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)
Moving! Origami Tongs
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!
It moves! A flapping bat
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.
Simple origami for kids: cute and playable origami ideas (31–40)
A well-spinning top made with two sheets of origami!
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.
It’s like it’s alive! Pachi-paku face
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!
Flower spinning top
Let’s fold and play with a “flower top” (Hanagoma), a spinning top shaped like a flower that looks bright and cute! It’s a bit of a substantial project among origami, and you’ll make it using three sheets of origami paper.
Each of the three sheets has a different folding method, and there are quite a few steps, but take your time and you’ll be fine! It’s very colorful and adorable to look at, so choosing three colors you like to give each part its own personality is a great idea.
Once you’ve finished folding, let’s all spin the tops and play together!
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?