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.
- It moves! You can play with it! Fun origami. How to make origami toys.
- Let's make it with origami! A collection of ways to fold “dinosaurs”
- [For toddlers] Simple but amazing craft ideas — including toys they can play with
- [Childcare] Make and play! Origami ideas
- Cute Origami Ideas for Girls
- [For 5-year-olds] Let’s make origami! A collection of fun folding ideas
- Origami for 2-Year-Olds: Fun and Educational! Origami Ideas for Toddlers
- [Nursery/Kindergarten] Crafts you can play with after making them
- Origami perfect for summer. Fun and easy for kids to make!
- [Childcare] A roundup of easy summer origami ideas to enjoy with 5-year-olds
- [Childcare] Today’s Fun Origami Play
- [For preschoolers] A collection of origami ideas to enjoy February, including Setsubun and Valentine’s Day
- [Childcare] Let's make toys you can play with using origami!
Simple origami for kids. Cute and playable origami ideas (91–100)
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.
Simple origami for kids. Cute, playable origami ideas (101–110)
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.
stretchy toy
Introducing a no-scissors, make-and-play idea: a stretchable toy! Wouldn’t it be fun if origami could expand and contract like a spring? By tweaking the folding method and gluing pieces of origami together, you can create a spring-like toy—such a unique idea.
All you need is origami in your favorite colors or patterns, plus glue or double-sided tape.
There aren’t any complicated folds in the process, but the direction of the folds is very important, so it’s best to work on it together with a teacher or guardian.
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!
