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 (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!
Spins round and round! A flying toyNEW!
It’s an easy-to-make toy that you’ll want to play with over and over.
First, fold the origami paper into a triangle, then roll it up tightly into a long, thin shape starting from the center.
That’s all there is to making it! To play, simply snap open the final folded tip and let go—the piece will shoot off with great speed.
The direction you unfold it affects how well it spins, so experiment and see what works best.
Once it has opened up, you can fold it back the same way and play again and again!
How to fold blinking eyesNEW!
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 gameNEW!
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.
Moving! Origami TongsNEW!
How about origami tongs that really pinch? This is a moving toy you can make from a single sheet of double-sided origami paper.
Fold it twice into a triangle, open it once, then fold the left and right edges along the center line.
Open it up and use the crease lines to collapse-fold.
Fold the longer edges in two places along the center line, open the hollow sections, and flatten them.
After making the folded parts into mountain folds, the tong’s mouth will open and close—your chomp-chomp origami tongs are complete.
They can actually pick up small objects, which is lots of fun.
Give it a try as a toy for your child!
Framed origami dandelion wall decoration
The framed origami dandelion wall decoration is a vibrant interior piece that can be displayed as is.
First, fold the origami paper little by little from the top and bottom to make firm creases, then trim the top, bottom, left, and right to refine the shape.
By folding the edges inward, you create a frame-like border.
Next, take a rectangular piece of origami paper, make fine slits in it, roll it up tightly, and gently open the petals.
Finally, arrange the leaves in a balanced way to complete a dimensional dandelion.
It’s a satisfying project and an idea that kids and adults can enjoy together.
Monkey’s Mountain ClimbNEW!
It’s a whimsical toy where a little monkey climbs a mountain and appears from the summit.
First, make crease lines in both vertical and diagonal X shapes, then fold along those lines to form a square.
Fold the unopened section into a small triangle and cut it off as is.
The cut piece is the monkey.
Next, slightly fold up the edges of the opening part on both sides (front and back) to finish the monkey.
Place the monkey origami between the lower piece that represents the mountain’s foothills, and by moving the foothill section with small, quick motions, the monkey will climb the mountain and reach the top!
A toy you can wiggle and play withNEW!
Let’s make an origami piece that moves in a mysterious way as it changes shape! Prepare 36 sheets of 7.5 cm square origami paper.
We’ll make many small parts and combine them to complete the piece.
Fold the paper in half so it becomes horizontally long, then fold the two corners toward the center on the opposite side.
Turn it over, fold it so the top and bottom are reversed, open the pocket and flatten it, and one part is complete.
It moves! A flapping batNEW!
This is perfect for Halloween decorations or toys, with wings that flap amusingly.
First, cut the origami paper into a long rectangle and fold it in half vertically to make a crease.
Then fold both ends into triangles toward the center.
Keeping that shape, fold it in half vertically again, and fold further in the same direction to add a light crease at the center.
Next, flip it over and insert a finger at the center to make two creases.
Reinforce the creases you made earlier, and it’s done! By lightly holding the top and bottom of the center and moving them, the wings on both sides will flap.
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.