[For Kids] Easy Origami Ideas to Enjoy in May
May, with its pleasant climate, is a fun season full of events like Golden Week, Children’s Day, and Mother’s Day.
In this article, we’ll introduce origami ideas for children to enjoy in May.
We’ve gathered easy-to-fold projects for kids, including traditional favorites like carp streamers and samurai helmets, as well as flowers and creatures you can see in May.
There are plenty of origami designs perfect for Children’s Day decorations, so be sure to make some and display them!
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[For Kids] Easy Origami Ideas to Enjoy in May (11–20)
Children’s Day wreath
When you hear “wreath,” you might think of Christmas, but even outside of the holiday, wreaths that incorporate seasonal elements feel cohesive and are really cute.
For the wreath part, make a ring by taping together eight pieces folded into the same shape.
Then arrange elements like a doll wearing a samurai helmet and carp streamers in a balanced way on top of the wreath.
It’s also fun to turn your favorite origami into a wreath.
Wreaths are versatile and can become anything with a bit of creativity—highly recommended.
ladybug
Let’s make a small, cute ladybug with origami.
Prepare one sheet of origami paper and start by creating the base shape for the ladybug.
For the wings, fold the left and right wings upward, making sure they are the same size—that’s the key point.
Fold the corners into triangles to round out the ladybug, and it’s complete.
Use colored pens to draw eyes on the white area and add patterns on the wings.
To give it a 3D look, using round stickers is also recommended.
strawberry
When it comes to fruits you want to eat in spring, strawberries come to mind.
For those of you dreaming of eating your fill at a strawberry-picking farm, try making strawberries out of origami.
The folding steps are the same as the crane up to a certain point.
It feels like you could easily make them in bulk.
The leafy part of the strawberry is made with origami paper at one-quarter size.
The folding method is even closer to the crane than for the strawberry body, so it should be easier to understand.
Finish by drawing the strawberry seeds with a correction pen, and you’re done.
Long-horned helmet
Speaking of origami helmets, they’ve long been beloved in Japan.
This time, we’ll introduce how to fold a slightly customized “long-horned” helmet.
It looks a bit different and tougher than a regular helmet, but once you master the steps, it’s easy.
Make one that stands out from your friends’ helmets and set yourself apart.
There seem to be several other arranged versions of the helmet as well, so be sure to try making various versions.
Kintaro
It is said that he was born in the mountains of Ashigara to a red dragon and a mountain crone, later became a retainer of Minamoto no Yorimitsu, received the name Sakata Kintoki, and even took part in ogre-slaying.
You can feel a parent’s wish for their child to grow up strong and lively like Kintaro, can’t you? This Kintaro is made by combining four sheets of origami of different sizes.
Fold and assemble the four parts—face, hair, body, and the red apron—and you’re done.
The face is meant to be drawn by you, so go ahead and give Kintaro a big, energetic expression.
long kabuto (long samurai helmet)
This origami is a variation of the helmet that everyone knows.
It’s called a long helmet, and it looks about twice as tall as the typical origami helmet.
It’s fun, so please try making it at least once.
The steps are the same as the regular helmet up to a point, but when you reach the stage where you would fold parts back for the normal helmet, you keep folding it lengthwise instead, which makes the finished piece longer.
Because it’s longer, the opening you wear it with becomes smaller, so if you want to actually wear it, it’s better to use a larger sheet of paper.
butterfly
Let’s make a butterfly often seen in spring using origami.
Fold the paper in half to make a crease, then fold the left and right corners toward the center and add a horizontal crease.
For the butterfly’s wings, open them into triangles by puffing them out along the creases.
The key is to fold the body and wings together while checking the balance so they form an even shape.
Once your three-dimensional butterfly is finished, try moving the wings and playing with it.
If you draw patterns on the wings with colored pens, it will look even more vibrant.
chimaki (a Japanese sticky rice dumpling wrapped in bamboo leaves; in Chinese contexts, often called zongzi)
Chimaki, a treat eaten on Children’s Day, is said to carry wishes for children’s healthy growth and serve as a protective charm.
But preparing real chimaki can take some effort.
This time, we’ll show you how to make chimaki using just origami paper, scissors, and a pen.
Once you have green origami paper, fold it into thirds, overlapping so it forms a triangle.
Fold the inner white areas inward so they don’t show, and fold the corners as well.
When you turn it over, it should look like a teardrop.
Next, take a strip of origami paper cut lengthwise and wrap it around, gluing as you go.
Once you’ve finished wrapping, draw a face or add patterns with a pen, and you’re done.
Why not try making these with your child while sharing the story behind chimaki?
Rose
Here’s a perfect origami rose idea for May, when roses are in full bloom.
Despite its intricate look, the folding steps are simple, so give it a try.
First, crease an X and a plus sign, then fold so that two triangles overlap.
Fold both bottom corners up to the top corner, open the pocket that forms, and then open the pocket between the opened sections as well.
Finally, pinch the triangular part on the back and twist to finish! You can glue them onto construction paper to make a bouquet of roses, or use them for wall displays—they’ll look lovely.
Displayable mini koi-nobori
Let’s make a cute, three-dimensional carp streamer (koinobori) out of origami that also works as a decoration.
You’ll need three sheets of origami for the carp, one for the pinwheel, some origami for the base, and a bamboo skewer or similar stick.
Since it has a base, it’s easy to display.
After making the three carp and the pinwheel, wrap a piece of sponge (which will serve as the base) with origami paper.
Attach the three carp and the pinwheel to the bamboo skewer with glue, insert it into the base, and you’re done.
If you want to go the extra mile, make a windsock (fukinagashi) and attach it for an even more authentic look.
Give it a try!