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Seasonal · Halloween
Spooky origami for Halloween
Bats, ghosts, pumpkins, skulls and witch hats — plus party games, candy boxes and printable spooky paper.
Ghost
The origami ghost is a flat Halloween ghost with a round, domed head and a wavy hem of three points, folded from one square with the white side showing. It is an easy model with five steps and takes about three minutes; you draw the eyes and mouth on at the end.
Witch Hat
The origami witch hat is a flat Halloween hat with a tall cone, a crooked tip that droops to one side and a wide brim, folded from one square without cuts or glue. It is an easy model with six steps and takes about four minutes, starting from a simple kite.
Pumpkin
The origami pumpkin is a flat, rounded jack-o'-lantern with a short stem on top and three creased ribs down the front, folded from one square without cutting. It is an easy model of seven steps that takes about five minutes, and the face is drawn on at the end.
Skull
The origami skull is a flat Halloween skull with a domed cranium and a narrower jaw that sticks out underneath, folded from one square with the white side showing. It is an easy model with eight steps and takes about five minutes; you draw the eye sockets, nose and teeth on at the end.
Seasonal · Thanksgiving
Origami for the Thanksgiving table
Napkin folds, place-card boxes, nut cups, gratitude hearts and crafts for the kids' table.
Paper Cup
The origami paper cup is a small open container folded from a single square that can briefly hold water or dry snacks. It is one of the easiest origami models and takes about two minutes, making it a classic first project.
Pyramid napkin
The pyramid is the classic standing napkin fold: a neat four-sided pyramid that sits on the plate and makes any table look set by a restaurant. It takes four folds and about two minutes, works with cloth or paper napkins, and is the easiest standing fold to learn first.
Lucky Star
An origami lucky star is a tiny, puffy five-pointed star made by knotting a long paper strip into a pentagon and wrapping it. It is easy and takes about three minutes, though the final puffing step needs a light touch.
Paper Hat
The origami paper hat is the classic triangular newspaper hat, often worn as a pirate or admiral's hat, folded from a single rectangle with no tape. It is an easy model that takes about three minutes, and a double sheet of newspaper makes one big enough for a child or an adult to wear.
Start here
Easy origami for your first folds
Paper Boat
The origami paper boat is a classic folded from a rectangular sheet, passing through a paper hat on the way to a small boat that really floats. It is an easy model that most children and adults finish in about five minutes.
Lucky Star
An origami lucky star is a tiny, puffy five-pointed star made by knotting a long paper strip into a pentagon and wrapping it. It is easy and takes about three minutes, though the final puffing step needs a light touch.
Origami Heart
The origami heart is a flat, symmetrical heart shape folded from one square, ideal for slipping into a card or envelope. It is an easy model that takes around five minutes and uses only simple valley and mountain folds.
Tulip
The origami tulip is a flat flower head made from a single square in three folds, designed to be joined to a separate folded stem. It is one of the easiest models on the site and takes about three minutes.
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What would you like to fold?
Easy origami
28 diagrams
Origami for kids
26 diagrams
Animal origami
11 diagrams
Origami flowers
2 diagrams
Boxes & containers
3 diagrams
Origami toys
7 diagrams
Symbols & gifts
8 diagrams
Hats & wearables
3 diagrams
Decorations
16 diagrams
Action models
4 diagrams
Halloween origami
10 diagrams
Napkin folding
3 diagrams
Thanksgiving origami
14 diagrams
The collection
Every diagram, easiest first
Paper Cup
The origami paper cup is a small open container folded from a single square that can briefly hold water or dry snacks. It is one of the easiest origami models and takes about two minutes, making it a classic first project.
Pyramid napkin
The pyramid is the classic standing napkin fold: a neat four-sided pyramid that sits on the plate and makes any table look set by a restaurant. It takes four folds and about two minutes, works with cloth or paper napkins, and is the easiest standing fold to learn first.
Lucky Star
An origami lucky star is a tiny, puffy five-pointed star made by knotting a long paper strip into a pentagon and wrapping it. It is easy and takes about three minutes, though the final puffing step needs a light touch.
Tulip
The origami tulip is a flat flower head made from a single square in three folds, designed to be joined to a separate folded stem. It is one of the easiest models on the site and takes about three minutes.
Tulip Stem
The origami tulip stem is a slim green stalk with an attached leaf, folded from one square to support the origami tulip bloom. It is easy, takes about three minutes, and uses a series of narrowing folds to the center line.
