Perfect origami ideas for September! A special feature on motifs you’ll want to include in early childhood education
September brings Otsukimi (moon viewing) and Respect for the Aged Day, as the seasons gradually shift from summer to autumn.
Children make great strides during this time, too.
Some teachers may want to incorporate origami into their childcare activities but find it difficult to choose seasonal designs.
So this time, we’re introducing origami ideas perfect for September.
We’ve gathered ideas that match autumn motifs and events, so you can not only enjoy folding origami but also use the creations for crafts and gifts.
Try making them together with the children.
Perfect origami ideas for September! A special feature on motifs you’ll want to incorporate into childcare (1–10)
Moon-viewing dumplings
Moon-viewing dumplings are essential for Otsukimi, aren’t they? Some people might even say they prefer the dumplings to the moon itself! For origami moon-viewing dumplings, you make the dumpling pieces and the sanpō (the three-sided stand used as the base) separately and then combine them.
If you’re doing this as a craft activity in a nursery school or kindergarten, it’s perfect for small groups of children ages four and up.
Origami is also an excellent material for developing children’s fine motor skills and creativity, so why not actively incorporate it?
kaki
When it comes to familiar autumn fruits, persimmons come to mind, don’t they? If you take a walk around the neighborhood, you’ll often see persimmon trees in people’s yards! Persimmons, well-known to children, make a perfect motif for autumn origami.
By attaching light green origami paper, representing the calyx, to orange origami paper, you can make a persimmon with just one sheet! Make lots of them for wall or hanging decorations, or use them for pretend play.
Autumn delicacies are motifs that let you enjoy the season’s feel with ease, so why not have teachers and children enjoy making them together?
Amulet for Respect for the Aged Day
Here’s a recommended way to make a good-luck charm that’s perfect as a Respect for the Aged Day gift in September! A charm made with love by children for their grandparents is sure to be cherished.
The basic method is very simple.
You can also create variations to suit the children’s ages, such as using two colors or adding lace paper! You could even tuck a message like “Stay healthy forever” or a drawing inside the charm.
If you’re looking for a September craft idea, definitely give this one a try.
[With your favorite pattern] Mushroom
![[With your favorite pattern] Mushroom](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/PUZ-JlgPoIo/sddefault.jpg)
Mushrooms with cute shapes are a perfect motif to make together with children! If you’re looking for a September craft, try making this autumn-themed project with origami.
The basic method is very simple, so even young children can work on it with a teacher.
You can also add patterns to the mushroom caps with pens, stamps, or stickers to suit the children’s ages.
Once they get the hang of it, you can make lots of them and enjoy pretend play, too!
Grandparents’ Day Portrait Origami
This portrait origami is perfect for making crafts for Respect for the Aged Day in September.
Try creating designs inspired by grandpa’s and grandma’s faces! It also makes a great handmade present from children to their grandparents, so why not introduce it in childcare settings? The trickiest part when making the face is the ears.
Since they require some fine folding, take your time and make firm creases.
You can also tear a separate sheet of origami paper and paste it on for the hairstyle.
Finish by drawing in the facial features, and you’re done.
If you’re unsure what to make for Respect for the Aged Day, this easy, approachable portrait origami is highly recommended.
rabbit
Speaking of September, it’s moon-viewing season, so here’s an origami rabbit that’s perfect for crafting toward the Harvest Moon! The steps are simple: make the rabbit’s head and body separately, then attach them at the end.
Beginners can try it with help from a teacher.
These cute rabbits also make great wall decorations! If you add autumn motifs like the moon, rice dumplings, and pampas grass, you’ll feel the season even more.
Teachers, please enjoy folding origami together and deepen your bonds with the children!
origami tree
Here’s how to make an origami tree that can also be used as parts for wall decorations! Make the leaves and the trunk from separate sheets of origami paper, then glue them together at the end.
Use red or orange paper for an autumn foliage vibe, or white paper to create a snow-covered tree—the variations are endless! You can also use a larger sheet for the trunk to turn it into a perch for birds and other figures.
Plus, children can enjoy decorating the leaves freely by adding stickers or drawing patterns according to their age.