[Kindergarten (older class)] What kind of season is March? Let’s make events and natural objects with origami!
This time, we’re introducing March origami projects we’d like the oldest kindergarteners to try.
By now, children in their final year at kindergarten have had plenty of origami experience.
In addition to the basics like mountain and valley folds, many can handle slightly more complex steps, such as making slight diagonal folds or opening a fold partway.
With a solid foundation, they can follow verbal instructions or even create pieces on their own by looking at crease patterns—showing wonderful readiness for elementary school.
Try posting step-by-step crease diagrams in the room to encourage children to engage on their own initiative.
If there’s also a space where children can freely display what they’ve made, it will likely motivate them to create the next piece as well.
- [For 4–5 year olds] A collection of recommended origami ideas for March—featuring seasonal events and natural motifs
- [Origami] Easy spring-themed origami ideas to enjoy with 4-year-olds
- [Origami] Simple Origami Ideas to Feel the Spring with 3-Year-Olds
- [For Preschoolers] Let’s Make It Together with the Kids! Origami Ideas for February
- [For 5-year-olds] Let’s make origami! A collection of fun folding ideas
- [Origami] Simple Origami Folding Ideas to Savor Spring with 5-Year-Olds
- [Childcare] Recommended crafts and activities for March, such as Hina Matsuri (Doll’s Festival) and cherry blossoms
- For older kindergarteners: Let’s make it! A collection of recommended origami ideas for February
- [Kindergartners (Older Group)] Folding is Fun! Recommended January Origami Idea Collection for Senior Kindergarteners
- Perfect for September childcare! A collection of origami ideas recommended for older preschoolers
- Recommended for older preschoolers! A collection of origami craft ideas to enjoy summer in August
- [For Age 3] Let’s make it in April! A collection of craft ideas to feel spring events and nature
- [For preschoolers] A collection of origami ideas to enjoy February, including Setsubun and Valentine’s Day
Kindergarten (older class): What kind of season is March? Let’s make events and natural objects with origami! (11–20)
ladybug
Here’s an idea for making a ladybug out of origami, perfect for spring.
Fold a square of origami paper in half, then fold both sides toward the center.
Fold up the bottom by about one-third, and fold only the top layer back down to create the ladybug’s head.
By tucking in several corners, you’ll achieve a cute, rounded shape.
When drawing the ladybug’s spots and face, it’s great to let children use their own creative ideas.
There’s also a method that lets you open the wings, so if you want to add movement, try that variation for extra fun.
Displaying the finished ladybugs will bring a warm touch of spring and spread a cheerful mood.
elementary school
This is a perfect craft for the spring school entry season: a school made with origami that captures the excitement and anticipation of starting elementary school.
Fold a square into a triangle and keep opening and folding from the inside, then shape it into a school building.
You can draw the windows by hand, or glue on small pieces of cut origami paper to add dimension.
For the clock, either stick on a round sticker or draw it with a pen to make it look more realistic.
The steps are simple, but adding fine details is a fun way to make it your own.
Kids will enjoy making the window pieces and sticking on the stickers.
Display the finished school origami together with a randoseru backpack and cherry blossoms, and it will look bright and springlike, further heightening the excitement of starting school.
dandelion
This is an origami piece inspired by the dandelion, one of the plants that represent spring.
Prepare yellow origami paper, make a crease in the center, and fold it inward.
Open the paper from the inside as you continue folding, and shape it into a square.
Fold the inner layers to create the dandelion pattern and give it a more three-dimensional look.
Since there are some delicate steps here, it’s recommended to work together with a parent or guardian.
Use scissors to cut slits for the petals and round the edges to create a soft, fluffy-looking dandelion.
Cut a green rectangular sheet into the shape of a stem, and create grass with a repeating diamond pattern to make it look more realistic.
Line up the finished dandelions on a wall for display, and you’ll have a warm, spring meadow-like piece.
cabbage white (butterfly)
A cabbage white butterfly made with origami gives a bright and cute impression.
After creasing the top and bottom of the paper, fold toward the center.
Tuck from the back to shape it, then open it to the front again.
Make creases at the top and bottom, fold in half, then open it once more to check the creases.
Using these creases as a guide, slowly open it from the inside while imagining the butterfly’s wings.
When shaping the wings, rounding the corners will create a softer look.
Finally, draw patterns with a pen for a more realistic finish.
Since some steps require fine adjustments, it’s recommended to make it together with teachers or friends.
randoseru (Japanese elementary school backpack)
The origami school backpack, which expands the sense of anticipation for a new life, is a perfect project for the spring school entrance season.
First, crease the paper to divide it vertically into four equal sections.
Fold in the quarter-width sections from the top and bottom, then make cuts along the creases to create the flap.
Cut the marked areas to make the shoulder straps.
As you fold the remaining parts, adjust the shape to form the backpack’s silhouette.
For a cute finishing touch, you can add a traffic safety cover.
If the folding steps for shaping the backpack are difficult, work together and consult with friends as you go.
Displaying the completed backpack will express the excitement of starting school.
cherry blossom petals
Origami cherry blossom petals are a beautiful craft that evokes the arrival of spring.
Fold the paper toward the center.
As you imagine the shape of cherry blossom petals, round off the corners with gentle folds to create a soft look.
At this point, pay attention to the steps where you fold the paper diagonally—that’s the key.
Finally, make small cuts along the outer edge and open it up; you’ll have airy, fluffy cherry blossom petals.
Adding these small cuts is important for a more realistic finish.
If you line up and paste several blossoms you’ve made, it will look like a tree in full bloom and bring a spring-like atmosphere.
It’s a perfect craft for commemorating school entrance or graduation, so enjoy making it!
[Kindergarten Senior] What kind of season is March? Let’s make events and natural items with origami! (21–30)
horsetail
Tsukushi (horsetail), a plant that heralds the arrival of spring, makes a wonderfully seasonal craft when folded from origami.
Cut a sheet of origami paper in half, fold it in half again, crease well, then unfold.
Fold one side in along the crease, adjust to about one-third, and fold again.
Fold the remaining section as well, aligning carefully with the color boundary to shape it firmly.
Fold it inward to the right, and when folding it back up from the bottom, make sure to form a triangular tip at the edge—this is the key point.
Finally, refine the finished shape and draw the horsetail’s markings for a realistic look, as if it’s sprouting in a spring field.
Although it may seem like many steps, the folding itself is simple, and children will enjoy watching the shape come together with each fold.