[By Age Group] Goldfish Craft Ideas! Enjoy Fun Time with Kids
As the weather gets warmer, we tend to imagine summer-themed motifs for our crafts.
Bright red goldfish often evoke the image of goldfish scooping at summer festivals, so many of you may be thinking of incorporating them into your summer projects.
Craft activities need to be tailored to children’s ages and developmental stages, which can make it tricky to decide on the tasks and steps.
In this article, we’re introducing goldfish craft ideas by target age group.
We’ll cover a wide range—from decorations you can enjoy displaying to ideas kids can actually play with.
We hope you find them helpful.
Note: Since the items children make are treated as “works,” we use the term “seisaku” (制作) in the text.
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- [For 4-year-olds] Crafts to make with preschoolers in July and August: Creative activities that let kids feel the summer
- [For 3-year-olds] A roundup of craft ideas to enjoy in summer! Introducing various motifs and techniques
- [For 5-year-olds] Let’s enjoy summer! Summer craft ideas for 5-year-olds
- [Childcare] A roundup of summer craft ideas to enjoy with 2-year-olds
- [Craft] Make and Display! A Special Feature on Ideas for Making Koinobori (Carp Streamers)
- [Crafts] A special feature on ideas to try with three-year-olds in August! Choose from a variety of motifs
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- [Childcare] Fun craft ideas and craft activities perfect for summer
- August Craft Ideas for 5-Year-Olds
- [For 4-year-olds] Recommended for August! Craft ideas: Enjoy a variety of motifs
[By Age Group] Goldfish Craft Ideas! Have Fun with Kids (21–30)
Simple goldfish
Let’s make it with scissors! Here’s a simple goldfish craft idea.
All you need is origami paper in your favorite color and a pair of scissors.
It’s a fun activity for both kids and adults to enjoy together! The process of making a goldfish with your favorite colored origami paper and scissors is simple yet helps build concentration.
In particular, after cutting the origami, it’s important to fold carefully so you don’t tear the paper—this is a key point.
This step will help develop dexterity and focus.
The finished goldfish is adorable and fun to display!
Goldfish with fluttering tail fins
This origami is a goldfish with fluttery, very glamorous tail fins.
It looks even cuter when combined with a heart-shaped origami, so be sure to make them as a set.
You’ll use two quarter-size pieces of origami paper to make the goldfish.
One piece is for the body, and the other is for the tail fin.
Once both are folded, glue them together.
For the eyes, use round stickers or similar.
After making the heart pocket, the back side of the goldfish can be inserted into the pocket—slide it in, and it’s complete.
Ranchu (a breed of fancy goldfish)
Among goldfish, the ranchu is especially gorgeous—let’s try folding one with origami.
First, fold the paper into a triangle along the diagonal twice.
Next, fold one corner toward the center.
Then flip it over, fold both sides along the middle, and fold the whole piece in half along the center.
After that, make a reverse fold at the tip.
Then make a few more reverse folds.
This part is a bit tricky, so if it’s difficult, please proceed together with a parent or guardian.
Red or orange paper will probably suit it best.
goldfish with a triangular tail fin
This goldfish is relatively easy to fold compared to other goldfish origami.
Because the shape is quite simple, drawing the eyes and scales might make it look more realistic.
To fold it, first make two diagonal folds along the corners.
Then fold the tip slightly, and fold it in half in the perpendicular direction to make a crease there.
Fold the triangular section at the bottom upward.
Finally, fold up the opposite edge from the head to form the tail along that line, and you’re done.
Goldfish viewed from above
Let’s make it with origami in your favorite colors and patterns! Here’s an idea for a goldfish seen from above.
What you’ll need: one sheet of origami paper, a quarter-size piece of origami paper, and round stickers.
It’s an idea that’s full of cuteness! Use the full sheet to make the goldfish’s body, and the quarter-size piece to make the tail fin.
By gluing them together, you’ll create a goldfish with a three-dimensional look.
Add round sticker eyes and it will look just like a goldfish swimming! Since you can freely choose the colors and patterns of the origami paper, each goldfish will have its own unique personality—and it’s fun just to look at them.
A goldfish with a cute tail fin
Once you’re finished, draw patterns with a pen! Here’s a cute goldfish idea featuring an adorable tail fin.
You’ll need two sheets of origami paper cut to quarter size, glue, and a pen.
It’s a unique idea where you fold the face and the body with tail fin separately, then glue them together.
The tail fin design is charming and really brings out the beauty of the goldfish.
Adding pen-drawn patterns gives it originality and boosts the overall finish, which is a big plus.
You’ll likely feel happy every time you look at the completed goldfish.
A goldfish with a large tail fin
Let’s make it with simple steps! Here’s an idea for a goldfish with a big tail fin.
All you need are one sheet of origami paper in your favorite color and some round stickers.
Since the materials are just one sheet of origami paper and round stickers, it’s an easy, casual way to make a goldfish.
The large tail fin design is unique, and using stickers for the eyes and patterns makes it even cuter.
There are no difficult steps, so you can enjoy it with children.
The finished goldfish is filled with your child’s hard work, and just looking at it will warm your heart.