Wouldn’t it be fun if you could actually move and play with your origami after folding it?Origami includes many creations with simple steps yet unique movements, such as mouths that open and close or mechanisms that spin.Here, we introduce origami ideas you can play with after you fold them.We’ve gathered a wide range, from things you can enjoy with children to cleverly engineered pieces you might get totally absorbed in.Be sure to experience the thrill of that “It moved!” moment when you finish.
- Kids will love it! Easy origami ideas—great as gifts too!
- Kids will love it! A collection of easy car origami ideas to make and play withNEW!
- Let's have fun together as adults too! A collection of easy insect origami ideas you can make with kidsNEW!
- Let's make it with origami! Ideas for simple 3D creations
- Fun origami spinning tops! A collection of easy folding ideas that kids and adults alike will love
- Ideas for Easy-to-Make Origami Accessories to Enjoy with KidsNEW!
- Cute origami ideas
- Origami ideas boys will want to make!
- Made of paper! A fun collection of DIY toy ideas you can play with
- Great for playtime too! A collection of simple kimono origami ideas to enjoy with childrenNEW!
- [DIY] A Collection of Handmade Moving Toy Craft Ideas
- Get hooked together with your kids! A collection of easy, 3D flower origami ideasNEW!
- For New Year’s! A collection of fun origami ideas to make, decorate, and play with in childcare
Moving origami is fun! A simple collection of ideas that both kids and adults can enjoy (1–10)
How to fold blinking eyes
How about some blinking eyes that look a bit eerie in the dark? They’re perfect for Halloween toys, too! First, fold a piece of origami paper in half into a triangle to make a crease, then fold both ends inward toward this crease three times.
Next, fold it in half from the other direction to make another crease, and fold both ends toward the center along that crease.
Shape the whole piece into an eye by folding the straight edges diagonally.
Attach a handle, and the eye is complete! Finish it by adding a separately made drawing of an eye in the center and gluing on eyelashes around it.
It’s like it’s alive! Pachi-paku face
A mysterious origami piece that looks like it’s talking when you move the finished face.
Use one sheet of origami for the eyes and nose, and one sheet for the mouth.
First, for the eyes-and-nose sheet, make vertical accordion folds.
Next, add horizontal accordion creases as well, but without unfolding the accordions near the center; instead, create four triangles partway along to form the eyes.
Then, for the mouth sheet, make accordion creases vertically and horizontally in the same way, leaving one of the accordion folds kept folded at the center.
Create a larger bulge for the mouth, shaping the top and bottom, to complete the mouth.
Finally, combine the eye-nose part with the mouth part and you’re done.
If you firmly hold the combined section and move it, the face will move!
Moving! Origami Tongs
How about origami tongs that really pinch? This is a moving toy you can make from a single sheet of double-sided origami paper.
Fold it twice into a triangle, open it once, then fold the left and right edges along the center line.
Open it up and use the crease lines to collapse-fold.
Fold the longer edges in two places along the center line, open the hollow sections, and flatten them.
After making the folded parts into mountain folds, the tong’s mouth will open and close—your chomp-chomp origami tongs are complete.
They can actually pick up small objects, which is lots of fun.
Give it a try as a toy for your child!
How to fold a jumping cat
This is a cute origami cat that looks like it’s hopping.
Fold a 15 cm square sheet of origami paper in half horizontally, then fold both sides toward the crease.
With that shape, fold it in half vertically, fold one side toward the crease, then open and squash-fold it.
Do the same on the other side, flip it over, and continue folding along the creases.
This part will become the cat’s face.
Keep folding the body and legs, then draw the eyes, mouth, whiskers, etc.
on the face with a pen to finish.
If you like, try drawing a variety of expressions—smiling, angry, crying—to give it personality and make it more fun.
Spins like crazy! Hand spinner
The hand spinner became extremely popular with both children and adults and even went out of stock for a time.
Believe it or not, you can make one from a single sheet of origami paper! First, make vertical and horizontal crease lines to form a cross, then fold both ends toward these creases.
Rotate it and fold both ends toward the other central line, then fold each end back into a triangle.
Open along those creases, fold back only the two on the diagonal, and form a pinwheel-like shape.
Add creases to each blade-like part, shape it by creating a triangular peak in the center, and you’re done! Pinch the peaked part between your fingers and blow on it—the spinner will whirl around.
Monkey’s Mountain Climb
It’s a whimsical toy where a little monkey climbs a mountain and appears from the summit.
First, make crease lines in both vertical and diagonal X shapes, then fold along those lines to form a square.
Fold the unopened section into a small triangle and cut it off as is.
The cut piece is the monkey.
Next, slightly fold up the edges of the opening part on both sides (front and back) to finish the monkey.
Place the monkey origami between the lower piece that represents the mountain’s foothills, and by moving the foothill section with small, quick motions, the monkey will climb the mountain and reach the top!
Spins round and round! A flying toy
It’s an easy-to-make toy that you’ll want to play with over and over.
First, fold the origami paper into a triangle, then roll it up tightly into a long, thin shape starting from the center.
That’s all there is to making it! To play, simply snap open the final folded tip and let go—the piece will shoot off with great speed.
The direction you unfold it affects how well it spins, so experiment and see what works best.
Once it has opened up, you can fold it back the same way and play again and again!