10 Ways To Get Kids Interested in Origami
Origami is a traditional Japanese art form involving paper folding.
Origami is perfect for people of all ages because there are lots of different projects you can make and every project has different levels of difficulty.
Whether you’re an adult or a child, origami will be something fun to try out with your family and friends.
Origami has been around for centuries, and the art of paper folding has evolved over time. The first origami designs were created in China, and the first known origami book was published in Japan in 1797. Since then, origami has become a popular art form all over the world.
Today, there are many different types of origami, from simple to complex.
Some of the most popular origami designs include the crane, the frog, and the boat.
Do you need special papers to get started?
There are many different types of paper that can be used for origami.
Some papers are better than others. Here are some of the best papers for origami:
- Origami paper. This is the best type of paper to use for origami because it’s specifically designed for the art form. It’s thin and easy to fold, and it comes in a variety of colours.
- Construction paper. This is a good option if you’re looking for a cheaper paper to use. It’s not as thin as origami paper, but it’s still easy to fold.
- Printer paper. This is a good option if you want to use recycled paper for your origami projects. It’s not as thin as origami paper, but it’s easy to fold and comes in a variety of colours.
- Tissue paper. This is a good option if you want to make delicate origami designs. Tissue paper is thin and easy to fold, and it comes in a variety of colours.
How do I get my kids involved in origami?
Here are 10 suggestions for getting your kids interested in origami:
- Start with an easy project that doesn’t require too many steps. This will help build your child’s confidence and get them excited about origami.
- Find origami instructions online or in a book. There are lots of great resources out there that can help you get started. We’ve included one below!
- Have patience! It’s important to be patient when teaching origami to children. They might not get it the first time, but with some practice, they’ll be able to make some amazing origami creations.
- Encourage your child to be creative. There’s no right or wrong way to make origami. Let them experiment and see what they can come up with.
- Take your time. Don’t rush the process. This is supposed to be fun!
- Make it a family activity. Origami is something that the whole family can enjoy together.
- Connect with other origami enthusiasts. There are lots of great origami groups out there that can provide support and advice.
- Check out origami conventions and festivals. These are great events to meet other origami lovers and see some amazing origami creations.
- Join an online origami community. There are lots of great online origami communities where you can share your origami projects, get feedback, and learn new techniques.
- Stay inspired! There are so many amazing origami creations out there. Be sure to check out some of them and get inspired to create your own unique origami designs.
An activity to do at home
The team at Primary + STEM have identified the STEM activity Paper Kawaii to help children learn about origami.
Kawaii is a Japanese word that means “cute.” Kawaii is often used to describe things that are cute and adorable, such as children, animals, and objects. Kawaii is also used to describe the Japanese culture of cuteness, which is characterized by its emphasis on youth, innocence, and sweetness.
On the Paper Kawaii website, you’ll find loads of super cute paper folding activities to do at home. Most of them are free!
The activity forms part of the Primary + STEM team’s curated selection of Teaching Resources which have been mapped to the Victorian education curriculum.
Information for teachers
The Primary + STEM team recommend the website Paper Kawaii which is dedicated to origami and features an extensive range of ideas and instructions, from easy to intermediate to advanced.
Students can explore a range of tools and techniques as they create a variety of structures.
Designs can be shared and communicated with the class.
This activity has been mapped to the Victorian curriculum:
- Learning area: F-10: Design and Technologies
- Curriculum code: Design & Technologies > Levels F to 2 > Materials and technologies specialisations > VCDSTC017
- Grade level: Foundation to 6
Image credit
Photo by Miguel Á. Padriñán from Pexels