[Childcare] Make and play! Origami ideas
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.
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[Childcare] Make-and-play! Origami Ideas (21–30)
necktie
Origami with a necktie theme to wear with suits or uniforms.
It’s great to make as a fun item for kids, and it’s also recommended as a gift for parents or guardians.
By adjusting the angles and balance when folding, you can create neckties in a variety of designs.
You can also customize the finished origami by drawing illustrations or adding patterns.
Another idea is to use it as a fashion accessory for children’s outfits.
Try making a formal yet cute necktie that will shine in all kinds of situations.
medal
No matter how many medals or certificates you receive, they’re always something to be happy about, aren’t they? Let’s try making such a medal using two sheets of origami paper.
The method isn’t very difficult.
Once you make them, they’ll be fun and convenient to use for events like kindergarten graduation or entrance ceremonies, birthday parties, and sports days, and they’ll also help you save money.
If you combine colors to suit your taste, you can create a one-of-a-kind medal just for that child.
In addition to attaching a ribbon so it can be worn around the neck, you can also put a safety pin on the back to make a medal that works like a corsage or name tag.
[Childcare] Make-and-Play! Origami Ideas (31–40)
Easy and simple! Horse origami
Here’s an idea for making a horse from a single sheet of origami paper.
First, fold the paper into a triangle and crease it, then open it up.
Next, fold all four edges toward the crease, and fold the overlapped section so the corners stand up—this folded section will become the front legs of the horse.
Fold the paper in half along the crease so the front legs are on the outside.
On one side, make three inside reverse folds to form the neck and head.
On the opposite side, use a squash fold to create the hind legs.
Narrow the edge in front of the front legs by folding it inward, then tuck the pointed corners of the neck and the tips of both legs inward to finish.
Paku-Paku Clip
You’ll get hooked on the satisfying “snap”! Here are some fun ideas for the Pakupa Clip.
Some kids have trouble tidying up, right? That’s where the Pakupa Clip comes in handy.
For small bits of trash or paper, this trusty clip “snaps” them up and helps clean up.
This time, let’s make one with origami.
All you need is a single sheet of origami paper.
The steps are a bit complex, but the unique mechanism is sure to get kids excited.
Hoppy Frog
Here’s how to make a jumping frog toy out of origami that hops energetically in unexpected directions.
With just paper—no rubber bands or batteries—you can create a bouncy toy that both young children and older adults who used to play a lot with origami will enjoy.
It may look complicated at first, but if you fold it step by step, you’ll get it done—give it a try.
As you near completion, the shape starts looking more and more like a frog, which is adorable.
Once you finish folding, draw the eyes and you’re done.
Flick its backside with your finger and watch your toy frog hop!
boomerang
How about making a cool boomerang that flies into the air and comes back to your hand? Prepare a sheet of origami marked with a cross, then first fold the paper in half, and fold it again so that the tip of the triangle points downward.
Next, fold the smaller triangle, and fold the larger triangle along the guideline.
Open the smaller folded section, fold the inner part, and fold the larger part again.
After folding the triangular piece back, insert the creased part into the slot to complete one module.
Make four identical modules, insert each corner into the next, and your boomerang is complete.
Pay attention to your throwing angle and wrist snap, and have fun playing with it!
Spinning shuriken
When you hear “shuriken,” you probably picture something you throw to play with.
But this origami shuriken spins when you blow on it! First, crease a cross on the paper, then fold the left and right edges to meet the central vertical crease.
Fold the top and bottom edges toward the center to make a square, and continue folding so it takes on a pinwheel shape.
Overlap the center sections to create a three-dimensional form, then fold back an edge to make a mouthpiece for blowing.
Your spinning shuriken is complete.
Hold it pinching around the center and blow—whoosh—watch it spin!
