[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)
A fun origami that snaps and bitesNEW!
This is a fun origami that gives you the sensation of being playfully nipped when you press down from above with your finger.
We’ll make it using a quarter of a standard-size origami sheet.
Fold it twice to form a square.
Open it once, then fold the sides to make a triangle and collapse along the creases.
Up to this point, it’s similar to how you make a crane.
Now open it up and make four small cuts.
From there, continue folding, using the crease lines as your guide.
The key to a neat finish is making crisp, firm creases.
It’s a project that children and adults alike can enjoy—you might find it surprisingly addictive! Try making lots in bright, colorful papers!
A well-spinning top made with two sheets of origami!NEW!
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.
koma
Here’s a spinning-top toy you can make using three sheets of origami paper of the same size.
If you carefully follow the clear, step-by-step folding instructions, anyone—from young children to older adults—can fold it neatly.
Using three different colors of paper will make the finished top very colorful.
It looks beautiful when it spins, so pick your favorite colors.
After folding each piece, stack the three parts together to assemble the top.
A little bit of weight helps it spin well.
Once it’s finished, try spinning it and playing together with friends or family.
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.
paper airplane
When there’s origami paper around, the first thing you want to fold is a paper airplane.
It’s amazing that you can make a plane that flies far with just a single sheet of origami paper.
It’s also fun that a small tweak to the folding method or a slight change in angle can affect how far it flies and how long it stays aloft.
The basic way to fold a paper airplane is simple, so once you master one design, you can fly it and play anytime, anywhere.
If you fold a paper airplane with your favorite color of origami paper, it’s also fun to have flying contests with friends.
Try experimenting with different folding techniques and see whose plane flies the farthest and stays in the air the longest.