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For New Year’s! A collection of fun origami ideas to make, decorate, and play with in childcare

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.
Accompanist / Piano Instructoryuri
Accompanist pianist × piano instructor × web writer. I began piano lessons at age four and, inspired by my piano teacher, decided to pursue music. I went on to specialized music programs in high school and university, where I discovered the appeal of accompanying instrumentalists and singers. Currently, alongside teaching piano, I work mainly in my home region of Aichi as an accompanist for flute, voice, choir, and more. Through lessons, my students often introduce me to trending songs, and my hobby is trying anything on the piano—Japanese and Western pop, commercial jingles, and beyond. Since 2021, I’ve also been active as a web writer, covering music and a variety of other genres.

Where do you start when preparing to welcome the New Year at a daycare or kindergarten? In this article, we’ve gathered origami ideas for the New Year that children can enjoy together.

From classic motifs like daruma dolls, lion dances, and kagami mochi to crafts that lead to play—such as playing fukuwarai with an otafuku mask or writing wishes on ema plaques—these are all projects that extend the fun after folding! There are no difficult steps, and we focus on activities that small hands can try with an adult’s help.

Once finished, use them as wall decorations or display them in the classroom to boost the New Year atmosphere!

For New Year’s! A collection of fun origami ideas for childcare—make, decorate, and play (1–10)

Recommended for winter! Oden origamiNEW!

@hoikushi_worker
How to fold “Oden” with origami. A perfect craft idea for chilly winter days! Use origami paper to make konnyaku, daikon, and chikuwa. Skewer them and place them on a paper plate, and you’ve got delicious-looking oden! Display them on the wall, make lots and play pretend oden shop, too. ================================= Do you have any concerns at your childcare workplace? Even if it’s not related to this post, tell us about any issues or worries you have in the comments! Let’s exchange ideas casually.#Childcare Crafting #Nursery School Craft #Wall Creation wall surface #Recital #HomeCrafts Autumn Crafts Papercraft #papercraft #kidscrafts Origami play Origami origami #OuchiMonte #AtHomeMontessori Early childhood education materials Childcare #Nursery school Nursery teacher / Childcare worker #First year as a nursery teacher #Kindergarten Kindergarten Teacher Kindergarten teacher Aspiring childcare worker #NurseryTeacherInTraining Nursery school teacher #NurseryTeacherThings Childcare student #IWantToConnectWithChildcareWorkers Nursery Teacher Worker ================================
♪ Original Song – [Sharing Useful Info for Nursery Teachers!] Hoikushi Worker – [Sharing Useful Info for Nursery Teachers!] Hoikushi Worker

When the weather turns cold, oden starts appearing by the register at convenience stores.

It’s a classic dish that every Japanese person thinks of as a winter staple.

This time, let’s make oden with origami! We’ll show you how to make konnyaku with triangles, daikon using the zabuton (cushion) fold, and burdock root by rolling a sheet of origami paper.

Try drawing patterns with colored pencils or crayons as you go.

In the end, it will take the shape of skewered oden, so enjoy sharing some hot, piping oden together.

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Easy! Origami SnowmanNEW!

[Origami] Easy Snowman ⛄ How to make a paper snowman #Snowman #Yukidaruma #SnowPerson #눈사람 #Snowman #Christmas #OrigamiInstructions #Origami #Paper #종이

Easy! Origami SnowmanNEW!

Speaking of snowmen, they’re usually two-tiered, but this time let’s make a three-tiered snowman! First, fold the top and bottom corners of the origami paper toward the center.

Flip the paper over, then fold the top and bottom edges you just made toward the center in the same way.

At this point, the top and bottom corners will stick out, so fold those in to meet the center as well.

Next, place the paper vertically and make creases by folding the top and bottom corners twice each.

Align the corners with the center of the paper and the inner corners of the diamonds at the top and bottom.

Once the creases are made, flip the paper over and perform a pleat fold from the bottom, matching the creases to create the three tiers of the snowman.

