What age is this origami Moon-viewing Dumplings for?

About Age 5+. It is rated “Easy” (level 2 of 5), with 4 steps, and takes about 6 minutes.

What paper do I need?

One sheet of square origami paper (15 cm / 6 in). No scissors or glue are needed.

What is it called in Japanese?

In Japanese it is “つきみだんご” (月見団子). 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.

★★Easy FoodOriginal

How to make an origami Moon-viewing DumplingsつきみだんごMoon-viewing Dumplings

A pile of white dumplings offered at moon viewing. The white side is the dumplings, and the colored part is the wooden stand.

4 steps
about 6 min
1 sheet of origami paper
Age 5+

How to fold

色の面を上にして、上のふちを、まん中より下まで折る
Start with the colored side up. Fold the top edge down past the center.
下に色が少しのこるように。ここが台になります。
上のまん中から、左右をななめにうしろへ折る（山づみ）
Fold the left and right sides behind at a slant from the top middle to make a pile.
台のところで段折りをする
Make a pleat in the stand.
上をうしろへ折って、少しもどします。台の板ができます。
下の左右のかどを、ななめにうしろへ折る（台のあし）
Fold the bottom corners behind at a slant to make the legs of the stand.
できあがり！おだんごのまるをかいたら、つきみだんごのできあがり！すすきといっしょにかざろう。
Finished! Draw the round dumplings, and you are finished! Display them with some pampas grass.

Fun fact

十五夜（中秋の名月）には、まるい月に見立てたおだんごと、すすきをかざって、お月さまに実りのお礼をします。

On the night of the harvest moon (jugoya), people offer round dumplings like the moon and pampas grass to give thanks for the harvest.

Origami English in this model

pleat段折り
corner角
edge辺（ふち）
colored side色の面（表）
dumplingだんご
full moonまんげつ
stand台
harvestしゅうかく・実り

❓ FAQ

What age is this origami Moon-viewing Dumplings for?: About Age 5+. It is rated “Easy” (level 2 of 5), with 4 steps, and takes about 6 minutes.
What paper do I need?: One sheet of square origami paper (15 cm / 6 in). No scissors or glue are needed.
What is it called in Japanese?: In Japanese it is “つきみだんご” (月見団子). 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.