[Childcare] Things to make in October! Easy origami ideas
October is a month full of events like sports days and Halloween.
It’s also a great time to play outside and pick up acorns and fallen leaves while out on a walk.
In this article, we introduce origami ideas recommended for October.
We’ve gathered ideas you can use for Halloween decorations and autumn wall displays, such as ghosts, pumpkins, acorns, and ginkgo leaves.
Each idea features simple folds that kids can try, so give them a go if you like.
We also recommend stringing your creations together to make an autumn garland or hanging decoration.
- [Childcare] Simple fall origami ideas
- For 5-Year-Olds: Enjoy Autumn! Easy Origami Ideas
- October origami kids will love! Easy ideas from Halloween to autumn flavors
- [Autumn] Easy Origami Ideas for November
- Fun Halloween Origami for 3-Year-Olds
- [Childcare] For 5-year-olds! Autumn craft ideas
- Simple Origami Ideas to Enjoy in Autumn (For 4-Year-Olds)
- Halloween origami that captivates 2-year-olds! A fun collection of ideas to make together with your child
- October origami for preschoolers: a collection of seasonal ideas
- Let's Make and Display! Origami Perfect for Halloween
- Make October Even More Fun for Preschoolers! A Collection of Origami Ideas
- [Preschool] Recommended for 3-year-olds! Easy-to-make fall origami craft ideas
- [October] Craft ideas for fall you can use in childcare
[Childcare] Things to make in October! Simple origami ideas (101–110)
maple leaves
Let’s make bright red autumn maple leaves with origami.
However, folding a maple leaf from a single sheet is quite challenging.
That’s why I recommend a method that uses two sheets of origami paper.
Fold them into a vertical piece and a horizontal piece, then glue the two together at the end to complete it.
The vertical piece involves many broad, simple folds, while the horizontal piece includes some slightly more complex, tucked-in folds, so take care with that.
That said, if an adult helps with the tricky parts, it should be an enjoyable activity.
Apple
https://www.tiktok.com/@chooobo2/video/7287903569431350529Apples are delicious fruits from autumn through winter, and their round, red appearance gives them a cute charm.
This origami apple turns out fairly large, making it easy to use as part of decorations.
The folding method is to first crease the paper into four sections; fold the bottom half’s corners toward the center to create a pointed shape, and fold the top half straight toward the center.
From there, round off the corners with an apple shape in mind.
By folding toward the back side, the front looks neat and clean, so it could be fun to add decorations like a message on that surface.
ginkgo
This is a simple origami project that elementary school children can enjoy: a ginkgo leaf.
Ginkgo leaves that have turned yellow have a distinctive shape, don’t they? Pay attention to that shape as you enjoy making this origami.
You’ll make the leaf and the stem as separate parts and combine them at the end.
The ginkgo leaf is made using half the size of a standard origami sheet, but feel free to make it in any size you like, such as even smaller ones! It could also be fun to make lots of leaf pieces to represent a ginkgo tree.
Pacific saury
Great for autumn crafts! Here’s a fun idea for making a Pacific saury (sanma).
You’ll need one sheet of origami paper, colored pencils, and scissors.
Sanma is a classic autumn fish that really captures the season’s appetite.
First, fold the origami paper into a triangle, then unfold it and fold both sides toward the crease.
Next, fold one third inward, and repeat on the other side.
Make small cuts at the tip with scissors, fold it diagonally inward, then fold it outward.
Fold the opposite side toward the center, flip it over, and draw the pattern—done! Add details with colored pencils to make your sanma look even more realistic.
Dracula
Dracula usually has a creepy, scary image, but why not try making a cute version with origami? There aren’t many complicated folds, but the key is to make sharp, precise creases as you go! Finish by drawing Dracula’s facial expression.
Depending on the face you draw, you can make it cute or, on the contrary, give it a scary look—there are lots of ways to customize it! If you have time, adding a cape or a top hat will boost the Halloween vibes even more.
Halloween monster balloon
For a Halloween-perfect origami project for three-year-olds, I recommend monster balloons.
Take the traditional origami balloon and give it a Halloween twist! The balloon has relatively simple steps with few folds, so you can enjoy making it together with your child.
Before inflating the balloon, let your child freely draw a face or add decorations they like to create their very own original ghost! Teachers looking to boost the fun Halloween atmosphere, and parents who want to enjoy handmade activities with their children, should definitely give this idea a try.
fly agaric
Here’s an idea for making a fly agaric mushroom that captures its distinctive features.
You will need red origami paper and white round stickers.
The fly agaric is a mushroom characterized by its red cap with white spots and it grows on the ground in broadleaf forests.
Although it looks attractive, it is poisonous, so be careful not to touch it carelessly if you see one.
Use the red origami paper to make the cap and add spots with the white round stickers.
Some steps are a bit tricky, so it’s safer to work together with a parent or teacher!
squirrel
Squirrels are so cute with their fluffy tails and cheeks stuffed with acorns.
How about making this autumn favorite out of origami? Even with simple folds, a few clever touches will give you an adorable-looking squirrel! The tail is expressed by making a cut with scissors and folding it so that it sticks out to the side.
To finish, add the squirrel’s facial features and body patterns with colored pencils or pens.
You could also make a separate acorn and have the squirrel hold it for an extra-cute touch.
Three-dimensional mushrooms made by cutting
Enjoy a wide variety of variations! Here are ideas for making three-dimensional mushrooms by cutting and assembling paper.
You will need origami paper cut into quarter size, origami paper cut into eighth size, colored pens or round stickers, scissors, and glue or craft adhesive.
This is a project idea for three-year-olds to make using scissors! Let’s use origami paper to create 3D mushrooms.
If you draw faces or add decorations with colored pens and round stickers, you’ll have a one-of-a-kind mushroom! Be sure that a parent or teacher supervises when using scissors.
Mushrooms you can make with basic folding methods
Let’s make it using origami in your favorite colors and patterns! Here are some mushroom ideas you can create with basic folding techniques.
All you need is origami paper and colored pens.
This is a recommended activity for 3-year-olds to enjoy the world of origami! Using colorful origami and simple folds, try making cute mushrooms.
Draw faces with colored pens, and the mushrooms will transform into big smiles! Just by folding, your mushroom collection will grow and grow—before you know it, you might have a little mushroom village.