Lovely childcare

[Childcare] Things to try in May! A collection of easy origami ideas

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.

I’ve put together some simple origami ideas that are perfect for enjoying in childcare settings in May!

By making items related to May-specific events like Children’s Day, as well as plants and insects out of origami, children’s imaginations will expand.

Also, spending fun time creating together with friends and adults helps deepen bonds.

Enjoying origami as a group naturally encourages communication, so it’s highly recommended.

Through origami, please create lots of colorful works and make plenty of happy memories.

[Childcare] Things to try in May! A collection of simple origami ideas (1–10)

rice ball

[Preschool Craft] Make it with origami! Easy rice ball ♪ | Origami rice ball

rice ball

Don’t you find that black origami paper often ends up left over? In those times, I recommend making rice balls (omusubi) out of origami.

They look delicious and are perfect for pretend play.

Fold the paper in half with the black side facing inward, then fold it lengthwise in half again.

Fold it lengthwise in half once more to create guidelines that divide it into eighths.

Fold both ends in toward the center up to the crease.

Next, fold in the perpendicular direction while showing the white side, shape the corners into triangles, and tuck in the little tips to finish.

Let’s all play and pretend to eat these tasty rice balls together.

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Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

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pinwheel

How to Make an Origami Pinwheel: Easy, Spins Well ♪ A Playable Toy for Children’s Day in May [Voice Commentary] ◇ Origami “Pinwheel/Windmill” Paper Craft Easy Tutorial

pinwheel

Why not try making a pinwheel with origami? A pinwheel is fun twice over—you get to make it and then play with it.

You don’t need scissors or glue, so give it a try.

The folding method is similar to the yakko-san, hakama, and trick boat models.

The key is to gently puff out the blades so they catch the wind and spin easily.

Attach it to a stick like a straw to finish it off so it spins well.

If you run while holding it, it spins beautifully, making it a great item for outdoor play!

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Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

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Carnation message card

"Mother’s Day Present Origami" – Easy Carnation Flower Message Card Origami (Kids can make it themselves!) · Origami Message Card Flower

Carnation message card

Let’s make a lovely carnation-shaped message card that’s perfect to add to a Mother’s Day gift.

There’s space on the back to write a short message.

You can use a single color of origami paper like pink or red, or go colorful with patterned paper.

The folding method is very simple, but cutting along the top edge with pinking shears makes it look more luxurious.

Fold a quarter-size sheet of origami paper in half to make the green stem, attach it, and you’re done.

If you tuck in the lower part of the carnation, it can become a dandelion too.

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Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

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[Childcare] Things to Try in May! Simple Origami Ideas (11–20)

cup

Super easy!! 8 types of playable origami [Nursery/Kindergarten] How to fold simple origami

cup

Origami is fun just to make, but it’s even better when you can play with or use what you’ve made.

This cup is excellent because if you use water-repellent paper, you can actually use it as a real cup.

It also seems fun to use as a prop for pretend play.

First, fold the origami paper in half into a triangle.

Then fold the sides inward, leaving some width at the base.

Fold the small triangle at the top outward, and it’s done.

This cup is also cute and fun to use as a little snack holder.

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Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

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Colorful Unit Koinobori

[Origami Carp Streamer] Super easy 💙 Colorful unit-style koinobori ♪ How to make a very easy carp streamer origami for Children's Day in May

Colorful Unit Koinobori

Let’s connect triangular pieces and make one! Here’s an idea for a colorful unit-style koinobori (carp streamer).

When you think of Children’s Day, many of you probably picture koinobori, right? This time, let’s make one using colorful origami! What you’ll need: eight sheets of origami cut to 7.5 cm squares, and a strip of white origami cut to 15 cm × 3 cm.

The finished piece may look difficult, but the charm of this idea is that it can be made with simple steps!

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ice cream

Easy origami “Ice Cream” folding method: “Icecream” Origami

ice cream

Did you know you can easily make a delicious-looking ice cream on a cone out of origami? First, prepare origami paper in a color similar to a cone.

Fold it into a triangle, then fold the paper along the center crease.

That will become the cone part.

For the ice cream, use the white side on the back of the origami paper, and color it to match your favorite flavor.

You could also cut out the ice cream part from another sheet of origami or from wrapping paper and paste it on.

It’s fun to make various kinds of ice cream and play pretend as an ice cream shop, too.

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Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

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Japanese bush warbler

[Made with One Sheet of Origami] Easy and Cute Bush Warbler (Facing Left) Folding Tutorial ◇ Origami Japanese Bush Warbler — Spring Little Bird, Uguisu ◇

Japanese bush warbler

‘Hoo-hokekyo!’ You can almost hear the beautiful song of the Japanese bush warbler! Let me show you an idea for making a bush warbler out of origami.

All you need is origami paper, black round stickers, and a white pen.

The bird you’ll make with this idea has a round silhouette that captures the warbler’s charm—so cute! If you also make plum blossoms from origami or construction paper and display them together with your origami warbler, it creates a lovely, atmospheric scene.

Give it a try and have fun making it!

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