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 (21–30)
It’s like it’s alive! Pachi-paku faceNEW!
A mysterious origami piece that looks like it’s talking when you move the finished face.
Use one sheet of origami for the eyes and nose, and one sheet for the mouth.
First, for the eyes-and-nose sheet, make vertical accordion folds.
Next, add horizontal accordion creases as well, but without unfolding the accordions near the center; instead, create four triangles partway along to form the eyes.
Then, for the mouth sheet, make accordion creases vertically and horizontally in the same way, leaving one of the accordion folds kept folded at the center.
Create a larger bulge for the mouth, shaping the top and bottom, to complete the mouth.
Finally, combine the eye-nose part with the mouth part and you’re done.
If you firmly hold the combined section and move it, the face will move!
An origami umbrella that can open and close!NEW!
This is an origami umbrella that opens and closes realistically.
Fold a 15 cm square sheet of origami paper in half twice so it becomes a smaller square, then fold the pocketed part into a triangle.
Fold each of the two short sides along the central crease, then open along the creases and flatten.
After opening all four sections, tuck the corners inward.
Make the same piece with origami that’s one-quarter the size, and use a long, narrow strip of origami to make the umbrella handle.
Combine the three parts, and you’ll have an umbrella that opens and closes.
Moving models may seem difficult to make, but they’re actually very easy—why not give it a try?
Spinning paper toyNEW!
You’ll definitely get hooked watching it spin around and around! First, cut a 4 cm × 15 cm sheet of origami paper lengthwise into three long strips.
Fold each strip in half at the center.
Start by crossing two strips at a right angle, then thread the remaining strip through the loop created where the first two intersect at a right angle.
Pull all the ends tight to secure them, adjust the shape, and it’s done! Just drop it, and it will spin as it falls.
Try dropping it from different heights and have fun!
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!
An easy origami rhinoceros beetle
You can easily make a rhinoceros beetle with just one sheet of origami paper.
Fold it into a triangle and open it to create a crease.
Then fold along the crease.
If you make a step fold where the body will be, it will look like a real beetle.
For the horn, use scissors to make a small slit at the tip of a corner, then fold it so it splits into two.
Besides brown or black origami paper, wood-grain patterned brown paper also gives a nice finish.
Try different types of paper and enjoy customizing your design.
Cute rhinoceros beetle origami
Attach round stickers to your origami rhinoceros beetle to turn it into a cute beetle.
Fold the rhinoceros beetle with origami.
If you make the body and legs as separate beetles, you can create a three-dimensional piece.
Prepare white round stickers and smaller black round stickers than the white ones.
Combine these two stickers to make the eyes.
Attach the sticker eyes to the finished origami beetle.
Then you’ll have a very cute origami beetle.
How about displaying beetles made from black, brown, or gold origami with the eye stickers attached?
It keeps spinning and won’t stop! Sunflower spinning top
A sunflower spinning top that’s not only for display but also fun to play with is sure to delight children! First, with yellow origami, aim to make two boat shapes.
From there, form diamonds at the four corners, then fold the newly formed central corners outward and the diamond corners inward to complete the sunflower petals.
For the sunflower’s center, first crease vertical and diagonal “X” lines, then fold three times toward the center from each of the four corners along those creases, and finally fold the gathered central corners outward.
Make the top’s spindle using a separate sheet of brown origami, fit each piece into the yellow petal origami, and you’re done! Put your finger in the center and spin it around to play.
Also for Hinamatsuri! Cherry Blossom Papercut
Let’s cut origami paper and make lots of cherry blossoms! Fold the origami into a triangle twice, then open it once.
With the widest angle at the top, crease it in half from the top.
Fold both ends toward the far edge to form a shape like a triangle with three spiky points at the top.
Next, cut it into the shape of a single cherry blossom petal and unfold—done! If you want a papercut-style design, use the same folding method, but while cutting the petal shape, also cut out the center.
When you unfold it, each petal will look slightly hollowed out.
Make them in various colors and sizes, and decorate with plenty of them!
How to fold a Hercules beetle (origami)
The Hercules beetle, whose name was cemented by the smash hit “New Beetle Champion Mushiking,” is said to be the largest in the world, with the biggest specimens reaching 180 mm.
At that size, it’s not just cool—it’s a little scary, right? Let’s try making a Hercules beetle that’s hugely popular with kids.
Prepare two sheets of paper: one gray and one yellow.
Fold along the diagonal, then fold both sides inward to meet the center line.
Next, fold that section diagonally… this part will be the head.
Take the yellow paper, fold it in half and then in half again to make a square, and from there fold a section diagonally to form the tail.
Finally, attach the body and the head to complete it.
Even without using large paper, it’ll still have an impressive presence.
Realistic male and female rhinoceros beetles
Do you know the difference between male and female rhinoceros beetles? The biggest difference is that males have impressive horns, while females don’t.
It can be fun to explore these differences while making male and female beetles.
Let’s try making the male’s horn and the female’s face using rectangular pieces of origami paper.
It’s also nice to craft together with your child while talking about how males and females differ.
Besides the horn and face, you can twist origami to make legs and focus on the finer details, allowing you to create a rhinoceros beetle that looks just like the real thing.