Lovely childcare

[Childcare] Make and play! Origami ideas

9 years of experience as a nursery school teacherShibata Risa
I am an active nursery school teacher with 9 years of experience. After graduating from university, I worked at a daycare center. The time I spent happily with children—playing piano, singing songs, and doing finger-play—are priceless memories to me. Currently, while raising three children of my own, I work at an after-school day service, engaging with children and providing individualized developmental support. Drawing on my diverse experiences as a childcare worker and as a mother, I hope to express and convey my thoughts through writing.

Origami plays a big role in daycares and kindergartens.

With just a single sheet, you can make all kinds of things—origami helps nurture children’s imagination, thinking skills, concentration, and fine motor skills.

It’s something you’ll definitely want to incorporate a lot into playtime.

So this time, we’re introducing ideas for origami you can make and play with.

Of course, we’ve included the classic airplane that everyone has folded at least once, as well as lots of unique ideas—like balloons and cameras—that spark kids’ curiosity.

After you finish your creations, set aside plenty of time to play so everyone can have a blast together.

We hope you find this helpful.

[Childcare] Make and Play! Origami Ideas (71–80)

kaleidoscope

DIY [Fidget Origami] A kaleidoscope-like toy that's easy to make ♪ Stress relief, soothing, ASMR item | How to make fidget toys Origami

kaleidoscope

Let’s soothe ourselves with a colorful, flower-like origami toy.

Take eight parts made from two colors of origami paper and stack-and-fold them alternately.

Continue adding the remaining parts using the same pattern.

Once everything is connected, you’ll have a long, accordion-style strip.

Insert one end into the other, glue them together, and form a ring.

After it dries thoroughly, it’s complete.

If you push it from the inside to the outside, it will spin and change its appearance like a kaleidoscope—so beautiful to watch.

Try making it in different colors and shapes!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

stacking boxes

DIY [Origami] How to Make a Stacking Box ♪ Easy, Playable Origami 💙 How to Make a Playable Origami Stacking Box

stacking boxes

Let’s make a stacking set of boxes, where cute little boxes keep appearing from inside the larger one! Prepare origami paper in various sizes, such as 15 cm, 13 cm, and 11 cm per side.

For the box bases, use paper that is 0.5 cm shorter on each side than the paper used for the lids.

Fold each piece into a box shape, and nest the smaller boxes inside the larger ones to complete it! To make the moment of opening more fun, try drawing different expressions on each lid or sketching your favorite characters.

It could also be interesting to have a new message appear each time you open a box.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

windmill

A rotating pinwheel made of origami

windmill

Here’s an introduction to an origami pinwheel that spins with a puff of breath—no batteries or special tools needed.

Once you have your favorite color of origami paper, a toothpick, and a straw, you’re ready to start.

Cut the blades of the pinwheel with scissors and glue them toward the center so they’ll catch the air.

Pierce the center with a toothpick, attach a bendy (flexible) straw to it, and you’ve got a pinwheel that spins when you blow on it.

It’s also fun to make several and play together with friends.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

origami cracker

Make it with a square sheet of paper! Super Easy Origami Popper

origami cracker

When it comes to origami toys that are super simple yet keep kids totally absorbed, the “cracker” (paper popper) comes to mind.

I’m sure many parents played with it at least once, too.

While many people may have made it with newspaper, this is the origami version.

It’s very easy to make! Fold the origami paper in half into a square twice, then squash-fold it into a triangle on both sides—and you’re done! Anyone can make it easily, so if your child likes it, it’s fun to make together.

Even kids who first look puzzled and say, “What’s this?” will perk up the moment it makes a sound!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

In conclusion

How did you like the origami ideas? Many of you have probably made paper airplanes before, but there were lots of other fun ideas too.

Even with the same folding method, simply changing the color or pattern of the paper can give a completely different impression.

So pick your favorite origami paper and have fun creating original, one-of-a-kind pieces!