40 Awesome Origami Crafts for Kids

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Take your pick from these awesome Origami crafts for kids to introduce your little one to the Japanese art of paper folding. With varying levels of difficulty, there’s something for everyone!

One of the most popular terms used in paper crafts is ‘Origami‘. The Japanese term that refers to ‘folding paper’, came to be used around the 1800s, although the exact date of origin is unknown. Apparently, the high price of paper then restricted the use of Origami to religious events alone.

Origami is deeply ingrained in Japanese culture, with Origami butterflies used in weddings, and Origami used as good luck charms for soldiers. Today, there are a staggering number of Origami artists, each more talented than the other!

Since we’re all about introducing kids to various arts and crafts from across the world, we’ve rounded up 30 fun Origami craft projects for kids, of varying difficulty. So whether you’re a beginner or looking for a challenge, there’s sure to be something for you here!

40 Awesome Origami Crafts for Kids

Take your pick from these fun Origami crafts for kids to introduce your child to the Japanese art of paper folding - you're sure to find something you like!

Animal Life

Among the most popular Origami crafts for kids are animal-themed crafts. There are so many different ones to choose from, so we’ve eased your confusion by picking the best of the best!

1. Origami Whale

origami whale 7987 3

If you’re an Origami beginner, this whale craft is an easy enough project to try. Just follow the instructions carefully for your own little pet whale – complete with water squirting out!

2. Origami Fish

Make this super cute Dr Seuss - One fish Two fish Red fish Blue Fish Origami Fish Craft for kids

Based on the Dr. Seuss book ‘One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish’, this colorful craft is easy enough for young kids to try. Fix them on a watery background when done for a complete effect!

3. Origami Bird Magnets

Origami bird 1 6

Who says Origami can’t be functional? These bird magnets prove otherwise! Make them in different colors and let them hold memos, photos or whatever catches your heart’s fancy!

4. Origami Penguin Craft

Penguins live in the Southern hemisphere, but you can bring them to your home! Here is an easy Origami Penguin Craft, with a step by step tutorial to help.

You’ll enjoy making these cute penguins, who seem quite happy sitting on their little icebergs!

5. Cute and Easy Origami Crab

Origami Crab FT 1

How cute are these Origami crabs? Perfect for when you’re looking for a summer-themed or beach-themed craft and all you have is craft paper!

6. Origami Koi Fish Craft

Origami Koi Fish FT 1

Just like Origami is an important part of Japanese culture, so is Koi fish! Koi fish ponds have become quite popular these days and now you can make your own with paper!

7. Origami Jumping Frog

07 Origami crafts

Have fun with your friends by making these funky Origami jumping frogs from It’s Always Autumn! Make them in different colors and see whose frog can jump the farthest!

8. Origami Dog

origami crafts for kids

Whether you have a real dog at home or not, this cute little Origami Dog from My Crafts is a must-make! This is particularly easy for kids or beginners to Origami.

9. Origami Cat

09 Origami crafts

Not a dog person? Never mind, you can make Origami cats too! Fat Mum Slim has a detailed tutorial to make cute and colorful little kitties – all out of paper!

10. Origami Rabbit

10 Origami crafts

Who doesn’t love bunnies? With their little tails and floppy ears, rabbits are universally adored. This is why these Origami rabbits from Tinker Lab are a must-make – without having to wait for Easter!

11. Origami Paper Mouse Craft

11 Origami crafts

How cute are these mice from Red Ted Art! We love how realistic these look, and you can make these in multiple colors to create a little mouse army. 

Fantasy 

All kids like to pretend that they’re princes or princesses, slaying dragons and rescuing the kingdom! Build on this interest with some fun Origami crafts based on fictional characters and more!

12. Origami Mermaid

12 Origami crafts

Got a Little Mermaid fan at home? Then she’ll love making this absolutely adorable little mermaid craft from Pink Stripey Socks! The entire project is a little detailed, so it’s probably better for older kids.

