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 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?
Two-colored Crane
The “Two-Color Crane” is perfect for celebrating the New Year with a lucky decoration! Make it in red and white and you’ll have a splendid good-luck charm.
All you need is a single sheet of origami paper.
Just a slight tweak to the standard crane fold and you’re done! When you step away from the fixed idea of “this is the only way to fold a crane,” you can create something this wonderful.
Make lots of them and place them in your living room or entryway to instantly boost the New Year mood.
Give it a try with your family!
lion dance
New Year’s is exciting for both kids and adults.
How about making an origami shishimai (lion dance) that everyone can enjoy? The shishimai, made by combining parts of various sizes, is perfect for the whole family to build together.
With creative colors and patterns, you can finish a one-of-a-kind original lion dance! It’s perfect for the New Year atmosphere and also recommended for craft time at schools or in the community.
Making it as a family will create fun memories.
Experience the warmth of handmade crafts to brighten the New Year.
Mount Fuji
As a craft to welcome a heartwarming New Year, origami depicting Mt.
Fuji can be a wonderful choice for families.
This New Year–themed origami brings people together, sparks children’s creativity, and encourages parent–child communication.
What’s more, it’s delightful that older adults can easily join in without needing advanced techniques.
In addition to soothing adults, it also makes good use of children’s idle time—through making Mt.
Fuji origami, they can develop concentration and fine motor skills.
We recommend this origami activity, which can leave you feeling as refreshed as if you were watching the first sunrise of the year.
For the New Year! A collection of fun origami ideas for childcare—make, decorate, and play (21–30)
folding fan
When it comes to January, crafts with a Japanese theme are a perfect fit.
One recommendation is a folding fan! If you make it with gold or silver origami paper and display it in your room, it instantly creates a festive atmosphere.
Using a single sheet of origami is simple and nice, but if you want a more polished finish, try attaching different origami paper to the handle area and the ends.
There are no complicated steps, so even small children can make this origami without any trouble!