Then, using the remaining top crease, fold the top part of the paper to the back, and fold the corners of the pleated section into triangles.

Finally, tuck the remaining bottom corner to the back, and your snowman is complete!

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Let’s try folding winter fruit, the mikan (mandarin)!NEW!

[Origami] Let’s fold a mandarin orange! A winter fruit.

Let's try folding winter fruit, the mikan (mandarin)!NEW!

When it comes to classic winter fruits, mikan (mandarins) are the best! Their sweet, delicious taste makes it hard to stop at just one.

So here’s an origami idea to enjoy in February: how to fold a mikan.

First, fold the paper into a triangle twice to create creases.

Open it up, then fold all four corners inward into triangles to give the mikan a rounded shape.

That’s it for the folding steps.

Turn the paper face up and attach a stem using a small green circular sheet.

Finally, draw the surface oil glands with a pen, and you’re done!

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For the New Year! A collection of fun origami ideas for childcare—make, decorate, and play (11–20)

magic mallet

[Good-Luck Origami] How to Fold the Magic Mallet

magic mallet

When it comes to auspicious New Year’s motifs, doesn’t the magic mallet (Uchide no Kozuchi) come to mind? It’s said that when you swing it, your various wishes are granted.

It’s a treasure carried by Daikoku-sama.

Displaying one at home seems like it would bring good fortune and positive energy.

Let’s make this magic mallet with origami.

You’ll need origami paper, round stickers, and double-sided tape or a tape glue runner.

First, fold along a diagonal to make a crease, then fold all four corners inward.

Once it forms a square, fold the corners to shape it into a magic mallet.

Finally, draw a flower using round stickers, and it’s complete.

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maneki-neko (beckoning cat)

[New Year Origami] Easy and Cute Maneki-neko Folding Instructions / Origami Lucky Cat

maneki-neko (beckoning cat)

Maneki-neko are also sold as New Year decorations at places like Hatsumode shrines, aren’t they? Raising the left paw is said to bring prosperity in business, while raising the right paw invites money and good luck.

The benefits also differ by color, with effects such as good relationships, health, increased financial fortune, academic success, and luck in love.

It’s hard to choose just one, isn’t it? Pick your favorite color and try making a lovely maneki-neko! The key point is folding the cat’s face.

There are several layered folds, so the steps are a bit detailed, but be sure to create that cute, rounded look of the kitty.

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Checkered frame

[Made with a single sheet of origami] Easy! How to fold a lattice-pattern frame ◇ Origami Japanese-pattern frame New Year’s decorations: sea bream, pine, and plum blossoms

Checkered frame

Decorating with New Year-themed motifs makes the holiday feel even more enjoyable, doesn’t it? The lattice pattern we’re introducing this time symbolizes eternity and prosperity, making it very auspicious.

Displaying it in your room can create a stylish atmosphere.

And guess what—you can make this lattice pattern with origami.

It’s easy to craft, so it’s suitable for everyone from children to seniors.

Start by choosing your favorite origami paper and begin folding.

The part where you create the lattice pattern involves some fine work, which is great for dexterity.

Combine it with motifs like plum blossoms, sea bream, and pine to make it stand out even more.

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ritual arrow (hamaya)

How to fold New Year’s decorations made of origami: Hamaya (ritual arrow). How to make an origami Hamaya arrow.

ritual arrow (hamaya)

Many people probably make a point of buying a hamaya (ritual arrow) when they go for their first shrine visit of the New Year.

It’s said that keeping a hamaya wards off misfortune and calamities and grants wishes for happiness and good health.

It’s considered best to display it in a high, dignified spot with a sacred atmosphere, such as on a household altar, by the entrance, or in the living room.

Let’s make a hamaya out of origami right away.

Although it may look difficult at first glance, the folding method is actually very simple.

You can easily make it just by cutting and gluing.

Add a little bell or an ema plaque, and you’ll have a splendid, festive hamaya!

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