8 Easy Origami for Kids Books

Are your kids interested in learning how to do the paper craft of origami? Find easy origami for kids books with step-by-step directions and illustrations. These origami books for beginners offer fun and beautiful paper folding models as well as simple origami projects. The directions are easy to follow and perfect for children of all ages seven and up, beginner and intermediate levels.

Origami is a paper folding craft using square paper. Not only is this craft a wonderful cultural tradition to learn, but it will also help kids learn to follow written and illustrated directions and develop fine motor skills.

Your kids might love to know about the Japanese word “origami” which comes from ori meaning “folding” and kami meaning “paper”. Read more about the origin of the word here.

Easy Origami for Kids Books (Step by Step)

But First, Origami Paper…

Origami Paper
Do your kids prefer solid colored origami paper like these? In this pack of papers, you’ll get 200 thin papers in vivid colors that will work for any of the origami craft books below.

Origami Paper
If your kids prefer the beautifully patterned traditional Japanese paper patterns, try this pack of 500 sheets.

Origami for Kids: The Best Step by Steps Books

I Can Do That Origami by Gakken (ages 3 – 5)
Perfect for toddlers and preschool beginners, this super simple origami book gives children the chance to cut with scissors and fold on the line. The activities are playful, making the activities fun and not tedious fine motor practice.

Easy Origami by John Montroll
Follow the easy origami for kids directions! The book includes adorable origami easy origami projects for kids to make a hat, cup, pinwheel, origami rabbit, piano, and more.

Origami Made Simple: 40 Easy Models with Step-by-Step Instructions by Russel Wood
Learn how to make the correct folds and then make kids’ projects like fortune tellers (cootie catchers), flowers like an origami tulip, animals like a frog and a bunny, and more with these easy instructions with illustrated steps.

That’s Math in My Origami! 35 Fun Projects for Learning Hands-On Math Learning by Fumiaki Shingu
Rating by difficulty for ages 7+, this origami craft book gives readers step-by-step instructions and drawings for making animals, toys, and vehicles while adding in a math component — with angles, fractions, and shapes. Use the star rating system to see the difficulty level of each project from beginner, easy, intermediate, challenging, and expert.

Incredible Origami: 95 Amazing Paper Folding Projects by Arcturus Publishing
We love that there are so many easy origami for kids projects with clearly illustrated and written directions! From animals to gift boxes, you’ll find great things to create with a piece of paper.

Colorful Kids Origami Kit
Use beautifully colored, pattern-filled folding origami paper to create amazing and eye-catching paper craft designs. Follow the origami tutorials and make projects like a rocketship, creatures, or flowers!

Origami Chic: A Guide to Foldable Fashion by Sok Song
Learn to make art beyond animals and flowers! In this origami book, you’ll create tops, bottoms, dresses, shoes, handbags, and more. My 11-year-old can’t get enough of these designs, and even though she was a total beginner when she started this book, she got the hang of it right away. The 30 projects are written with clear directions and helpful line drawings to illustrate each step.

Classic Origami for Beginners by Michael G. LaFosse
Colorful directions to make 45 projects will show kids how to fold a kite, duck, doll, pagoda, bookmark, and more. I love that this book includes 98 sheets of paper, too!