What age is this origami Menko for?

About Age 7+. It is rated “Medium” (level 3 of 5), with 8 steps, and takes about 10 minutes.

What paper do I need?

2 sheets of origami paper in different colors No scissors or glue are needed.

What is it called in Japanese?

In Japanese it is “めんこ”. The word origami (折り紙) itself means “folding paper”: ori = fold, kami = paper.

Can I print the instructions?

Yes. “Print the diagram” puts every step on one page (or a PDF), and the practice sheet has the crease lines printed on the paper. Free for home and classroom use.

★★★Medium Toys & GamesTraditional

How to make an origami MenkoめんこMenko

A square game card made from two strips woven together. Triangles of two colors make a pinwheel pattern on the front.

8 steps
about 10 min
2 sheets of origami paper in different colors
Age 7+

How to fold

2まいとも、3分の1のところで折る
Fold one third of each sheet over.
紙を3つに分けるように、はしを3分の1のところまで折ります。
反対のはしも折って、三つ折りの帯にする
Fold the other side over too. Now each sheet is a long strip folded in thirds.
帯の両はしの角を、反対向きに三角に折る
Fold the corners at both ends of each strip into triangles, in opposite directions.
形が平行四辺形になります。2まいとも同じ形にします。
青の帯の上に、赤の帯を十字に重ねる
Put the red strip across the blue strip to make a cross.
左の腕を、まん中へ折る
Fold the left arm over the center.
上の腕を、下へ折る
Fold the top arm down.
右の腕を、左へ折る
Fold the right arm to the left.
下の腕を上へ折って、さいしょに折った左の腕の下へ差しこむ
Fold the bottom arm up and tuck it under the left arm you folded first.
左の腕を少し持ち上げて、そのすきまに先を入れます。
できあがり！めんこのできあがり！最後の腕をしっかり差しこむと、ばらばらになりません。
Finished! Your menko is finished! Tuck the last arm in firmly so it stays together.

How to play

床に置いた相手のめんこのそばに、自分のめんこを強くたたきつけます。風やぶつかった力で相手のめんこがひっくり返ったら、そのめんこがもらえます。

Put a menko on the floor. Throw your own menko down hard next to it. If the other card flips over, you win it!

Fun fact

めんこは江戸時代からある子どもの遊びで、むかしは土や鉛（なまり）、のちに厚紙で作られました。紙を折って作るめんこは「おりめんこ」ともよばれます。

Menko is a children’s game from the Edo period. The cards were once made of clay or lead, and later of thick paper.

Origami English in this model

tuck差しこむ（はさみこむ）
corner角
triangle三角形
strip帯（おび）・細長い紙
third3分の1
flipひっくり返る

❓ FAQ

What age is this origami Menko for?: About Age 7+. It is rated “Medium” (level 3 of 5), with 8 steps, and takes about 10 minutes.
What paper do I need?: 2 sheets of origami paper in different colors No scissors or glue are needed.
What is it called in Japanese?: In Japanese it is “めんこ”. The word origami (折り紙) itself means “folding paper”: ori = fold, kami = paper.
Can I print the instructions?: Yes. “Print the diagram” puts every step on one page (or a PDF), and the practice sheet has the crease lines printed on the paper. Free for home and classroom use.