We have all had months of months figuring out ways to keep the kids occupied while you are working from home. And we’ve gotten to letting them play on screens far more often than we’d like to admit.
But keeping children’s senses engaged, encouraging them to use their hands, and supporting their creativity is just as important as keeping them entertained. Luckily, origami for kids is a great way to keep the little ones entertained at home while creating adorable DIY decor.
Origami is the art of folding paper to make ornate statues and sculptures. It is most often associated with Japanese culture, but it is an art form that anyone from anywhere in the world can join. All you need is paper!
You will see in the following tutorials that colored paper may be best on some models, but this multisensory game is all about working with what you have, so feel free to use whatever paper you have at home.
33 best origami tutorials for kids
All of these tutorials have easy-to-follow steps for kids and beginners alike, and all you need to do is hit play.
1. Origami Whale
The world’s largest mammal looks adorable and mini in paper form.
2. Origami Rabbit
Jump right into this quick origami bunny tutorial. You can even add cotton to make a little fluffy tail.
3. Origami cat box
These cat boxes make purrPerfect holders for pocket money, candy, hair ties or other miniature origami friends.
4. Origami bat
Get spooky with these DIY bat decorations, which are exactly the trick you need.
5. Origami Ghost
Another one booPretty decoration for the spooky season, these ghosts can be strung on a Halloween garland.
6. Origami turtle
Slowly but surely, we are succeeding. Your little ones can take their time with this simple tutorial.
7. Origami heart
Spread the love by putting your heart into this paper project.
8. Origami butterfly
This 3 minute project will turn paper into a butterfly in no time, which means you can create a whole family of butterflies in under 10 minutes.
9. Origami hummingbird
If the butterfly wasn’t enough to make you flutter, this one should be. These elegant origami birds make beautiful decorations.
10. Origami Shuriken
This ninja star toy is not only a fun origami project, it can also be used for frisbee throws.
11. Origami crown
This tutorial rules! Do this and follow up with a good fort building session to create a kingdom in your living room.
12. Origami sword
To defend your kingdom you will need this paper sword. Fight enemies far from your fortress and keep your crown.
13. Origami dog
Are you kids who drive you crazy with a puppy’s demands? That might be enough … for 5 minutes.
14. Origami jumping frog
This one might need a bit more attention, but little fingers can have the edge here for all those little creases.
15. Origami Dinosaur
Bring the prehistoric T-rex back to life in under 10 minutes.
16. Origami ice cream cones
How adorable are these paper ice cream cones? They make a great prop for kids who like to pretend. They can house their own ice cream truck without having to worry about a melted mess.
17. Origami sunglasses
It must be summer if you are making ice cream cones so you will need them to protect your vision and look super cool.
18. origami chick
This adorable little guy can make a great Easter decoration.
19. Origami Fish
Keep swimming. This fish is the whale’s perfect friend. Do not put them in the water!
20. Origami candies
No sugar rush here! These pretty candies can be used as a wall decoration or glued on gift boxes.
21. Origami Snake
You will need glue or tape for this rippling friend, which goes against the traditional rules of origami. But hey, art is open to interpretation, right?
22. origami stars
You are a star! Use them on your children’s star chart after they’ve finished their housework, homework, or been well behaved. It will be all the more rewarding if they are the ones who make the stars.
23. origami dress
Dress to impress with patterned paper and this tutorial.
24. Origami Crab
Follow this step by step tutorial to create another sea creature.
25. origami fox
These shy creatures can be hard to find in real life, but with a print version they’re never too far away.
26. Origami roses
Wake up and smell the (paper) roses by making this flower arrangement.
27. Origami Diamonds
Roses? Diamonds? Is there a paper proposal coming up?
28. Origami envelope
Postal mail is the best way to contact long distance family members these days, so this DIY paper envelope is perfect for greeting cards and greetings.
29. Origami Watches
Time is running out, so get to work on these adorable paper watches.
30. Origami fortune teller
Do kids these days even know what it is? It’s time to relive your glory days with this fun schoolyard game.
31. Origami penguin
Ruffle some feathers with these adorable little guys.
32. Origami box
These containers are great storage for your children’s bedrooms.
33. Paper plane
it would be wrong not to include this classic. We make them in classrooms before we even know what the word origami meant.
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Alice Kelly is a writer and storyteller with a passion for lifestyle, entertainment and current affairs. When not creating content for Your Tango, you can see her working on creative fiction and vintage shopping.
