It moves! You can play with it! Fun origami. How to make origami toys.
Origami is one of those essential activities in early childhood care: it helps develop children’s dexterity and concentration, and lets them experience the joy and sense of achievement that comes from completing a project.
This time, we’ll show you how to make moving toys using origami.
We’re focusing on toys you can make using only origami paper, so there’s very little to prepare—another nice bonus.
You’ll find lots of origami toys with unique, kid-pleasing movements that will spark their curiosity and keep them fully engaged.
Pick the ones that catch your eye, make them, and have fun playing with them!
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It moves! You can play with it! Fun origami. How to make origami toys (41–50)
clicky mouse
Would you like to make a mysterious moving origami mouse that clicks, even though it’s made of paper? Please prepare one sheet of origami paper and some double-sided tape.
Some steps are a bit tricky, but the finished result is really fun, so give it a try.
The completed mouse makes a clicking sound as its upper and lower teeth snap together.
If it doesn’t make a nice sound, try changing the angle of the “lips” or puffing it up to find the angle that produces a good click.
It’s also fun to make them with friends and play them like castanets.
If you make a lot, you can enjoy playing in an ensemble.
Korokoro Star
Let’s make a fun rolling star that spins and hops around! You only need one sheet of origami paper, so first prepare your favorite one.
Start by folding the paper into thirds.
You can measure with a ruler if you like! After folding into thirds, fold it in half to crease, then open it—you’ll see creases dividing it into six sections.
Rotate the paper 90 degrees and repeat the same steps.
Open it up and accordion-fold along the creases, alternating mountain and valley folds, then keep making mountain folds along the vertical lines.
Tuck one end into the other end, repeat the valley folds, and shape it into a star to finish! If you lay it on its side and flick it, the star will spin around and it’s lots of fun!
origami fan
Let’s make an origami fan using an accordion fold! Prepare three sheets of origami paper, two chopsticks for the handle, glue, and a rubber band.
Fold each of the three sheets into an accordion, then glue the ends together.
Attach chopsticks to the glued ends, and you’re done! The chopsticks will tend to spread open, so secure them with a rubber band.
For small children, it’s safer to use rounded items like popsicle sticks instead of chopsticks.
Beat the summer heat with your cute handmade fan!
paper airplane
Among origami, the classic paper airplane has been around for ages.
There are so many ways to fold a paper airplane.
They range from simple methods to very detailed and complex ones, so try folding different types to match your child’s age and interests.
It’s also fun to fold freely and add your own personal touch.
The great thing about paper airplanes is that you can play with them after folding.
You can play alone, or have fun with a group by competing to see whose goes the farthest.
Try experimenting with different ideas as you fold.
finger trap
Let’s make a playful origami finger trap that snaps shut when you touch it! All you need is one quarter of a sheet of origami paper and a pair of scissors.
First, fold the paper in half, open it, then fold it in half the other way and open it to create a cross-shaped crease.
Next, fold it into a triangle, open it, and fold into a triangle again from a different angle to add diagonal creases.
Open it up, then use the creases you just made to collapse the paper inward along those lines, with the open side facing down.
Fold both sides toward the center line to make an ice-cream-like shape.
Open it and make small cuts with scissors, then keep folding along the creases.
Continue folding along the lines you made, and you’ll have a cute finger trap that snaps shut without hurting—done!