Lovely Play & Recreation

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 the New Year! A collection of fun origami ideas for childcare—make, decorate, and play (41–50)

mumps

[Origami] How to fold an Otafuku (Lucky Lady) with a single sheet [With voice commentary] A simple and cute good-luck charm recommended for New Year’s and Setsubun!

mumps

Speaking of New Year’s, Otahuku (the “Otafuku” smiling lady) is a classic, isn’t it? This piece is an origami project that creates just the base of the Otafuku—the face and hair.

After that, you can draw the face or cut out red paper into circles and paste them on.

If you want to have fun with children, it’s also great to prepare the parts and play fukuwarai.

If you’re making the parts, scissors will be used, so please be extremely careful when working with small children.

It might be a good idea to divide roles—have the child make the base and the parent make the parts.

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kite

Let's fly and have fun in a wide-open space! Origami kite

kite

When it comes to New Year’s, kite flying is what excites children the most.

A kite that’s easy to make at home is perfect for a fun winter break project.

For example, using a lightweight, easy-to-handle plastic bag as the base lets both kids and adults enjoy making it together.

By decorating the kite with colorful tape and markers, you can create a one-of-a-kind piece full of personality.

The smiles on children’s faces as they watch their homemade kite flutter in the wind are truly unforgettable New Year’s moments.

As a craft activity that deepens parent-child communication, kite-making is highly recommended.

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snow rabbit

“Childcare Ideas: Winter Origami” Fold in 4 + 5 Steps! Snow Rabbit Origami (Kids Can Make It Themselves!) · Origami Snow Rabbit Easy

snow rabbit

A popular and charming decoration for celebrating the New Year is the snow rabbit craft.

This handmade item—one of the joys of DIY—is easy enough for children to make and is full of ideas that the whole family can enjoy together.

Start by crumpling newspaper by hand to form the rabbit’s body.

This simple task will spark children’s creativity.

Next, handcraft the ears and eyes using white copier paper or colored paper.

Attach them, and an adorable rabbit will appear.

Although the process is simple, the finished piece gently brightens a room and enhances the festive New Year atmosphere.

It’s friendly, uses minimal materials, and is easy for anyone to try—highly recommended.

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origami wreath

Origami Simple Wreath: Easy Folding Tutorial (niceno1)

origami wreath

Let’s make a simple wreath out of origami without using glue or scissors! It’s a handy wreath you can use not only for New Year’s but also for other events like Christmas.

The method is easy: make eight identical pieces from origami paper and assemble them at the end.

If you decorate it with New Year’s-themed origami motifs, it will become a piece full of seasonal charm.

If you make it together with children for the New Year, it will surely fill everyone with excitement as the new year approaches!

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want to

[Origami] Easy! New Year’s Sea Bream – How to Fold ORIGAMI Fish

want to

Let’s try folding a sea bream—the classic symbol of celebration—out of origami! It’s perfect for children’s New Year origami play or as a craft activity for seniors.

The key is to proceed while firmly making each crease at the start.

It’s also nice that there aren’t many folds or fine steps.

Finish by drawing the fish’s eyes, scales, and fins, and you’re done.

If you’re not comfortable drawing with a pen, you can easily complete it by using round stickers and the like.

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Daruma

[Origami] How to Fold a New Year’s Daruma – Origami Daruma

Daruma

This is a daruma origami that’s perfect for New Year’s decorations.

The key point is that it’s an easy folding method that kids can try too! The trick is to make firm creases at the beginning as you fold.

After shaping it into a square, you fold the corners to create a round daruma.

Finish by drawing the daruma’s face and patterns, and you’re done! If you want an even easier way to make the face, you can use round stickers.

Enjoy making them with origami in various colors and patterns!

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chopstick sleeve

Origami chopstick holder: Understand it in 1 minute!! Super easy.

chopstick sleeve

How about making chopstick sleeves out of origami that you can use at the New Year’s table? You won’t need any difficult folds, so anyone can make them easily and quickly! The keys to this origami are to crease firmly, form it into a sleeve at the end, and finish by showing off the pattern.

Whether it’s a traditional Japanese motif or a playful design, any patterned origami paper will make a lovely chopstick sleeve.

Try using your favorite pattern to brighten up your New Year’s table.

It would also be wonderful to take on this project together as a family while preparing for the holiday!

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