[For Kids] Easy Origami Ideas to Enjoy in May

butterfly

[Origami] Easy and cute butterfly tutorial! A 3D fold that even kids can do

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.

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mayumi

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ladybug

[Origami] A summer origami “ladybug” to make with a 3-year-old child

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.

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mayumi

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chimaki (a Japanese sticky rice dumpling wrapped in bamboo leaves; in Chinese contexts, often called zongzi)

How to make simple chimaki (rice dumplings)

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?

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kojifumi

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Long-horned helmet

Easy instructions for making the Origami Long-Horn Helmet (Tsunonaga Kabuto) ~ How to make an easy origami long horn 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.

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Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

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Children’s Day wreath

[Children’s Day Origami] A wreath featuring Pikachu wearing a samurai helmet and carp streamers

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.

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Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

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Kintaro

[Origami] How to make Kintarō

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.

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Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

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long kabuto (long samurai helmet)

Easy way to make an origami long helmet (Nagakabuto) ~ How to make an easy origami long 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.

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Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

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