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 (1–10)
Paku Paku Clip
Let me introduce a playful origami called the Pakupaku Clip, which lets you pinch and pick up small objects.
First, prepare a single sheet of origami paper and a pen to mark the paper.
It’s nice that you can make it without using scissors or glue! The folding method is simple, but there are many steps where you add lots of creases, so be sure to make sharp, firm folds as you go.
Once you’re done, crumple a piece of origami paper into a small ball and try pinching it with a pakupaku motion.
It’s also fun to compete and see who can collect the most origami paper balls using the Pakupaku Clip!
Spins like crazy! Hand spinnerNEW!
The hand spinner became extremely popular with both children and adults and even went out of stock for a time.
Believe it or not, you can make one from a single sheet of origami paper! First, make vertical and horizontal crease lines to form a cross, then fold both ends toward these creases.
Rotate it and fold both ends toward the other central line, then fold each end back into a triangle.
Open along those creases, fold back only the two on the diagonal, and form a pinwheel-like shape.
Add creases to each blade-like part, shape it by creating a triangular peak in the center, and you’re done! Pinch the peaked part between your fingers and blow on it—the spinner will whirl around.
Easy Pac-Pac Fish
Let me show you how to make a “paku-paku” fish with an adorable chomping mouth.
There are quite a few steps with creases and folds, so it may be a little complex, but you only need a single sheet of origami—give it a try! The finished fish is, of course, fun to play with by opening and closing its mouth, but it’s also cute to make lots in different colors and decorate a wall with them.
Since the inside of the mouth forms a small hollow, you can put in tiny candies or treats and give them to friends—they’re sure to love it!
Spinning origami
This is a fun origami activity where pieces spin as they fall while catching the wind.
The first is a ring-shaped piece that looks like glasses, the second is a fish-shaped piece, and the third is a curious boomerang-shaped piece.
Each one catches the wind and spins differently, so it’s fun to observe.
It’s great that all you need is origami paper, glue, and scissors.
The tasks of cutting with scissors and applying glue are simple, so even young children can enjoy the sense of accomplishment of making their own original creations.
Slinky
How about making a fun slinky out of origami, with its curious spring-like motion that stretches and shrinks? You’ll use one quarter of a sheet of origami paper, and the creases are important, so be sure to fold firmly while paying attention to the fold lines.
The folding steps are simple, and once you make one piece, you’ll repeat the same steps to make several more and connect them, so it should be enjoyable to put together.
The pieces are connected in a spiral, and there’s no set number of pieces—link as many as you like! Finally, glue origami paper to the front and back, draw any face or picture you like, and your fun slinky is complete!