[Childcare] Let's make toys you can play with using origami!
Traditional origami play has long been popular across a wide range of ages, from young children to the elderly.
Origami helps develop dexterity and concentration, and gives kids a sense of accomplishment when they finish a piece—benefits that positively support their growth.
In this article, we’ll share several ideas for origami-made toys that will make origami time even more fun.
From nostalgic creations you probably made at least once as a child, to models with amusing motions, to surprising toys that make you say, “You can make that with paper?”—there are plenty of exciting ideas to spark joy!
Make them with your family or friends and have a blast together.
Give them a try and enjoy playing with everyone!
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[Childcare] Let’s make toys you can play with using origami! (1–10)
paper balloon
Let’s fold a paper balloon, one of the classic origami toys.
This traditional favorite has many steps, but if you follow them one by one, you’ll finish it successfully.
Even if you’ve wondered, “How do you make a paper balloon?” and didn’t know the method, you can make one by folding slowly and carefully.
It’s great for children and older adults alike—please give it a try.
When it’s done, gently blow into it and it will puff up softly.
You can display it, or toss it lightly and play with it.
The finished balloon is very cute, so do try making one!
Snap camera
Do you know the “pachin camera,” a fun origami toy that snaps with a pop when its hooked tab comes loose? When you give both ends a quick tug, it releases with a satisfying snap that’s surprisingly addictive.
It’s an old-fashioned camera made of origami, but the steps aren’t complicated, so give it a try and master it.
Even without any special tools or mechanisms, the way it pops is fascinating and fun.
The trick is to fold the hooking tab a bit smaller.
Point it at the person you want to ‘photograph,’ pull the origami, and give them a satisfying snap-shot!
Spinning paper toyNEW!
You’ll definitely get hooked watching it spin around and around! First, cut a 4 cm × 15 cm sheet of origami paper lengthwise into three long strips.
Fold each strip in half at the center.
Start by crossing two strips at a right angle, then thread the remaining strip through the loop created where the first two intersect at a right angle.
Pull all the ends tight to secure them, adjust the shape, and it’s done! Just drop it, and it will spin as it falls.
Try dropping it from different heights and have fun!
Shape-shifting! Magic TriangleNEW!
Let’s make a very mysterious push-pop magic triangle out of origami that can change shape over and over again! We’ll use three colors of origami paper, so prepare your favorite colors.
Fold one sheet of origami paper twice to make a triangle, then fold the top and bottom corners in two places toward the center.
Flip it over, fold the sides toward the center line, fold the left and right corners inward, and form a parallelogram shape.
A key tip for success is to crease the square in the middle firmly along its diagonals.
Make three of these, then combine them to finish.
Thanks to its ever-transforming nature, it’s a fascinating toy you’ll want to keep touching forever.
It’s like it’s alive! Pachi-paku faceNEW!
A mysterious origami piece that looks like it’s talking when you move the finished face.
Use one sheet of origami for the eyes and nose, and one sheet for the mouth.
First, for the eyes-and-nose sheet, make vertical accordion folds.
Next, add horizontal accordion creases as well, but without unfolding the accordions near the center; instead, create four triangles partway along to form the eyes.
Then, for the mouth sheet, make accordion creases vertically and horizontally in the same way, leaving one of the accordion folds kept folded at the center.
Create a larger bulge for the mouth, shaping the top and bottom, to complete the mouth.
Finally, combine the eye-nose part with the mouth part and you’re done.
If you firmly hold the combined section and move it, the face will move!