Dog Face
The origami dog face is a simple puppy head with floppy ears folded from one square, and children often draw on eyes and a nose to finish it. It is very easy and takes about three minutes, making it ideal for first-time folders.
Fox Face
The origami fox face is a pointed fox head with tall ears, folded from one square in five steps and finished with drawn eyes and a nose. It is an easy model that takes about three minutes.
Paper Hat
The origami paper hat is the classic triangular newspaper hat, often worn as a pirate or admiral's hat, folded from a single rectangle with no tape. It is an easy model that takes about three minutes, and a double sheet of newspaper makes one big enough for a child or an adult to wear.
Envelope
The origami envelope is a small rectangular letter envelope folded from a single square that locks shut by tucking the top flap under the bottom one, so it needs no glue or tape. It is an easy model with four folds and takes about three minutes.
Corner Bookmark
The origami corner bookmark is a small square with a triangular pocket that slides over the corner of a page to mark your place. It is an easy model folded from one square in four steps and takes about three minutes, which makes it a favourite classroom craft.
Sailboat
The origami sailboat is a flat picture of a boat, with a colored triangular sail standing on a white hull, folded from one square without cuts. It is very easy: five simple folds and about three minutes, which makes it a good first model for children.
House
The origami house is a classic flat model of a house with a sloping colored roof above white walls, folded from one square. It is easy, takes about three minutes, and is one of the best models for learning the squash fold.
Cat Face
The origami cat face is a kitten's head with two pointed ears and a blunt chin, folded from one square and finished with drawn eyes and whiskers. It is a very easy model with five folds and takes about three minutes, so it suits young children and first-time folders.
Penguin
The origami penguin is a flat penguin seen from the front, with a dark back and wings, a white belly, a white face and a small dark beak, folded from one square that is dark on one side and white on the other. It is an easy model of six steps that takes about three minutes, using only valley and mountain folds.
Ghost
The origami ghost is a flat Halloween ghost with a round, domed head and a wavy hem of three points, folded from one square with the white side showing. It is an easy model with five steps and takes about three minutes; you draw the eyes and mouth on at the end.
Silverware pocket napkin
The silverware pocket is a slim napkin fold with a diagonal band across the front that holds a knife, fork and spoon. It is folded flat in seven quick steps from a square napkin, takes about three minutes, and is the most practical fold for buffets, picnics and holiday dinners where guests carry their own place setting.
Samurai Helmet
The origami samurai helmet, or kabuto, is a traditional Japanese model with two horns and a brim, folded from one square. It is easy, takes about four minutes, and can be made large enough to wear by using a big newspaper square.
Fish
The origami fish is a simple flat fish with a blunt nose and an upturned tail, folded from a kite shape made from one square. It is easy and takes about four minutes, so it suits children and complete beginners.
Whale
The origami whale is a flat whale with a large rounded head, a straight back and a tail that rises behind it, folded from a kite shape made from one square. It is an easy model of six steps that takes about four minutes, which makes it a good choice for children and beginners.
Witch Hat
The origami witch hat is a flat Halloween hat with a tall cone, a crooked tip that droops to one side and a wide brim, folded from one square without cuts or glue. It is an easy model with six steps and takes about four minutes, starting from a simple kite.
Paper Boat
The origami paper boat is a classic folded from a rectangular sheet, passing through a paper hat on the way to a small boat that really floats. It is an easy model that most children and adults finish in about five minutes.
Origami Heart
The origami heart is a flat, symmetrical heart shape folded from one square, ideal for slipping into a card or envelope. It is an easy model that takes around five minutes and uses only simple valley and mountain folds.
Fortune Teller
The origami fortune teller is a four-pointed paper game, also known as a cootie catcher or chatterbox, that opens and closes on your fingers to reveal hidden messages. It is an easy model folded from one square with only corner-to-centre folds and takes about five minutes, plus a few more to write the fortunes.
Christmas Tree
The origami Christmas tree is a flat fir tree with three stepped tiers and a small trunk, folded from one square without cutting. It is an easy model that takes about five minutes; the only new idea is a simple pleat that creates each tier.
Swan
The origami swan is the traditional simple swan with a raised neck and a head that points forward, folded from a kite shape made from one square. It is an easy model that takes about five minutes; the only moves that need care are the two outside reverse folds at the end.
Pumpkin
The origami pumpkin is a flat, rounded jack-o'-lantern with a short stem on top and three creased ribs down the front, folded from one square without cutting. It is an easy model of seven steps that takes about five minutes, and the face is drawn on at the end.
