For New Year’s! A collection of fun origami ideas to make, decorate, and play with in childcare
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!
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For New Year’s! A collection of fun origami ideas for childcare—make, decorate, and play (1–10)
pine
When the New Year arrives, you feel motivated to tackle the coming year with a fresh mindset, don’t you? A motif perfect for such a New Year is the pine.
It’s said to bring good fortune when displayed at the entrance.
Pine symbolizes eternal life and longevity.
By displaying a pine, which has strong vitality, it also conveys the wish to live healthily and energetically.
Why not make such a pine out of origami and hope for a healthy year ahead? First, prepare green origami paper.
The key is to make firm, crisp folds.
Finish by drawing details with a pen, and it’s done in no time!
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.
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!
For the New Year! A collection of fun origami ideas for childcare—make, decorate, and play (11–20)
celebratory crane
Celebratory cranes are indispensable for adding color to the New Year’s table.
They symbolize longevity and marital harmony, and are considered a lucky motif.
It’s also a great idea for everyone to make these festive cranes together with origami for the New Year.
Choose origami paper with a beautiful pattern and give it a try.
You can start by following the basic steps for folding a crane.
Partway through, you’ll create large wings, which makes the process a bit more complex, but if you crease firmly, it will come out beautifully.
Finally, spread the wings wide, and your dazzling celebratory crane is complete.
battledore (a traditional Japanese decorative paddle used for New Year, also used in the game hanetsuki)
In the old days, it was popular to play with hagoita paddles and shuttlecocks during the New Year.
For older people, it’s probably a nostalgic pastime.
Hagoita are known as protective charms for girls.
Displaying them at New Year is said to ward off evil and promote good health.
Let’s make a hagoita out of origami to wish for children’s healthy growth.
It’s recommended to use bright, decorative origami paper for the hagoita.
The paddle part comes together quickly by folding it over several times.
Then attach the handle.
You can also fold the shuttlecock out of origami, shaping it as you go for an easy finish.
It makes a very cute decoration, and displaying it in your room will let you fully enjoy the New Year atmosphere.
kotatsu
Here’s an idea for making a kotatsu out of origami.
A kotatsu—often seen as a symbol of cozy family time—can make you forget the chill of winter.
If you craft one with origami, you can enjoy the process with your children while creating warm memories together.
Start by folding a basic kotatsu, then add tangerines or little animals to make it even more fun.
Because origami uses the fingertips, it’s perfect for nurturing children’s concentration and imagination.
On cold days, why not spend time enjoying kotatsu-themed origami?
mandarin orange
The tangerine origami is done in no time—just fold it into a triangle and fold the corners along the creases! It’s also nice to draw fine patterns with a pen.
If you add eyes and a mouth, you’ll get an adorable character-like tangerine.
Changing the size so everyone in the family can enjoy different variations sounds fun, too.
Around New Year’s, it’s also recommended to place it on top of kagami mochi origami! The orange color gives a wintry feel, so kids are sure to love it.
When family and relatives gather, definitely give it a try as an origami activity everyone can enjoy together.