Lovely childcare

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

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

Last updated:2026/3/5

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 for 10 years as a kindergarten teacher and for 7 years as an after-school childcare instructor, then took a post as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I also engaged in activities that shared Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational play, working with many children. Afterwards, through freelance writing, planning, and editing work at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and conveying ideas. Leveraging the perspective cultivated in educational settings and my experience as an editor, I aim to deliver practical information—focusing on fields related to music and children—that values both input and output. Hobbies include instruments, singing, handcrafts, toys, drawing, traditional play, the outdoors, books, DIY, and crafts. Special skill: 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)

tadpole

[Rainy Season Origami] How to Fold a Tadpole (Origami no Jikan)

tadpole

I want to display them together with frogs and lotus leaves! Here are some ideas for making tadpoles out of origami.

You’ll need a 7.5 cm square of black origami paper, round white stickers, or a pen.

Let’s try making tadpoles—the children of frogs—using origami! The key step is folding all four corners to the back to create a rounded tadpole shape.

The paper will get layered and you’ll need some finger strength, but give it a try! Adding that roundness makes it look even cuter.

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bamboo shoot

Introducing an easy way to fold a bamboo shoot with origami! Why not fold some during the spring season and use them as decorations? [Ori-Tsuku]

bamboo shoot

The plump, rounded shape is so cute! Here’s a fun bamboo shoot idea.

Bamboo shoots are in season in spring, and their texture and aroma are distinctive, aren’t they? Some preschools may even include hands-on experiences with bamboo shoots as part of food education.

This time, let’s make a bamboo shoot out of origami! All you need is one sheet of brown origami paper.

If you crease firmly as you fold, it will turn out beautifully.

When decorating, we recommend adding green accents like bamboo leaves or stalks to make it look more festive.

Give it a try!

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Easy and cute! Carnation wreath

[Origami] Easy yet cute ♡ Mother’s Day gift ♡ Carnation | Carnation Mother’s Day Gift #shorts

Easy and cute! Carnation wreath

This is an easy wreath you can make with origami.

You’ll need to make many identical parts, but the steps are simple, so give it a try.

Prepare 7.5 cm origami paper.

Fold each of the four corners inward by about 1 cm, flip it over, and fold it into a triangle.

Then fold the triangle in half three more times.

Open what you folded, push down the center, and raise the sides.

Treat this as a single petal, and layer multiple pieces to create a carnation.

Folding one sheet at a time takes a while, so it’s best to stack several sheets and fold them together.

Once the carnations are done, glue them closely over the base, add a ribbon, and you’re finished.

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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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ladybug

Origami 'Ladybug' [Easy] [Ages 3 and up] [Craft]

ladybug

When it comes to insects popular with children, ladybugs might be at the top of the list.

Their pop of color and round shape are so cute.

Let’s make a ladybug with origami.

First, just like when making a samurai helmet, fold the paper into a triangle, then fold both sides in again so they meet in the center.

Next, leaving just the top layer, fold the tip slightly forward toward you—this will be the face.

Fold the corners to round out the shape, then add black circle stickers for the spots.

If you don’t have stickers, finish by coloring them in with a black marker.

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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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Authentic dandelions that even children can make

[Origami] Easy Dandelion Tutorial – 3D Spring Origami for March and April – Simple Folding Method Kids Can Make [Origami]

Authentic dandelions that even children can make

This is a full-fledged dandelion origami that lets you carefully craft the flower, leaves, and even the stem.

It may look like there are many steps, but if you proceed carefully one by one, you’ll get a beautiful result.

Start by folding a sheet cut in half; fold about one-fifth while aligning the edges with the creases to shape it, then create step folds and glue them together to complete the flower.

For the leaves, use a separate sheet: fold diagonally along the creases and open the pockets to squash-fold, adding a three-dimensional effect.

For the stem, fold a quarter-size piece and assemble it; then insert and glue the flower and leaves to finish.

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