Autumn is the season for mushrooms, isn’t it? In this article, we’ll introduce mushroom crafts you can make with origami that you can enjoy together with your kids.
From simple designs to 3D creations and all kinds of mushroom varieties, there’s a wide selection to choose from! We’ve also gathered pieces you can use as practical items, like chopstick rests and frames.
They’re perfect for seasonal decorations or gifts.
These are all ideas you can have fun trying, so be sure to include them in your autumn craft time!
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Irresistibly fun to make! Simple mushroom origami ideas you can enjoy with kids (1–10)
3D mushroom
This is a 3D mushroom origami that can stand for display or be used as a finger puppet.
You only need one sheet of standard square origami paper.
After making fine, grid-like creases, fold back the top and bottom of the paper, then form it into a hexagonal prism.
From there, keep folding to squash the edges of the hexagonal prism, and the mushroom will gradually take shape.
The folding method is a bit unusual and somewhat challenging, but you’ll end up with a mushroom that’s different from other designs, so if you’re interested, give it a try.
plump mushroom
Creating a three-dimensional mushroom is quite challenging, but a flat version is easy enough for children to make.
However, flat designs can sometimes lack impact and presence.
That’s why I recommend these puffy mushrooms.
Although they’re a flat art piece, they have a floating-off-the-wall effect that will brighten up your space.
The cap part is a bit stiff, so using a ruler to make firm creases will help you achieve a clean finish—do give it a try.
A mushroom that snaps in a second
Here’s an easy-to-fold mushroom you can make in seconds, with few complicated steps.
Fold about a 1-centimeter-wide strip along the edge of the origami paper.
Insert your finger into the center of the colored side of the paper and push it in.
Remove your finger and adjust the shape, and your mushroom is complete.
The part where you inserted your finger becomes the mushroom’s stem base, creating a three-dimensional mushroom.
Because the steps are simple and it can be made in no time, it should be easy even for small children.
Since it’s a 3D piece, it’s also great for making wreaths or hanging decorations.
face-shaped mushroom
Here’s an introduction to a craft featuring an origami mushroom with a drawn face.
Speaking of mushrooms with faces, you might think of the Super Mushroom or 1-Up Mushroom from Super Mario.
Adding facial features to a mushroom makes it even cuter.
Let’s fold a mushroom shape from a single sheet of origami paper.
It’s also recommended to use paper with polka dots or other patterns.
Once you’re done, draw eyes and a mouth around the stem base.
Try different expressions—crying, smiling, angry, and more—and have fun creating a variety of faces!
Two mushrooms in one slice
This is a method for folding two mushrooms from a single sheet of origami paper.
You’ll use rectangular pieces made by quartering a square sheet of origami paper.
The process involves folding a mushroom at each end of the rectangle, so it may be a bit more challenging than other mushroom origami.
However, there aren’t that many steps, and if you proceed carefully, checking each one as you go, you should be able to make it successfully.
Since origami paper has a grain direction, when you cut the square sheet, find the direction that folds more easily vertically and cut accordingly; this will make the subsequent steps easier to fold.
shiitake mushroom
This is how to fold a shiitake mushroom using a rectangular piece made by cutting a square sheet of origami paper in half.
The steps are very simple throughout, so it should be easy for children and adults who aren’t very dexterous to try.
If you change the length of the section that’s folded back partway through, the length of the stem in the finished piece will vary, so try folding while imagining your preferred silhouette.
When making a shiitake, brown origami paper works well, and using wood-grain patterned paper will make it look even more like a real shiitake.
Kinoko no Yama
Let’s try making an origami craft that looks just like the snack “Kinoko no Yama.” Fold a small piece of origami paper to make the mushroom cap.
Since this would be the chocolate part of the snack, brown origami paper is recommended.
Next, using a piece of origami paper the same size as the cap, fold the stipe (stem).
Since this would be the cracker part of the snack, ocher-colored paper might be a good choice.
There are some fine folds involved, but that’s what makes the finished mushroom look very polished.
Use yellow and yellow-green origami paper to make the Kinoko no Yama box, and try placing your folded mushrooms inside.
Kids are sure to be delighted by how closely it resembles the real thing.
Simple 3D Mushroom
Let’s try making a 3D mushroom using two sheets of origami paper.
First, use the brown paper to fold the cap.
Fold the paper in half twice to make a smaller square, open it up, form a triangle, and then make a few more folds to finish—so the difficulty level isn’t high.
Next, take the light yellow paper, fold it in half, then crease it into four equal sections and shape it like a triangular prism.
Finally, combine the two pieces to complete your 3D mushroom.
If you look at the finished piece, it looks just like Meiji’s Kinoko no Yama! Kids might be delighted if you make one and show it to them.
Mushroom ornament
This is a method for folding a three-dimensional mushroom that can stand on its own for display.
You’ll use a quarter-sized square sheet of origami paper and an eighth-sized rectangular sheet.
You’ll also need glue and scissors.
Hearing that tools are involved might make you think, “Isn’t that difficult?” but there’s no need to worry—it’s made with simple steps, so give it a try.
First, fold the quarter-sized origami paper three times into a triangle, then round off the open edge with scissors.
Glue the overlapping section to complete the cap.
After that, roll the eighth-sized paper into a cylinder and attach it to finish.
It feels more like a simple craft than traditional origami, so try making it with your child.
matsutake (pine mushroom)
Speaking of matsutake, it’s one of the finest ingredients and could be called the king of autumn flavors enjoyed on special occasions.
When it comes to the distinctive shape of matsutake, the long, straight stem and the rounded cap come to mind.
With this folding method, you can recreate that very form of a matsutake! When folding the cap, try to keep that characteristic rounded shape in mind as you proceed.
The steps are very simple, so even people who don’t usually do origami or small children should be able to try it.