[For 5-year-olds] Let’s enjoy summer! Summer craft ideas for 5-year-olds

happi (traditional Japanese festival coat)

[Origami] Happi Coat - Easy How-To | Summer Festival Origami | Folding method kids can make | Summer Origami | Origami for July, August, and September [Origami]

Let’s make a happi coat—often worn at Japanese festivals and traditional events—out of origami.

First, fold the paper in half into a square twice and unfold.

Next, fold up the bottom edge about 1 cm.

Turn it over and fold the bottom corners on both sides inward, slightly offset from the center crease.

Then fold both side edges inward so they’re the same width, and make inside reverse folds where the layers overlap on both sides.

Turn the paper over and fold the bottom edge up to the color boundary near the top.

Open out the two corners in the middle and fold them outward.

Finally, draw a pattern to finish.

Try making lots of colorful, unique happi coats!

Plump Wind Chime

[Easy ✨ Origami] How to Make a Wind Chime 🎐 Plump and 3D [Summer Wall Decoration] Sways in the Breeze for Extra Refreshment!

How about making a wind chime out of origami that captures the feeling of summer with its cool tone and a strip of paper swaying in the breeze? First, fold the origami paper in half into a square twice.

Next, draw lines on the square as if shaping flower petals, then cut along the lines with scissors.

Snip off a tiny bit in the center so there’s a small hole.

Open the paper; once it looks like a flower, gather the tips of the petals toward the center, overlap them, and glue them down.

Finally, thread a string through and attach a tanzaku (paper strip) to the string to finish.

If you thread a small bell onto the string, it will make a sound and feel even more like a wind chime.

This softly rounded, cute wind chime is perfect to make and display by your window!

Yukata Kids

Speaking of summer, you often see people going out to festivals wearing yukata.

Here’s an introduction to making “Yukata Kids” with origami.

It’s recommended to use patterned origami paper for the yukata.

The steps are simple, so fold each part carefully and assemble while checking the overall balance.

There are separate face and hair parts for a girl and a boy, so choose whichever you like and give it a try.

Adding a ribbon or other accessory on the hair makes it look more stylish, enhances the summery feel, and results in an even cuter finish.

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beetle (specifically, a rhinoceros beetle)

[Origami] How to fold a rhinoceros beetle – Origami Beetle, a cool summer insect [with audio commentary] / Baaba’s Origami

With its glossy black body and large horn, the rhinoceros beetle is as captivating as the king of insects.

Let’s make this cool beetle with origami! The folding method introduced here involves many fine steps and complex techniques, making it suitable for older children who are comfortable with origami and eager to try something challenging.

Fold slowly together with the kids, checking each step as you go.

Try changing the colors or drawing eyes to create different beetles, and display them in your room for fun.

stag beetle

[Summer Origami] How to fold a stag beetle with audio commentary ☆ Origami easily — Stag Beetle Tutorial, August Summer Decoration

Here’s a popular stag beetle you can make with origami that’s a big hit with kids.

We recommend preparing black or brown origami paper.

Line up the left and right edges of the paper and crease along the center.

By making firm creases, it becomes easier to fold the beetle’s base body and mandibles evenly.

Fold the body while checking the size and keeping the balance.

Finally, fold both sides of the body to finish.

Add eyes and draw a face to create a cool-looking stag beetle!

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spotted seal

[Summer Origami] How to Fold a Spotted Seal with Voice Instructions ☆ Origami Spotted Seal Tutorial / Tatsukuri

Why not try making a ribbon seal with origami—its round body and beady eyes are so cute! It may look tricky, but it’s surprisingly easy.

If you start by creasing carefully, the rest of the steps will go more smoothly, so pay attention to each crease and work patiently.

There are many small steps, so when working with children, prepare large origami paper and fold together while checking each step—it’ll be smoother.

It’s also recommended to have photos or illustrations of real ribbon seals ready and show them to the kids before drawing the face and body markings.

Give it a try with everyone!

cicada

[For 5-year-olds] Seasonal Origami: “Cicada”

The cicadas that chirp loudly and energetically—“meen meen!”—are fascinating creatures for children, aren’t they? Let’s try making one with origami.

First, fold the paper into a triangle twice and open it once to make a large triangle.

Fold both side corners up to meet the top point of the triangle.

Then fold those lifted corners down diagonally outward.

Fold while imagining the cicada’s wings.

Next, fold only the top layer of the upper corner downward.

Fold the second layer down as well, slightly offset.

Finally, turn it over and fold both side corners toward the center.

The key is to fold so that the white line stays straight.

Flip it over, and your cicada is complete! Try making a big tree out of construction paper or cardboard and display everyone’s creations on it.