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 (1–10)
medal
A medal you receive at the Olympics or a school sports day can be incredibly exciting for kids, right? Let’s make one out of origami! There are many steps, so it might feel a bit tricky, but since it’s mostly straight folds and folding along well-creased lines, you’ll be fine if you take it slowly.
Try using different colors of origami paper and give the medals as a thank-you for everyday help or for lessons—what a nice gift!
kaleidoscope
You might be wondering, “Can you really make a kaleidoscope with origami?” Yes, you can! Let’s fold a kaleidoscope out of origami that changes its look as you twist it.
At first glance it might seem very difficult, right? But folding each individual piece is easy.
Use small origami paper, make crisp creases, and then simply connect the parts.
You only need to make eight identical pieces, so it’s not hard.
Try using different colors to create a colorful kaleidoscope!
shuriken
Here’s a shuriken-making activity recommended for children around ages 3 to 5.
After making the shuriken, kids can pretend to be ninjas and play, and by using origami in different colors, they can also enjoy experimenting with color combinations.
Ninja play is often incorporated in early childhood settings, and children love pretending to be ninjas! Give it a try—make some shuriken and have fun! When children are making them, the paper can get thick from folding and become hard to assemble at the end, so it’s best to use two pieces cut from a square sheet of origami (cut the square in half).
The folding method is the same for both pieces, but make sure to fold them so they are mirror images of each other!
Simple origami for kids: cute and playable origami ideas (11–20)
Candy
Origami that uses your hands helps activate the brain and makes you think more sharply, so it’s definitely something you’ll want to incorporate into play.
This candy origami is very easy to fold and looks adorable—I can already picture the smiles on the children’s faces.
There are no difficult steps at all, so even small children can fold it together while having fun.
You can also use larger origami paper and turn it into a display for events.
These days there are lots of colorful and cute origami papers, so try folding with a variety of patterns.
sword
When playing pretend as a hero or the protagonist of a game, a sword is essential, right? How about folding a sword out of origami and then playing with it? We’ll use two sheets of origami paper to make the blade and the hilt.
Neither part is difficult as long as you follow the steps carefully, so take your time and fold slowly.
Use colorful origami to make different kinds of swords, and try changing the paper size to create small swords or big swords to play with!
paper airplane
Paper airplanes are a classic among origami.
There are countless ways to fold them—from very simple to extremely detailed and difficult—so try choosing a style that matches your child’s age.
It’s also fun to fold them freely and add your own personal touch.
One of the great things about paper airplanes is that you can play with them after folding.
You can play alone, or get a group together and compete to see whose flies the farthest.
Try experimenting with different ideas as you fold.
Moving is fun! Spring toy
Spring toys with mysterious motions are so captivating that you can keep playing with even store-bought ones forever, right? Let’s make that kind of spring toy with origami.
You’ll need one regular square sheet of origami and another sheet cut in half.
Cut each into long, narrow strips so you have a total of 12 pieces.
Glue two strips together at a right angle, flip them over, and fold them back and forth in an alternating pattern.
When the folding sections start getting short, extend them by gluing on more strips to continue.
The key is to make crisp creases as you fold.
Once you’ve used all 12 strips, you’re done! Try wobbling it or pressing it like a switch to play.
