Lovely childcare

It moves! You can play with it! Fun origami. How to make origami toys.

20 years of experience as a nursery teacher / kindergarten teacherhiyoko sensei
I’m Hiyoko-sensei, a former nursery school teacher from Hyogo Prefecture. Ever since I was five, my dream was to become a childcare worker, and before I knew it, 20 years had passed since I achieved that dream. Through singing and playing with the children, I kept working with the spirit of someone in their twenties, even as I increasingly felt my physical limits year by year (haha). From here on, I’d like to share helpful information carefully and thoughtfully, drawing on my on-site experience.

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!

It moves! You can play with it! Fun origami. How to make origami toys (71–80)

Plump goldfish

https://www.tiktok.com/@sachimama_asobi/video/7260304263862127880

You can enjoy goldfish scooping too! Let’s make plump little goldfish! First, start by folding using the origami balloon method, and complete the front side just like the balloon.

Once that’s done, turn it over and fold the left and right corners down to meet the center line.

Fold up the lower-left corner, apply glue over one side, then fold it in half and stick it together.

Attach round stickers for the eyes.

There’s an air hole on the tail side, so use a straw to blow air into it and inflate.

And there you have it—a plump and cute goldfish! Put some lily-of-the-valley tape (suzuran tape) in a basin to look like water and enjoy playing goldfish scooping!

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flapping bat

https://www.tiktok.com/@tomonite_official/video/7426632371719490836

Here’s how to fold a bat with flapping wings that’s simple to make! First, cut a sheet of origami paper in half and use just one half in your favorite color.

Turn it horizontally and fold it in half, then fold all four corners into triangles.

Open it back up along the crease, then fold it in half lengthwise again to make it narrower, creasing only the center.

Flip it over, wrap it around your finger to mark the size, and start opening the wings.

Pinch and move it so that you squash the crease you made in the center.

Your flapping bat is complete!

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Pac-Pac Fish

Surprisingly easy 💫 Pac-Man fish 🐟 #origami

Pac-Pac Fish

Let me show you an easy way to fold a fish whose mouth opens and closes.

Fold the origami paper into thirds both vertically and horizontally to make crease lines, then unfold.

If you have a 3×3 grid of squares, you’re set.

Fold the paper into a triangle twice to make creases and unfold, then add one vertical crease on each side of the center line and unfold again.

Fold the top and bottom corners inward along the three vertical creases to form the protruding parts.

Pinch the left and right corners and fold along the creases—like magic, it turns into a fish shape! Fold the tail fin and dorsal fin inward, puff it up slightly, and it’s done.

If you pinch it top and bottom, the mouth opens and closes—very fun!

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Ring Paper Airplane

@n.annlee321
I made a ring paper airplane!origami Origami play Origami Origami play #OrigamiPlay Paper airplane EducationalEducational play / Educational activities#EduMom #IWantToConnectWithEducationalMoms #AtHomePlay #OuchiMonte #AtHomePlay Finger Dexterity Education
♬ Nerd Strut (Instrumental) – Gen Hoshino

Have you ever made a paper airplane out of origami paper? It’s a classic folding method that many people have probably tried and played with.

The idea I’m introducing today is a ring paper airplane.

The shape might be different from what you know, but it flies really well, so give it a try! The folding is very simple: first, fold the origami paper in half into a triangle and open it back up.

Fold up once from the bottom toward the crease, then fold up again, for a total of three upward folds.

Finally, bring the ends together to form a ring and secure them with tape—that’s it.

It’s light and flies a long distance, so kids will love it!

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A frog with a moving mouth

@curtain.ley
Origami #Frog toy child Life with children Life with children children #LifeWithChildren Origami Challenge Play #LifeWithChildren Origami Challenge Translation Origami folding instructions Life with children
♬ It is a cute and awkward picture book world with the heart(116039) – coozy

Here’s how to fold a frog whose mouth opens and closes.

Prepare two sheets of origami paper, plus origami paper or stickers for the eyes and mouth.

First, take one sheet and fold it using the zabuton (cushion) fold sequence.

Flip it over and fold two corners.

Turn it back to the front, then fold both unfolded sides in to the center.

Fold the top protruding triangle down to the center.

Open out the bottom corners while flattening, then turn it over—your frog is complete.

Fold the other sheet into a stick-like strip and insert it into the middle of the frog.

Finally, add the eyes and mouth with paper or stickers.

When you pull the strip, the frog’s mouth opens and closes!

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In conclusion

We introduced ideas for moving origami.

Many of you probably made things like chomp-chomp puppets or snap cameras when you were little.

Origami toys that move and can be played with are packed with charms that captivate children.

Decorating them by coloring or adding stickers will make kids feel even more attached to their creations.

If you incorporate children’s ideas, it can lead to all kinds of new ways to play.

These are great not only for nursery schools and kindergartens but also for making together at home—enjoy a fun time with the kids!