ORIGAMI

The most fundamental of all origami moves. Learn how to fold the edges of the paper away from you to create a raised peak that looks exactly like a mountain ridge.

The exact opposite of the mountain! Fold the paper toward you so the crease lies at the bottom, creating a deep 'valley' that forms the basis of almost every simple model.

Unlock the first secret of professional folders. Learn how to pry open a flap of paper and press it flat, creating a brand new shape without making any extra messy creases.

Not all paper is equal! Discover the difference between standard 'kami' paper, beautiful traditionally patterned 'washi,' and foil paper that is perfect for models that need to hold a strict shape.

Used to create the heads and necks of birds and animals. Learn how to pop a fold 'inside out' to hide the raw edges of the paper securely inside the model.

The companion to the inside reverse. This fold wraps the paper around the outside of a point, creating a wider and stronger shape used for the tails of animals or dragons.

A crucial step for creating flowers and birds. Learn how to lift a single point of paper and fold its edges inward to create a tall, diamond-shaped 'petal' for your work.

One of the trickiest basic moves! Discover how to push a closed point of paper straight down into the center of the model, hiding it completely without tearing the delicate paper.

Create texture and flexibility. Learn how to alternate mountain and valley folds back and forth to create an accordion-like pleat, perfect for making leaves, fans, or the wings of an insect.

Pinch three intersecting valley folds together to create a long, thin flap that stands straight up. This technique is appropriately named and is used to make the ears of animal models.

Become fluent in the universal language of origami! Learn what dotted lines, solid lines, and swooping arrows mean so you can follow instructions from expert folders from anywhere around the globe.

The simplest 'base' in all of origami. Two valley folds create a shape that looks just like a kite or an ice cream cone, the starting point for many easy designs.

Also known as the 'Square Base.' By combining two mountain folds and two valley folds, you create a small geometric square with four open flaps, ready to become almost anything imaginable.

The opposite of the Square Base. This creates a triangle with four flaps, used to make frogs, balloons, and hundreds of other models throughout the rich and beautiful history of origami.

The gateway to mastery. By doing a petal fold on a Preliminary Base, you create the long, thin points needed for the wings, head, and tail of the most famous models.

Fold a classic action model! Using the Waterbomb Base and thick paper, create a tiny green frog with a special folded spring in its back legs that actually jumps when pressed.

The perfect first project. With just five simple valley folds on a single piece of square paper, you can create a happy dog face complete with floppy ears and a nose.

Similar to the dog but with pointy ears! Fold the corners up sharply to give your feline friend a distinct look, and customize it by drawing on a nose and whiskers.

Dive into paper folding! Use a Kite Base to create a sleek body, then use a pair of clever reverse folds to give your fish a tail capable of swimming away.

Another amazing action model! Fold a bird and learn the secret of pulling the tail to make the wings flap up and down smoothly without tearing the delicate paper joints apart.

Bring the garden inside. Learn how to fold wide, beautiful wings from a Waterbomb Base, perfectly balanced and symmetrical, ready to be decorated with bright markers or colorful paint patterns.

A fun and simple design. Use a narrow Kite Base to create a pointed nose and a long, thin tail, resulting in a cute little mouse that can sit on your desk.

Create a face that moves! By leaving the back folded loosely, you can slip your fingers inside and make the fox's mouth open and close as if it is really talking.

Use paper that is black on one side and white on the other. Learn how to cleverly expose the white side to give your penguin a realistic stomach and distinct face.

Start with a very narrow strip of paper or a modified Kite Base. Use repeated pleat folds to give the snake its slithering curves and a tiny reverse fold for the head.

Oink oink! Discover how to squash fold the front of a model to create a flat, blunt snout, and use a tight curl at the back for the classic pig tail.

A lovely model that teaches 3D shaping. Fold the legs flat, but puff out the back using gentle pressure to create the domed shell of a happy, slow-moving paper sea turtle.

Use a diamond base to create an owl. The tricky part is folding the top down perfectly to create the iconic 'horns' or ears while leaving a flat space for large eyes.

Different from the rabbit ear fold! This model uses pleats to create the powerful back legs and a squash fold to shape the long ears of a cute, hopping woodland rabbit.

Create eight legs! This model introduces you to creating multiple 'points' from a single square of paper, a skill that is vital when you want to design your very own insects.

The most famous origami model in the world. Learn to fold the classic Japanese 'Orizuru,' a symbol of peace and hope, using the Bird Base and precise, careful reverse folds throughout.

Explore the legend of the 'Senbazuru.' It is said that anyone who folds one thousand cranes will be granted a wish by the gods or given eternal good luck and health.

