Paper Crafts Origami Origami for Kids

7 Easy Origami Projects for Kids

10 origami projects for kids
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Origami is fun and rewarding for both adults and children. These great origami projects for kids are a perfect rainy day or anytime activity.

Depending on how old your kids are, they may need your help to complete some of these origami projects. Here are some tips to make each project successful:

  • Make the origami model yourself beforehand, especially if you are planning a kids' party or have a lot of kids to teach.
  • Some origami tutorials are photo tutorials, and some are diagrams. Print out the diagrams to have the instructions on-hand while you complete the project.
  • Be patient. Make sure to wait until your child has finished the step he or she is on before moving on to the next.
  • It's best to sit next to children while teaching origami because if you are opposite, the origami is upside-down to them. (Unless you are very talented and can fold origami upside-down.)
  • Remind your kids that the neater their folds are at the start, the better the project will turn out.
  • Have fun!
  • 01 of 07

    Modular Origami Cube

    easy origami modular cube instructions 01
    Chrissy Pk

    These little modular origami cubes are made using six sheets of square paper, made into inter-locking units. The simplest thing to make from these "sonobe" units is this little origami cube. Younger children may need some help the first time they make one of these. You can also turn these origami cubes into hanging decorations with a bit of ribbon or string.

  • 02 of 07

    Origami Finger Puppets

    Origami Finger Puppet Tutorial
    Chrissy Pk

    Did you know you can make a set of finger puppets using origami?
    You can make origami finger puppet cats, dogs, bears, pandas, and foxes by folding the ears differently and drawing on a different face. Use different colors and patterns for more variety, and for even more decorative puppets, you can embellish them with stickers, glitter, sequins, and other crafty decorations.

  • 03 of 07

    Traditional Floating Origami Boat

    origami traditional boat
    Chrissy Pk

    These traditional origami boats will float nicely in water—you can float them in a pond, river, or even the sink and bathtub. Have each child make one from a different colored sheet of paper to have a boat-floating race. Or a great learning activity is to see how much weight the boats can carry across your sink or bath. After building this boat try making an origami crane.

  • 04 of 07

    Origami Fortune Teller

    origami cootie catcher instructions 00
    Chrissy Pk

    You may remember making these origami fortune tellers (sometimes called "cootie catchers") with your school friends. There are many ways to play the fortune game, and you add your answers inside. As a bonus, if you turn these origami fortune tellers upside down, they make great little dishes for snacks, or to hold small objects, such as paper clips.

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  • 05 of 07

    Easy Origami Puppy Face

    easy origami puppy dog instructions
    Chrissy Pk

    One of the simplest origami projects for kids is this adorable origami puppy face, which takes only a couple of minutes to make. You can also turn it into a cat, bear, panda, or fox by folding the ears differently and adding the appropriate face. You can attach them to sticks, or make them into greetings cards with a message on the back.

  • 06 of 07

    Easy Origami House

    easy origami house instructions
    Chrissy Pk

    Here's a simple origami house that evens stands up on its own. Your kids can decorate the house with doors, windows, and chimneys. If made with large paper, these can be quite detailed. You can create a display using these origami houses. Stick them onto a larger sheet of paper and kids can draw the sky, trees, garden, roads, and cars too. This origami project is great for kids ages five and up (with some help).

  • 07 of 07

    Easy Origami Butterfly

    Origami Butterfly Tutorial
    Chrissy Pk

    Teach your kids how to make a cute little origami butterfly that sits up on its own. You can use different-sized paper and create a swarm of little butterflies. This origami butterfly is great for younger kids who may not have folded any origami before.

While origami only requires paper, some of these projects could include other craft supplies, such as pens, paint, or stickers, so your kids can express their creativity—and this makes each project more unique.

Fun Fact

Not only is origami an entertaining challenge, it's great for teaching children some basic math skills, such as folding halves and quarters.