13. Origami Pikachu

origami crafts for kids

Pikachu is so popular across the world; I personally know many kids who’d love their own Pikachu! For them, I’d recommend this Origami Pikachu craft from Paper Kawaii – with a video tutorial!

14. Origami Goomba Mushrooms

14 Origami crafts

Mushrooms have a certain air of magic about them, and you can find them in so many places, from Mario to the Smurfs! If you’ve got Mario fans, then you MUST try out these quirky Origami mushrooms from All for the Boys!

Holidays

If you’ve never tried Origami before, the holidays are the perfect opportunity to start! Whatever the holiday is, you’re sure to find lots of ideas for paper crafts!

15. Origami Unicorn

15 Origami crafts

You can’t have a list of fantastical creatures without mentioning unicorns! Willow Day has a pretty Origami unicorn craft that works well as a bookmark and also as an embellishment for a Valentine’s Day card.

16. Origami Gift Box

Valentine Origami Gift Boxes 1

We know that a handmade gift from the heart is ideal, but a handmade gift box makes it even more special! Make these cute gift boxes for Valentine’s Day and watch your loved one’s face light up!

17. Origami Hearts

17 Origami crafts

These Origami hearts from Jennifer Maker are cute enough to look at, but what’s more, is that they also contain a secret compartment for a hidden message! Perfect for your secret Valentine!

18. Origami Easter Basket

18 Origami crafts

Here’s something a little fancy to try for Easter – Origami bunny Easter baskets from Gathering Beauty! If you’ve already tried basic Origami crafts, then this one will be a good challenge.

19. Origami Monster Bookmarks

Back to school Monster Bookmarks - Easy to fold origami adorable vampire bookmark, perfect for Halloween, back to school or just for fun

If you’d like to gift your friend something for Halloween, or simply need something to hold your page in the latest spooky novel you’re reading, do try making these fun Origami monster bookmarks!

20. Easy Origami Ghost Craft

Origami Glost Craft FT 1

The first thing that comes to mind for Halloween is a ghost, and so you’ll find these adorable Origami ghosts perfect for the occasion!

21. Easy Origami Witch Craft

Origami Witch Halloween Craft For Kids 3

This is one of our favorites in this list of Origami crafts for kids – cute little witches, with pointy hats, brooms and all!

22. Origami Bat

origami crafts for kids

Halloween is when bat crafts make their presence felt, and we particularly love these hanging Origami bats from Paper Kawaii! String them together for a perfectly themed Halloween banner!

23. Origami Christmas Tree

23 Origami crafts

This Origami project from Red Ted Art is easy peasy and is great even if you have absolutely no experience in Origami. Make a bunch with the kids and arrange them on the mantlepiece!

Plant Life

Although we often hear of Origami in terms of butterflies, fish and cranes, specimens of plant life are also popular Origami themes!

24. Origami Tulip Craft

Easy Origami Tulip craft 11a

Tulips are such pretty flowers, aren’t they? This easy Tulip craft is perfect for an Origami beginner and is great to fix on DIY cards for Mother’s Day or Teacher’s Day.

25. Origami Mushroom Craft

Origami Mushroom Pin 1

We featured the mushrooms from the Mario brothers, but if you’d rather make a plain mushroom, here’s the craft for it!

26. Origami Autumn Maple Leaf

Origami Fall leaf Pin 1

As soon as fall rolls around, you see leaves in pretty colors all around you. If you live in a country where these leaves aren’t visible, you can make them yourself with this craft!

27. Easy Origami Apple Craft

Origami Apple FT 1

These Origami apples are great for Fall as well as for Back to School! Maybe little kids can make one and gift their teachers on the first day of school!

28. Mini Origami Succulent Plants

28 Origami crafts

These succulents from Paper Kawaii are simply adorable and would make a great addition for your desk!

