Kids’ Origami: Cute and Easy Ideas to Make for a Birthday
How about adding some handmade origami items to your birthday decorations and gifts?There are lots of cute birthday items you can make with origami, like cakes, medals, and message cards.In this article, we’ve gathered easy folding ideas you can enjoy with kids.They’re fun for both girls and boys, so the excitement will start building from the moment you begin party prep.Find your favorites and deliver a one-of-a-kind celebration!
[Kids’ Origami] Cute and Easy Birthday Crafts You’ll Want to Make! (1–10)
How to Fold a Flower with a Single SheetNEW!
A flower you can make with a single sheet of origami paper is a perfect idea for birthday decorations.
First, fold the paper toward the center to create creases all over.
Next, open the inside as you fold to shape it, and carefully fold to form triangles on the outside.
Then, fold while opening the inside further so the petals spread out softly.
Finally, lightly fold the edges of the paper and place a round sticker in the center to finish.
Pressing the creases firmly with your fingers helps the shape stay in place.
It also looks beautiful lined up in different colors, so it’s highly recommended.
Cat Message Card
A cute cat message card holding a present is sure to delight any child.
You’ll make the cat’s face, body, and the present using three sheets of origami—one for each part.
For the face, first fold the top and bottom into triangles.
Fold the left and right into triangles as well to create crease lines.
Next, fold along the creases, fold the edges diagonally, and tuck in the corners to shape the cat’s face, head, and ears.
Glue the finished face and body together.
The present piece can be used as a standalone message card, too.
It can also stand up for display, so the excitement can last even longer.
Bouquet message cardNEW!
A bouquet message card made of origami is a perfect idea for a birthday when you want to express your feelings.
First, fold the origami paper in half, then rotate it and fold it in half again.
Trim the lower left and right edges to shape it, then fold up to the creases in order to create the base of the bouquet.
Make a separate triangular piece to form a ribbon and attach it, then evenly glue on colorful petals to finish it off as a vibrant bouquet.
The key is to layer them little by little to create a three-dimensional effect.
Writing a name in the center adds a special touch.
A surprise box made of origami!NEW!
These days, you can get just about anything you want—even 100-yen shops have “packaging and wrapping” sections.
Precisely because we live in such a time, the charm of handmade items really stands out.
How about a surprise box for holding a small birthday present? You make a square box out of origami, and when you lift the lid, the four side walls—acting as the box’s sides—fall flat with a flip.
It sounds like a trick, but really it’s just that the four sides aren’t taped together! It’ll make for a little surprise that brightens up a birthday.
It would look great with homemade cookies or handmade accessories tucked inside as a gift.
Flat present boxNEW!
A flat present box you can make from a single sheet of origami paper is a cute idea to stick onto a birthday card.
First, fold the paper inward twice, crease firmly, then unfold.
Rotate it, fold back the other way, and fold to the crease; flip it over and repeat the same folds.
To create the ribbon in the center, fold triangles as if forming a bow, then open and squash-fold to give the ribbon a three-dimensional shape.
Finally, secure with glue and adjust the shape to finish.
Making crisp creases results in a neat finish, and simply changing the color or pattern can dramatically change the look.
Perfect for small gifts! Gift wrappingNEW!
If you’re thinking that a birthday present might feel a bit plain when both the wrapping bag and its contents are store-bought, how about a handmade mini pouch made from origami? It’s the perfect little pouch for small chocolates or candies, so once you learn how to make it, you’ll find it handy in many situations.
All you need is origami paper and glue—even if you’re not confident with crafts, it’s OK! Using 15 cm × 15 cm origami paper yields a palm-sized pouch.
Since it’s made by layering the paper, it’s reasonably sturdy too, which is a nice bonus.
crown
When made with gold or silver origami paper, this origami crown looks very glamorous and stands out at parties.
It’s a sturdy, impressive crown, yet the method is surprisingly simple.
First, prepare five 15 cm square sheets of origami paper and some glue.
Fold each sheet into a triangle by bringing the top and bottom corners together.
Next, fold it again to crease by bringing the left and right corners together.
Make five of these, then insert the point of each triangle into the adjacent pocket and connect them to complete the crown.
Finally, add sparkly stickers or decorate it however you like!
shortcake
It’s a cute shortcake you can fold from a single sheet of origami paper.
First, with the colored side facing inward, fold it into a triangle twice—top to bottom and left to right—then fold up to the center line to make creases.
Next, fold the bottom corner up to the halfway line at the center to make a small triangle.
Then fold the left and right corners to the center line, and tuck in the top triangle.
After that, fold the bottom corner back up and fold in the left and right sides.
Finally, draw and cut out the whipped cream part, and color the strawberry area with a red pen—you’re done! It’s also fun that using brown origami and curving the whipped cream part turns it into a Mont Blanc.
A gift-shaped message card
If you add a little present-shaped message card to your gift, it will spark excitement and boost the birthday mood.
First, fold a sheet of origami paper in half into a square, then fold it in half horizontally twice to make crease lines.
Open it once, and fold the top and bottom to the nearest crease.
Next, with the white side facing down, fold the top, bottom, left, and right to the halfway point.
Open the pocket at the top so it forms a ribbon shape, tuck in the bottom, and you’re done.
Enjoy making your own original message card by using your favorite colors or drawing patterns on the box part.
Congratulations medal
A vibrant medal made with two sheets of origami paper.
Use one sheet for the outer part and the other for the inner part.
There are many folding steps, but they’re mostly simple repetitions: making crease lines, folding into triangles and squares, and opening up pocket-like sections.
Combining the outer and inner parts is fun too, so it’s great to make with children.
Once finished, you can attach a string to wear it around the neck, or add ribbons to the bottom to make it look like a corsage—both are lovely.
Be sure to write a message in the center, too!