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[Childcare] Simple Tanabata decoration ideas made with origami

10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years and as an after-school childcare instructor for 7 years, then took a position as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I engaged in activities that introduced Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational activities, working with many children. Later, through freelance writing, planning, and editing at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and sharing. Drawing on the perspective cultivated in the field of education and my experience as an editor, I provide practical information with an emphasis on both input and output, mainly in areas related to music and children. My hobbies include instruments, singing, handicrafts, toys, drawing, traditional games, the outdoors, and books. My special skill is spinning-top tricks.
Nursery Teacher Mom Writertsukada moe
After working for five years at an after-school childcare club and three years at a nursery school, I began working as a freelance writer. I’m a mother of two children. Inspired by playing the flute in the school wind ensemble in elementary school, I joined a jazz club at university. I’ve also incorporated ukulele and piano performance into childcare. Playing, laughing, feeling sad, feeling frustrated—through all kinds of experiences, I want children to grow.

Around the time of Tanabata, many nursery schools and kindergartens work on making Tanabata decorations with origami.

Decorations made with origami are a great opportunity for children to learn folding techniques and practice using scissors.

Here, we introduce various simple origami Tanabata decorations.

If you make different types of decorations to suit the children’s ages, your Tanabata event will be even more exciting.

Try creating various items together while sharing ideas with the children.

Please use this as a reference and enjoy the Tanabata festivities with them!

[Childcare] Simple Tanabata decoration ideas made with origami (11–20)

A classic Tanabata decoration

@poccle
A classic Tanabata decoration 💫 Perfect for kids to practice their scissor skills 🤭 It carries the meaning of “may we receive the blessings of the sea.” TanabataOrigami #Childcare Crafting Nursery teacher / Childcare worker #ParentingMom #AtHomePlay Tanabata craft Tanabata #origami Production #Nursery school #Kindergarten Tanabata decorations
♬ Original Song – Nursery Teacher Pockle-sensei – Nursery Teacher Pockle-sensei

A classic! Easy! Cute! If you’re looking for a Tanabata decoration that ticks all three boxes, this is a must-see! How about making a shell ornament? The method is super simple.

First, fold a sheet of origami paper in half, then make vertical cuts starting from the folded edge.

If younger children are doing this, it helps to lightly draw guideline lines to make cutting easier.

Once you’ve made the cuts, open the paper and glue the opposite diagonal corners together—that’s it! Using patterned origami or translucent paper is also recommended.

It’s perfect for practicing scissor skills, too.

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Cute seashell ornament

[Origami] Tanabata Decoration: Cute Swirling Shell Garland (Shell Tsurugi) Easy Tutorial

Cute seashell ornament

I’ll show you how to make a cute twirly seashell decoration.

First, fold a sheet of origami paper into a triangle, then fold it into a triangle once more.

Holding the triangle so that the loose, fluttery edges are on top, make slits from the bottom toward the top at about 1 cm intervals.

Cut up to about 1 cm from the top edge.

After making the slits, carefully open the paper so it doesn’t tear.

Next, overlap the central pair of slits toward the inside and glue them together.

Skip one pair each time and continue overlapping the slit pairs inward and gluing them.

Finally, flip it over and repeat the same process with the remaining slits on the back—and you’re done! If you use sparkly origami paper, it will look even more dazzling.

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Star shape with origami

[Nursery/Kindergarten] Star Shapes with Origami! Cute Ideas for Tanabata Decorations!

Star shape with origami

Speaking of Tanabata, you think of the twinkling stars shining in the night sky.

With this origami, you create star shapes by making creases in order and folding along them.

If you cut diagonally with scissors, you can make two types of stars from a single sheet of origami.

If you connect the stars with glue to resemble the Milky Way, they might sparkle beautifully.

It’s also good practice for using glue and scissors, making it a recommended craft for children around preschool age.

It would also be nice to explain the origin of Tanabata with a picture-story show or similar.

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wastebasket

[Tanabata] Let's Make Decorations #4: Wastebasket (Kuzukago) Tanabata

wastebasket

The Tanabata decoration called the “wastebasket” carries the wish to foster thrift, cleanliness, and a respect for not wasting things.

It’s made by putting scraps of paper produced during decoration-making into a basket crafted from origami.

First, take a 15 cm square sheet of origami paper and fold it into a triangle three times.

Then fold the edge with connected creases over to meet the opposite edge.

Cut off the small triangle at the top with scissors, and make slits on the left and right.

Carefully open the origami and shape it so it looks like a bag.

Finally, put the paper scraps inside and twist a chenille stem (pipe cleaner) around the opening to close it, and you’re done.

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paper garment

[Tanabata] Let's Make Decorations #1: Paper Kimono (Kamigoromo) Tanabata

paper garment

In Kyoto, there was a tradition in which children made paper garments to pray for improvement in their sewing and displayed them during the Tanabata season.

These paper garments were called “Tanabata-san,” and there was even a saying that if you kept one in your dresser, your kimono collection would grow.

This time, let’s make such a paper garment using origami paper and washi tape.

Fold the left and right sides of a square sheet of origami inward to make a rectangle, then open the top corners outward to form a V-shaped collar.

Once the kimono portion is complete, stick on washi tape as an obi belt, trim the hem to balance the shape, and you’re done.

Finish it so it can be hung by threading a chenille stem (pipe cleaner) or similar through it.

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A Tanabata decoration in just one minute

Just 1 minute! Super easy! Tanabata decorations

A Tanabata decoration in just one minute

Let’s make some cute Tanabata decorations for the Star Festival in July.

These Tanabata decorations can be finished in no time.

Get your scissors, origami paper, and glue ready, and let’s get started.

We’ll sketch on the origami and make accordion-style woven chains and shell ornaments by folding and cutting.

Using patterned or glitter origami will make your decorations look wonderful.

From around the middle preschool age, when children get used to using scissors, they might even be able to try some slightly more challenging cutting techniques!

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[Childcare] Simple Tanabata decoration ideas made with origami (21–30)

diamond-shaped ornament

[Origami] Tanabata Decorations ◇ Diamond Ornament — Easy and Cute

diamond-shaped ornament

If you’re looking for a unique Tanabata decoration, how about a diamond-shaped one? You can easily make it with a single sheet of origami paper, so it’s a fun craft to do with children! Fold a 15 cm square sheet into a triangle and cut slits with scissors—that’s the key.

Since the way you make the slits is a bit tricky, it’s a good idea for the teacher to draw guide lines in advance if children will be doing it.

Finally, fold each section down from the top in order to form a diamond shape, and it’s done! Decorating with star-shaped stickers or using double-sided origami paper can change the look and make it even nicer.

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