Simple origami for kids: cute, playable origami ideas
This time, we’re introducing lots of cute, playable origami that are perfect for kids.
Origami is a great indoor activity that you can focus on regardless of the weather, making it perfect for time at home.
Seasonal animals, creatures, and toys you can play with after folding are fun for adults too!
You can watch videos to check each step, so even if you find origami difficult, don’t worry.
If it’s too hard for your child to do alone, a parent or guardian can fold together with them and show them how fun origami can be.
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Simple origami for kids. Cute and playable origami ideas (91–100)
Strawberry message card
Let’s deliver a message to someone special! Here are some ideas for strawberry-themed message cards.
You’ll need red or pink origami paper, pens, and stickers.
Strawberry message cards are a lovely way to send a heartfelt note to someone important.
Make a strawberry shape using red or pink origami paper, then add cute designs with pens and stickers to create your own original card.
It’s an easy way to give a small gift or express your appreciation, and it’s perfect for exchanging messages with family and friends.
rice ball
Don’t you find that black origami paper often ends up left over? In those times, I recommend making rice balls (omusubi) out of origami.
They look delicious and are perfect for pretend play.
Fold the paper in half with the black side facing inward, then fold it lengthwise in half again.
Fold it lengthwise in half once more to create guidelines that divide it into eighths.
Fold both ends in toward the center up to the crease.
Next, fold in the perpendicular direction while showing the white side, shape the corners into triangles, and tuck in the little tips to finish.
Let’s all play and pretend to eat these tasty rice balls together.
pinwheel
Why not try making a pinwheel with origami? A pinwheel is fun twice over—you get to make it and then play with it.
You don’t need scissors or glue, so give it a try.
The folding method is similar to the yakko-san, hakama, and trick boat models.
The key is to gently puff out the blades so they catch the wind and spin easily.
Attach it to a stick like a straw to finish it off so it spins well.
If you run while holding it, it spins beautifully, making it a great item for outdoor play!
mushroom
Mushrooms that peek out between the trees when autumn arrives.
How about diving into the fall mood by making them with origami? Start with a sheet folded twice to form a square, unfold it, and use the creases as guides to shape the details.
You can complete it with just one sheet of origami, yet the finished piece looks like the cap and the stem are separate—cute and high-quality.
It even ends up looking like that mushroom from the Super Mario series.
Add your favorite patterns, and you’ll feel even more attached to it!
chestnut
Chestnuts are one of autumn’s delicious flavors, whether eaten as they are or made into cakes.
It’s also fun to make lots—big and small—and decorate walls with them.
When folding a chestnut, first fold about half of the origami paper into a triangle to make the chestnut’s pointed top.
Then use the white back side of the paper to form the bottom part of the chestnut, and fold back any protruding excess to finish.
It’s also recommended to draw dots on the white part, and you can add a cute face to the top section as well.
cherry (sweet cherry; cherry fruit)
How about making some cherries, which are in season around June? Use red origami paper to make the cherry fruits.
You can make two cherries from one sheet, or just one fruit per sheet—either works.
Once the fruits are done, use green or brown origami paper to make the stems.
When both parts are ready, combine them with glue or tape to finish! If you like, try drawing faces on the cherries or using pink-toned paper instead of red for a fun variation.
Sumikkogurashi ‘Bookmark’
Sumikkogurashi is hugely popular with everyone from preschoolers to elementary school kids! Here’s an origami idea for making Sumikkogurashi character bookmarks.
You can make two versions: one without ears and one with ears.
That said, the folding steps are almost the same—the only difference is whether you fold outward to make ears or fold inward to make it round.
It’s simple enough for kids to fold, so try making your favorite character! Draw the faces and patterns with pens.
pointy mushroom
This is a method that uses only a single square sheet of origami paper and doesn’t require fine creases or complicated steps.
First, crease the square paper in a tic-tac-toe (hash) pattern, then fold along those lines to make a triangle.
This forms the base for the cap.
Next, open up the overlapping part of the triangle and make creases to create the base for the stem.
Finally, fold the corners to refine the shape, and you’re done.
You’ll end up with a mushroom that has a slightly cute look, characterized by its pointed tip on the cap.
yakko-san
When you think about making a doll with origami, the first thing that probably comes to mind is this “Yakkosan.” It’s standard to make it together with hakama, but this time I’ll introduce just the Yakkosan part.
The folding is very simple: after doing a cushion fold, flip the paper over and do another cushion fold—at that point it’s almost done.
If you start by making a cross-shaped crease, it’s easier to fold.
You’ll do the cushion fold three times; after the last one, flip the paper over, then open and squash-fold three of the four square sections from the center to finish! This model also branches into the snap camera, so it’s definitely worth remembering.
Wobbling Goldfish
This goldfish origami can be moved to recreate the gentle swaying motion of swimming.
The folding process is similar to the yakko-san, pinwheel, and trick boat models up to a certain point, so it should be easy to get started.
Every part is three-dimensional, and when you move the tail fin, it looks as if the fish is actually swimming, so you can enjoy not only making it but also playing with it.
You can also make it cute by adding eyes with round stickers or a felt-tip pen.
Be sure to give it a try!