Transport

We’ve all grown up making boats and planes out of paper – turns out there’s a lot m0re you can make with Origami paper!

29. Origami Yacht

Easy Origami Yacht pin

Origami boats are common, but what about an Origami yacht? We have a craft that makes use of chalk markers to create some unique yachts – perfect for your next holiday!

30. Origami Boat

30 Origami crafts

This is probably the first Origami craft kids across the world make – without even knowing that it’s called Origami! Satsuma Designs converts this innocent childhood craft into a cute garland.

31. Origami Flying Paper Plane

31 Origami crafts

Who hasn’t made a paper plane when they were young? Well, here’s your chance to relive that innocent joy, with an Origami plane from The Purple Yarn, that actually flies!

32. Origami Space Shuttle

32 Origami crafts

When Origami planes get a little ‘meh’, you might want to go a step further and make these Origami space shuttles from All for the Boys. Now that’s a craft project that’s out of this world!

Fun Things to Make and Play

Sometimes you don’t need a season or a holiday to make Origami – you just want to have fun! Here are some classic Origami ideas for all ages to make and play with.

33. Origami Faces

33 Origami crafts

Okay, these Origami faces from Pink Stripey Socks are probably my favorite in this whole list! They are just genius and you can make so many different kinds!

34. Easy and Cute Origami Paper Dolls

34 Origami crafts

You’ve made animals, plants and even fantasy characters using Origami – now why not make some cute dolls? Check out these adorable Origami dolls from Pink Stripey Socks.

35. Origami Ninja Stars

35 Origami crafts

Want to try something awesome? Then be sure to make these transforming Origami Ninja stars from What do We do All Day – the perfect idea to keep older kids occupied!

36. Origami Ice Cream

36 Origami crafts

Here’s a craft that’s perfect for the summer – Origami ice cream! Poulette Magique has a lovely tutorial to make these – the page’s in French, so you might want to translate it.

37. Easy Origami Pencil Craft

37 Origami crafts

If you’re looking for fun Back to School crafts, check out these Origami pencils from Red Ted Art. Make a bunch in different colors and hand them to your school gang!

38. Origami Ring

38 Origami crafts

The Lord of the Rings stories may be a little much for the kids, but that doesn’t mean they don’t need rings for pretend play! Try out these cute Origami rings from Red Ted Art, that may just have the magical powers you need!

39. Origami Art Bracelet

39 Origami crafts

It’s not easy maintaining ALL of your kids’ artwork, so here’s a more concise way to keep them – turn them into Origami bracelets, as shown in Picklebums!

40. Origami Crown

40 Origami crafts

Become a king or queen for a day with an easy-to-make Origami crown, like this one from Paper and Glue! These would be perfect for kids to make and wear at a birthday party – activity and party favor in one go!

Take your pick from these fun Origami crafts for kids to introduce your child to the Japanese art of paper folding - you're sure to find something you like!

When introducing kids to Origami, you might want to start with paper that’s not too expensive, since there is going to be lots of tearing and tossing initially! As they get the hang of it, you can get prettier and better paper. Give the project a try yourself before attempting it with the kids, especially if it’s a complex one.

Stick to age-appropriate projects so that kids don’t get frustrated. With our list of awesome Origami crafts for kids, we’re sure you’ll find something that’s perfect for you!

Take your pick from these fun Origami crafts for kids to introduce your child to the Japanese art of paper folding - you're sure to find something you like!

Take your pick from these fun Origami crafts for kids to introduce your child to the Japanese art of paper folding - you're sure to find something you like!

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  1. My son loves to do shark cootie catcher He really likes to play with it.
    This left my son away from tablets for a while.

    Thanks for sharing a cute origami.

  2. Your ideas of experimenting with papers are super awesome, i loved your creativity.
    i also shared lots of creative ideas related to sketching, painting and crafting.
    i would appreciate if you connect with my ideas.
    Art and craft ideas