7 animated diagrams
Origami toys
Models that jump, spin or float once they are folded.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 toys that do something
Every model here is meant to be played with once it is folded. The Paper Hat and Samurai Helmet are worn, the Paper Boat floats, the Fortune Teller opens and closes on your fingers, the Jumping Frog leaps when you flick its back, the Pinwheel spins and the Water Balloon inflates when you blow into it.
The hat, helmet and boat are easy and take three to five minutes; start with the hat, because the boat begins with exactly the same folds. The frog, pinwheel and water balloon are intermediate and take six to eight minutes.
Paper choice changes how well a toy works. Use a newspaper page for a hat or helmet you want to wear, and an index card for the frog, since soft paper will not spring. The fortune teller should be thin printer paper cut square so you can write fortunes inside. For the pinwheel, duo paper with a different color on each side shows the blades best; pin it loosely to a pencil eraser or a straw so it can turn. The water balloon needs thin, crisp paper — thick paper will not puff up when you blow into the hole.
Seasonal · Halloween
Halloween origami
Ghosts, bats, pumpkins, skulls and witch hats — easy spooky folds with animated steps and printable PDFs.
Seasonal · Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving origami
Napkin folds, place-card boxes, nut cups and gratitude notes — easy table folds with animated steps and printable PDFs.
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