Origami needs nothing but paper, which makes it an easy activity to set up at home or in a classroom. This page collects the models on Origami Squad that work well for children, from simple animal faces to paper airplanes and jumping frogs.
Each tutorial has a photo for every step and a short video, so children who cannot read yet can follow along by watching. We also show the fold time our testers measured, which helps you choose a model that fits a short attention span or a longer afternoon.
A few tips make it go smoothly. Start with larger paper, 15 x 15 cm (6 x 6 inches) or bigger, because small hands find tiny folds hard. Fold along with your child rather than for them, and show each step before they try it. Paper that is colored on one side makes it easier to see which side is up. Younger children may need an adult to make the sharp creases or line up the corners, while older kids can move on to the Intermediate models linked from each tutorial.
Kid-friendly models appear here as soon as they are published.
Questions people ask
What age can kids start origami?
Young children can usually manage simple folds, like folding a square in half, with an adult helping. Once a child can line up two corners and press a firm crease, they can start following easy step-by-step models on their own.
What is the best paper for kids’ origami?
Origami paper about 15 cm (6 inches) square or larger, colored on one side. It is thin enough to fold easily, and the color shows which side faces up.
Do kids need scissors for origami?
No. The models on this page are folded from one square sheet with no cutting. Some printable templates ask you to cut out a square first, and an adult can do that step.