Very Simple Origami for Kids
Time for some wonderful and simple origami for kids projects! We have MANY origami instructions on this website, but I wanted to bring together our very simple origami DIYs – perfect for beginners of all ages and a fantastic introduction to folding origami.
These projects all require only some simple folds.. and the origami projects at the beginning of this list can be made in very few steps and folds. Super easy origami to delight you and your kids!
This cute origami can be used as decorations, as part of greeting cards, for collages and origami garlands and banners, as well as for some simple mindfulness. So many great reasons for giving this fun origami a go.
All you need is some regular printer paper, not even special origami paper, though using origami paper is always special and extra fun.. so, let’s take a look at this wonderful traditional craft from Japan.
For those asking.. Origami is a Japanese Word, that combines “Ori” which means “folding” and “kami” which means “paper”. So Origami means “folding paper”!
Key benefits of this great activity
- Mindful activity
- Encourages math (symmetry, angles, shapes)
- Seasonal
- Cultural craft
A simple craft technique that really only requires square paper in different colors!
Easy Origami Tutorials
The order in which these origami projects for beginners are listed, is the same order, I would teach my kids how to have a go at origami! Though of course the order is not set in stone.. and you can easily begin making these origami crafts further down the list. But the list loosely increases in complexity as you go! By complexity, I mean a combination of “difficulty of the fold” and “number of folds” to remember. Apart from the paper boat, all these origami projects require a square paper – the classic Japanese Origami paper shape!
Our step by step origami tutorials include:
Work your way through these projects to develop your origami folding skills and master orgami in a gradual way!
- Simple Origami Tulip (the best origami flower to start off with)
- Simple origami bunny rabbit
- Simple origami tiger or cat
- Simple origami dog
- Basic origami bookmark corner
- Fun Origami cootie catchers/ origami fortune teller toy
- How to make an origami boat
- Next level – Fun Origami frog
- Next level – Cute Origami scottie dog
- Next level – Simple Origami Fish
- Next level – Cute Origami butterfly bookmark
- Next level – Fun Origami butterfly
- Origami Cranes
So! Let’s explore our super simple origami projects for kids of all ages as voted for by Red Ted Art readers!
Origami Tulip – Spring Decorations
All origami needs to start with this classic origami tulip. Simple steps, and oh so sweet! A great way to introduce paper folding and symmtery. The stem is a little harder to make – but not THAT hard… However, you could easily just make the tulip head and pop it on a paper straw or stick the paper tulip head onto a greeting card and decorate the rest with pens and paper cut outs. Paper tulips always make lovely gifts! You can probably give this one a go with even with 3 year olds or 4 year olds. Start kids young on origami and watch them surprise you!
Origami Bunnies/ Bunny Rabbits
We have a set of three easy origami animal face crafts that younger children especially will love. And of course it includes this super cute and easy Origami Bunny Face! Super simple basic folds to learn quickly and easily! These make a great origami rabbit for “Year of the Rabbit” too! Just make sure you stick to the “lucky colors” (i.e. NOT a white rabbit!) and you are all sorted.
Origami Tiger or Origami Cat
Grab some orange paper and make yourself a super duper cute Origami Tiger Face! Nice and easy. Of course, this “pattern” is the same as for an origami cat. Just switch out the colours. If you want to make a cat with a body, try this adorable “black cat origami“!!
Easy Origami Dog
This origami dog is super popular among my readers. I think it is because it takes a simple sheet of printer paper, turns into a “puppy” and the kids get to be super creative decorating the dog faces afterwards. I kind of “origami & doodle” session in one! And aren’t they cute?! Again, these would be super lovely on a greeting card or collage.. in fact a little puppy garland would be fun too!
Origami bookmark corner
Origami Corner Bookmarks.. It would be so “wrong” of me not to include this oh so lovely and basic origami bookmark corner. Yes, it is sooooo soooo easy to make, but there are 100s of ways you can then get really creative and decorate them. As with so many of our crafts, we have versions for all seasons. So learn how to make an origami corner bookmark.. and then head over to see all our creative corner bookmark designs!! From easy bunny bookmarks, to pokemon, Christmas and more!
