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, playable origami ideas (101–110)
koi (carp)
Let’s make it with a single sheet of origami! I’ll introduce a koi idea.
All you need is one sheet of origami paper in your favorite color.
Koi are traditional fish in Japan, and many children are familiar with them from koi-shaped streamers (koinobori) displayed during Children’s Day.
This origami idea is easy to make using basic folds, so children can have fun while developing their fine motor skills.
Another appealing point is that by experimenting with colors and shapes, kids can create their very own unique koi.
Tonton Sumo
The first one to topple after tapping the ring loses! Known as paper sumo, Ton-ton Sumo has long been a beloved game among Japanese children.
You can enjoy it with wrestlers made by drawing on construction paper or cardstock and folding them in half, but making them with origami is also recommended! After creasing along the diagonals, fold each corner to the center, then fold the corners in to the center again.
Flip it over and continue folding; finally, fold it vertically in half and adjust so it stands—your origami wrestler is complete.
Let’s tap and play inside a ring made from cardboard or within a taped-off square on a table using masking tape!
A penguin you can make without scissors or glue
This is a penguin you can make using only origami paper—no scissors or glue needed.
Place the paper with the back side facing up so the corners are at the top, bottom, left, and right, and fold to crease by bringing the left and right corners together.
Fold the upper left and right edges in to meet the center line, then fold the top point down so it aligns with the center of the color change.
Flip it over and fold the bottom corner up.
Turn it over again, adjust the hands and face area, then turn it face-up and fold back the beak—done! Draw eyes and cheeks, or add a tie and buttons to dress it up, and finish your cute penguin.
Pac-Pac Fish
Let me show you an easy way to fold a fish whose mouth opens and closes.
Fold the origami paper into thirds both vertically and horizontally to make crease lines, then unfold.
If you have a 3×3 grid of squares, you’re set.
Fold the paper into a triangle twice to make creases and unfold, then add one vertical crease on each side of the center line and unfold again.
Fold the top and bottom corners inward along the three vertical creases to form the protruding parts.
Pinch the left and right corners and fold along the creases—like magic, it turns into a fish shape! Fold the tail fin and dorsal fin inward, puff it up slightly, and it’s done.
If you pinch it top and bottom, the mouth opens and closes—very fun!
Butterflies made with pipe cleaners and origami
Combine pipe cleaners and origami to make a cute butterfly with curled antennae! First, crease the origami paper with a cross and diagonals, then fold it into a triangle along the lines.
Continue folding to give it a three-dimensional shape, and once it looks like a butterfly, tuck the corners of the wings inward to round them.
Finally, fold a pipe cleaner into a V shape, curl the tips, and tape it to the back to finish.
The pairing of pipe cleaners and origami shows lots of personality, so gather different colors and patterns of paper and pipe cleaners and have fun experimenting.
Simple origami for children. Cute and playable origami ideas (111–120)
goldfish with a triangular tail fin
This goldfish is relatively easy to fold compared to other goldfish origami.
Because the shape is quite simple, drawing the eyes and scales might make it look more realistic.
To fold it, first make two diagonal folds along the corners.
Then fold the tip slightly, and fold it in half in the perpendicular direction to make a crease there.
Fold the triangular section at the bottom upward.
Finally, fold up the opposite edge from the head to form the tail along that line, and you’re done.
fish with a big mouth
The wide-open mouth is so cute! Here’s an idea for a big-mouthed fish craft.
You’ll need origami paper, round stickers, and a pen.
You can make the distinctive large mouth by inserting and connecting the origami into a circle, which is perfect for developing fine motor skills.
By adjusting the size of the origami, you can create fish in any size and add your own touch.
Finish by using round stickers and a pen to draw the eyes and patterns, and you’ll have an even more charming fish! It’s simple, yet with a little creativity you can enjoy lots of variations—highly recommended.