketch the outline, and then just cut with the scissors.
With so few steps, it should be easy for kids to try.
If the sketching is tricky, an adult can lend a hand.
In conclusion
How did you like the kirigami idea? Right after you finish cutting, it’s hard to tell what you’ve made, but when you open the origami paper, the children will surely have stars in their eyes.
Once you’re comfortable with straight lines, definitely try tackling curves, too.
When you can cut curves, you’ll be able to create even more pieces!