Origami Cootie Catchers or Fortune Tellers
Once you have mastered how to make basic origami cootie catchers, you can decorate them in so many different ways.. from shark cootie catchers, to pig cootie catchers, to fun flower cootie catchers on Mother’s Day. In essence.. one craft, with so many designs and opportunities. There are lots of lovely printable template ideas available too! So much fun!
Easy Origami Boat DIY
For some reason, I don’t often see these easy Origami Boats on any of the “basic” origami projects lists.. and yet, for me these paper boats (and the fortune tellers) scream “CHILDHOOD”. Ok.. maybe MY childhood, but I used to make both of these ALL the time, out any type of paper, in any size. I have always made them and don’t even remember being taught how to make them… I think EVERY child should learn how to make a paper boat! Ha. And the paper boat, also has it’s beginnings in a paper hat! So it is win win. You HAVE to learn this one! (and it is so cool, when you “unfold it” at the final step)!
Easy Origami Frog – that jumps!
How to make an origami frog! I especially love this origami project, as it is also a fun paper toy to play with! Make your origami frogs, decorate them and then see how many you can make jump into the cauldron or pond! After the fish (see below), this was my daughter’s second most popular origami craft. And she made 10s of these little frogs in lots of different colors! So fun.
Origami Dog / Origami Scottie
In contrast to the paper boat above – which I rarely see on “lists”, I do often see these little Origami Dogs/ Origami Scottie dogs.. now I htink they are super cute and pretty easy to master, but I am never quite sure why these stand out in particularly. Ha. So here they are.. else this beginners list of simple origami for kids wouldn’t be complete!
Easy Origami Fish
This Simple Origami Fish was probably one of the first origami projects my daughter made the most of. She had a whole shoal of fish swimming across her bedroom wall. Clearly a winner. I love how you can have lots of fun with different colors, orange, blue, yellows etc.. or white not use plain printer paper and then get creative with pens and markers and crayons! The next you will need is an origami mermaid from Pink Stripey Socks 😉
First Origami Butterfly – also a Butterfly Bookmark
This origami butterfly, isn’t everyone’s “go to” paper butterfly (the one coming up next, is!). And I don’t know whi, as I think it is SOOOOO lovely! And it also on the easier side… AND it doubles up as a corner bookmark, I mean, what more do you want?! Having said that, this one is loveliest with “double sided” paper – so at the least one side should be white and the other in color, e.g. a lovely orange, yellow or purple…
Origami Butterfly that is 3d
Of course you need an origami butterfly. In contrast to the bookmark butterfly, this one has a 3d element to it, so it feels like the butterfly is actually fluttering away. So sweet! Again.. have lots of fun with different colors or pretty patterned origami paper.
Origami Cranes
The origami crane (our youtube video is a little old, I may try and refilm it soon) is of course one the most iconic origami projects out there. It isn’t too difficult to learn, but there are quite a few folds to remember and do. Definitely one for older kids. So I always think, you should have a go at an origami crane, only once you feel a bit more confident and have mastered a number of other simple origami projects first! I confess, it is NOT one I have taught my kids yet, however they are old enough and more than capable. Maybe we will have a go this weekend!
There are of course lots of wonderful seasonal origami projects, and I have created lists for you, to explore, if you wish – they include all our easy origami ideas for the seasons:
- Easter Origami Projects
- Halloween Origami Projects (including the fabulous Origami Frog jumping into a cauldron and of course the wonderfully easy Origami Bat)
- Christmas Origami (including an origami Christmas tree and adorable origami penguin that doubles up as a greeting card! And of course Origami Stars)
- COMING SOON: Origami Cards (including, bunny pop up cards, origami whales for valentine’s and pop-up origami dresses)
Origami really is lots of fun and I encourage you to have a go! All you need is a square piece of paper and the craft ideas are plentiful! I hope you give these wonderful Paper Craft a go, it make for such a wonderful hobby with plenty DIY ideas.
