[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! (11–20)
jack-in-the-box
A jack-in-the-box made of origami, where a doll pops out when you open the lid.
It’s an adorable-looking surprise box.
Let’s make a mechanical toy where a cute doll springs out of a colorful box.
Assemble the box holding the doll with glue to make it sturdy.
Leave the lid section unattached and the box is complete.
Next, prepare two colors of origami paper to create the popping doll.
Stack the two long, thin strips of origami and fold them alternately.
Now you’ve made an accordion part that expands and contracts like a spring.
Attach the accordion to the bottom of the box, then stick your favorite character’s face on top.
Push the accordion into the box and your jack-in-the-box is finished.
When you open the lid, the doll pops out—it’s so much fun!
How to fold blinking eyes
How about some blinking eyes that look a bit eerie in the dark? They’re perfect for Halloween toys, too! First, fold a piece of origami paper in half into a triangle to make a crease, then fold both ends inward toward this crease three times.
Next, fold it in half from the other direction to make another crease, and fold both ends toward the center along that crease.
Shape the whole piece into an eye by folding the straight edges diagonally.
Attach a handle, and the eye is complete! Finish it by adding a separately made drawing of an eye in the center and gluing on eyelashes around it.
Basketball game
Let’s make 36 of these and combine them to complete it.
The way it stretches, shrinks, and wiggles as it changes shape is sure to be addictive.
It will be fun to use lots of colors and make it colorful.
munch munch
Let’s make a fun toy that moves with a chomping motion, completed using just a single sheet of origami, and offers many ways to play.
Once you learn how to fold it, you can enjoy playing with friends and family anytime, anywhere with just one piece of origami—so be sure to master it.
The folding method is simple, so it’s suitable for small children and older adults alike.
Once it’s finished, you can make it chomp with one hand, or use both hands to move it.
If you write a few selectable questions and answers on each face, you can even play a little psychology-style game.
A well-spinning top made with two sheets of origami!
How about a spinning top made from two sheets of origami, with a beautifully twirling form? For the first sheet, fold it in half into a triangle twice, then fold all four corners toward the center.
Flip it over and again fold the four corners toward the center.
Flip it over once more and repeat the same steps.
Then, make reverse folds from the center out toward the outer corners to complete the base.
Use the second sheet to make the spinning component and combine them to finish.
Spinning tops are toys that people of all ages, from children to adults, can enjoy.
Please try making one together and enjoy a fun time.
It’s like it’s alive! Pachi-paku face
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!
[Childcare] Let’s make toys you can play with using origami! (21–30)
smartphone
Some children may envy the smartphones that adults use every day.
In that case, why not make one out of origami so they can feel like they’re using a smartphone at preschool? Fold a sheet of origami paper in half and open it, then fold about 5 mm of each of the opposing edges, and fold them in toward the center crease.
Continue folding while making small cuts so it takes on a long, smartphone-like shape, then attach a screen piece made from another sheet of origami to finish.
Write the time on the screen or draw your favorite pictures and enjoy making your very own smartphone!
