[For Seniors] Introducing May-themed Origami!

butterfly

[3-Minute Origami] Cute! How to Fold a Butterfly — Recommended for Kids

In May, when warm days continue, you’ll often see new buds opening and flowers blooming.

You may also spot butterflies flitting around flower beds in fields and parks.

Let’s make spring-heralding butterflies with origami.

We’ll create a butterfly by combining two sheets folded in an accordion (fan) style.

By adjusting the folding method, you can make the reverse side look like a pattern on the butterfly.

The steps are simple, so many older adults should find it approachable.

And as they work, they can also enjoy the feeling of spring.

Once finished, try hanging them up or decorating a wall with them.

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Nakajima Junko

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kashiwa mochi (oak leaf-wrapped rice cake)

[Craft Idea] Kashiwa-mochi — Rice cakes wrapped in oak leaves (Children’s Day / May) (Senior activities) (Early childhood education) (Wall decoration) (Crafts) (Creative) (Origami)

Let me introduce how to make kashiwa-mochi with origami.

All you need is white and green origami paper, so prep is super easy.

First, crumple up the green paper into a ball and open it.

Apply glue and fold it in half.

Cut it into the shape of an oak leaf, then fold diagonally to create the veins.

Next, crumple the white paper.

Shape it so it’s a size that can be wrapped by the oak leaf.

Once the size and position are set, put double-sided tape on the oak leaf and attach it.

In no time, your kashiwa-mochi is done.

It’s cute as is, but making a tray with double-sided origami paper will make it look even nicer.

Give it a try!

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kojifumi

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Kintaro

[Children’s Day Origami] Easy! Cute Kintaro Folding Instructions / Origami Koinobori

On Children’s Day in May, many households display Kintaro dolls.

They are put up with the wish that children will grow up kind and lively like Kintaro.

So for a May origami craft, let’s try folding Kintaro.

If you fold the face, hair, and body with separate sheets of origami paper, you can create a piece that looks just like the real Kintaro.

The folds aren’t very complicated and are simple enough that older adults may also find this project easy to do.

Adding an origami carp streamer to the finished piece or mounting it on a backing board for display will make it look wonderful.

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Nakajima Junko

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Koi carp streamers leaping

[Children’s Day Origami] How to fold a cute koi-nobori (carp streamer) 2 with voice commentary ☆ Origami Japanese carp streamer tutorial — decoration for the May seasonal festival

When you think of koinobori, many of you probably picture them swimming energetically across the sky.

This time, we’ll introduce an origami koinobori craft with a lively, dynamic look.

You’ll make the body and head using two sheets of origami paper.

The finished piece looks as if it’s leaping, just like a real koinobori.

Using patterned paper enhances the koinobori’s feel even more.

For older adults, making koinobori may bring back memories of Children’s Day and the Boys’ Festival.

Once finished, you can attach a stick to make a tabletop koinobori, or paste it onto a wreath for display—there are many ways to enjoy your creation.

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Nakajima Junko

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clover

(Origami / copy paper) Easy! How to make a clover [DIY]

Here’s how to make an easy and cute clover.

A craft punch that cuts paper into heart shapes makes it go faster, but you can use scissors too.

Prepare two sheets of green paper—one dark and one light—and cut out heart shapes.

Layer the leaves with a piece of wire sandwiched between them, and glue them together.

Make several of these.

Bend the leaves, bundle them, and wrap them with green floral tape to form three-leaf or four-leaf clovers.

Pour pebbles or beads into a small container and insert the clovers to enjoy them like houseplants.

Since it’s safe to make, it’s also recommended as a recreation activity in senior facilities.

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kojifumi

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Hanging ornaments

Origami Craft for Children's Day: How to Make a Hanging Koinobori Decoration — May Ornament

Here’s a hanging carp streamer decoration that moves in the wind.

Cut washi-patterned origami paper into thin strips and glue them vertically in a long shape.

Fold the top edge and wrap a short piece of straw with it.

Thread a string through the straw to create the base for the hanging decoration.

Attach origami carp streamers to the base.

Next, stick masking tape to the tip of a pair of disposable chopsticks and use the chopsticks as an axis to connect two straws.

Then cut a piece of cardboard to match the size of the bottom of your container.

Make slits in the center and around the edge, insert a straw into the center slit, place it in the container, and add a weight—this will support the decoration.

Hook the hanging decoration onto the grooves of the straw, insert a pinwheel into the drinking end, and your hanging decoration is complete.

It’s delightful to watch it move in the wind.

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kojifumi

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helmet

[Children's Day Origami] Cool Kabuto (Samurai Helmet) Folding with Audio Instructions ☆ Origami Japanese Helmet Tutorial - Decoration for the May Festival

Speaking of kabuto (samurai helmets), there’s a classic folding method that even children can make, but in this idea, you create the kabuto body and a stag beetle separately with different sheets of origami, then glue them together at the end.

You can make an authentic kabuto with fukikaeshi (the turned-up side flaps) like those worn by traditional Boys’ Day dolls, with a quality so high you wouldn’t think it’s origami at first glance.

Although there are a few more steps, I encourage you to give it a try using larger origami paper.

Since this idea includes a step where you make cuts, please have a pair of scissors ready.

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sasashina

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