[May] A collection of craft ideas to try with 5-year-olds

[Origami] Koinobori Wreath

Let's make a May carp streamer wreath with origami!

Let me share an idea for a koi nobori wreath made with origami.

For the wreath base, fold a single sheet of origami paper into a long triangle.

Basically, you’ll fold along the creases and edges, but since there are steps for making creases and separate steps for actual folds, have an adult explain and proceed slowly.

Make six identical triangular pieces and combine them to form the wreath.

Next, make a samurai helmet (kabuto) and koi nobori out of origami paper, attach them to a straw, and then stick them onto the wreath to finish.

For the koi nobori, try using washi-patterned origami paper.

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[Dyed Paper] Vividly Colored Koinobori (Carp Streamers)

Make Koinobori with Dyed Paper: A May Craft for Use in Preschools (For 5-Year-Olds)

While enjoying dyeing hanshi paper with paint, why not try making a koinobori (carp streamer)? Place the hanshi horizontally and accordion-fold it vertically.

Then fold it into triangles starting from one end, and when it’s tightly rolled, secure it with a rubber band so it doesn’t unfold.

Prepare paint diluted with water and dye only the corners, leaving the center of the triangle uncolored.

It’s fine to dye each corner a different color.

Gently open the hanshi, let it dry, and cut it into the shape of a koinobori.

Stick it onto a backing sheet where you’ve drawn a pole, add the face, and you’re done! Hanshi tears easily, so be careful when cutting or drawing.

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“Milk Carton” Bouncing Koinobori Toy

[Children’s Day Craft] Make it from recycled materials! A bouncy jumping koi-nobori toy

Here’s a craft idea for a playable carp streamer (koinobori) made from a milk carton.

Cut the milk carton 12–13 cm up from the bottom, and wrap construction paper around it.

Use construction paper to make the eyes, scales, and mouth parts, then attach them, balancing the layout as you go.

Stick the mouth onto the bottom part of the carton.

Once your koinobori is complete, let’s play with it! To play, press down on the tail end of the koinobori from above and then release.

The carton will spring back and the koinobori will boing! and jump.

If it doesn’t jump well, try pressing both side panels inward to create slight creases.

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[Paper Plate] Koinobori Wreath

[Children’s Day] Handmade Koinobori Paper Plate Wreath [Craft]

Let’s make a carp streamer wreath using a paper plate.

First, cut out the inner circle of the paper plate and paint the entire plate.

If you’re using scissors, make a slit from the outside edge to start your cut.

Once the paint is dry, place a piece of tape over the slit to close it.

Cut out carp streamers and cloud parts from construction paper.

Arrange and glue the clouds around the rim of the paper plate, then tape a piece of jute twine vertically to the back of the plate.

Draw faces on the carp streamers and use a cotton swab to paint the scale patterns, then attach them to the jute twine.

Finally, add a hanging ring to the top of the paper plate, and it’s complete.

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Making pinwheels

[For 5-year-olds] Making Pinwheels

Let’s try making pinwheels—perfect for fun outdoor play in spring! First, prepare five square sheets of construction paper and lightly draw a double circle on each one.

Have the children cut along the lines with scissors.

Once the outer circle is cut out, make slits from the outer circle toward the inner circle, then cut out the inner circle as well.

Punch a hole in the end of each paper strip, and thread them onto a straw that will serve as the handle.

To keep the paper from slipping off, cut a slit at one end of the straw and flare it outward.

After threading on the paper, insert a slightly thicker straw from the bottom to secure it, and your pinwheel is complete! May often brings hotter days around Golden Week, so you might even be able to play with it using a fan!

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