Skull
The origami skull is a flat Halloween skull with a domed cranium and a narrower jaw that sticks out underneath, folded from one square with the white side showing. It is an easy model with eight steps and takes about five minutes; you draw the eye sockets, nose and teeth on at the end.
Bat
The origami bat is a flat Halloween bat with wide wings, hooked wing tips, a short body and two pointed ears, folded from one square without cuts or glue. It starts from the waterbomb base and takes about six minutes; every fold after the base is a simple valley or mountain fold.
Christmas tree napkin
The Christmas tree napkin is a flat, festive fold: a tall tree with four stacked tiers that lies on the plate. It is made from a square napkin folded in quarters, with each layer folded up a little short of the one before and the sides folded in to shape the tree. It takes about five minutes and looks best in green or red cloth napkins.
Butterfly
The origami butterfly is a small model with four wings and a locked body, folded from a square using the waterbomb base. It is a comfortable intermediate model that takes about six minutes and introduces collapsing a base.
Jumping Frog
The origami jumping frog is a traditional action model folded from a stiff rectangle that springs forward when you press and release its back. It is an intermediate model that takes about six minutes, mostly for the collapse and the zigzag spring.
Pinwheel
The origami pinwheel is a flat four-bladed model folded from the traditional windmill base that can be pinned to a stick so it spins in the wind. It is an intermediate model taking about six minutes, with one careful step where hidden corners are pulled out.
Masu Box
The masu box is a traditional Japanese square box folded from a single sheet that locks together without glue. It is an intermediate model that takes about eight minutes, with one three-dimensional step where the walls are raised.
Water Balloon
The origami water balloon, also called the waterbomb, is a traditional model that you fold flat and then inflate by blowing into a small hole, turning it into a hollow paper cube. It is a beginner-to-intermediate model that takes about eight minutes, mostly for the waterbomb base and the tucks.
Paper Crane
The origami crane is the traditional Japanese orizuru, a bird with spread wings folded from a single square without cuts or glue. It is an advanced model: expect about 15 minutes for your first one, mostly spent learning the petal fold and inside reverse fold.
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Learn to fold
The folds behind every model
Valley, mountain, squash, petal, reverse folds and the classic bases — explained simply, with the models that use them.
Open the fold guideOrigami questions, answered
What is the best paper for origami beginners?+
Standard origami paper, often called kami, is the easiest to start with: it is thin, holds a sharp crease and is usually colored on one side and white on the other, which makes diagrams easier to follow. Plain printer paper cut into a square is a fine free alternative for simple models such as the Paper Cup or Dog Face. Avoid very soft paper like tissue and very thick card until you have some experience.
What size square should I use for origami?+
A 15 cm (6 in) square is the most common size and suits almost every model on this site. Beginners and children often find 20–25 cm (8–10 in) squares easier, because the folds are bigger and small errors matter less. Smaller squares of 7.5 cm (3 in) are best saved for models you already know well.
How do I make a square from A4 or Letter paper?+
Fold one short edge down diagonally until it lies along a long edge, forming a triangle with a strip of paper left below it. Crease the bottom edge of the triangle firmly, then cut along it or fold the strip back and forth a few times and tear it off. Unfold the triangle and you have a square with a diagonal crease already in it; the leftover strip can become a Lucky Star.
What are the easiest origami models to fold first?+
The Paper Cup, Tulip, Dog Face and Fox Face each take only a few minutes and use nothing more than valley and mountain folds. After those, the Paper Boat, Heart, Fish and Samurai Helmet add a few more steps without new techniques. When you feel confident, move on to the Masu Box and Butterfly, and save the Paper Crane for when simple models feel easy.
How do I read origami diagrams?+
A dashed line marks a valley fold, where the paper folds toward you, and a line of alternating dashes and dots marks a mountain fold, where it folds away. Arrows show which part moves and where it lands, a looping arrow means turn the paper over, and an arrow that goes out and comes back means fold and unfold to make a crease. Our animations show each move in motion, so you can compare your paper with the screen after every step.
Is origami good for kids?+
Yes. Folding paper builds fine motor control, hand-eye coordination and patience, and following a sequence of steps practices concentration and listening. It also introduces geometry ideas such as symmetry, angles and fractions in a hands-on way. Models like the Jumping Frog, Paper Boat and Pinwheel end in a toy, which keeps children motivated to finish.