Step back in time! This advanced model requires paper foil to hold its shape perfectly. Learn how to balance the heavy tail with the large head so the dinosaur stands alone.

A masterpiece of proportion. Learn how to use a deep sink fold to separate the trunk from the massive ears, creating an incredibly realistic elephant from a single uncut square of paper.

Insects are the hardest origami models because they have six legs! Learn how advanced designers use 'hex-pleating' to pull out enough points from the paper to create every leg and horn.

The ultimate challenge for many folders. Learn to combine a pleated tail, a horned head, and large, sweeping wings into a magnificent dragon that looks ready to take flight tonight.

An exercise in elegant curves. Instead of sharp, hard creases, learn the art of 'soft folding' the neck to give the swan a beautiful, organic posture that looks like real life.

Focus on the details! Learn how to use tiny reverse folds and squash folds to create the serrated, menacing pincers of a stag beetle from a very small piece of paper.

A dramatic presentation. Learn how to pleat the body so the cobra can coil and hold its head up, and use a clever flap to fan out the iconic, terrifying warning hood.

Combine the legs of a horse with the wings of a bird. This complex model requires you to carefully manage the thickness of the paper in the center of the fold.

A delicate and spindly design. You must pull incredibly thin points from the paper to create the long, grasping front arms and the triangular head of this unique and famous garden hunter.

Use two-colored paper for a grey back and white belly. Learn how to use a simple 'clip' or inside reverse fold to create the dorsal fin that makes a shark so recognizable.

A beautiful silhouette. This design focuses on the outline, using a stark, sharp profile to create the image of a lone wolf sitting and howling up at the midnight moon sky.

A stunning visual model. The body is simple, but the entire back half of the paper is folded into dozens of tiny, precise accordion pleats to create the massive, beautiful tail fan.

An upgrade to the horse! You must find a way to pull one extra, tiny point out from the head of the model to create the magical horn without ruining the ears.

The easiest and most rewarding flower. In under ten steps, you can create a beautiful red or yellow tulip cup, and then fold a green stem for it to sit on.

A stunning geometric design. Start with a blintz base and fold the corners to the center repeatedly. The magic happens when you pull the layers inside out to reveal the petals.

The holy grail of origami flowers! Invented by a mathematician, this flower is folded by creating a 3D grid and 'twisting' the paper into a beautiful, spiraling, incredibly realistic red rose.

Fold four small heart shapes and connect them. This fun and simple modular design is perfect for St. Patrick's Day or for giving someone a bit of handmade, paper-crafted good luck.

Celebrate the fall season! Use five pieces of paper or a complex single-sheet design to create the jagged, five-pointed shape of a beautiful red or orange maple tree leaf today.

A traditional model with a sleek design. The lily (or iris) uses the Waterbomb Base and careful petal folds to create four long, elegant petals that peel back gracefully to open.

A lovely winter decoration. Create the triangular shape of a pine tree using overlapping pleats, giving the tree texture and depth that looks perfect on a holiday card or small diorama.

A large, cheerful model. Fold dozens of small petals around a large central disc. This model requires patience but results in a stunning piece of bright yellow art for your room.

The symbol of spring in Japan. Learn how to fold a regular square into a 'pentagon' (five sides) so you can create the perfect, five-petaled shape of a delicate cherry blossom.

A study in repetition. Fold a long, green strip of paper into dozens of identical pleats to mimic the complex, fractal-like pattern of a wild fern growing in the damp forest.

Fold a round, green ball and tuck the edges to create a 3D cactus shape. Add a small brown box for a pot, and you have a plant that never needs watering!

A sweet and simple flower. Use modular origami to create the white petals and surround a bright yellow center, perfect for making a whole chain or a bouquet for your mother's desk.

A unique tree model. Focus on creating long, thin strips from the top of the paper that drape down lazily, capturing the melancholy and beautiful look of the weeping willow tree.

A festive favorite! The poinsettia is actually made of bright red leaves, not petals. Learn how to fold this star-like shape to decorate your home during the cold, dark winter holidays.

A variation on the Kawasaki rose that is slightly easier. It focuses on curling the outer edges of the paper with a pencil to give the petals a soft, open, organic look.

The most useful origami you will learn! The 'masu' is a sturdy, traditional Japanese square box. Fold two of them—one slightly larger—to create a perfect box with a tight-fitting lid.

A beautiful variation of the square box. The corners are flared out into triangular points, making it look like a star from above. Great for holding paperclips or tiny sweet candies.

Don't buy envelopes ever again! Learn how to fold a letter perfectly so that the paper itself becomes the envelope, locking shut securely without needing any tape, glue, or messy seals.

Upgrade from the square! Learn how to divide your paper into thirds and fold a box with six sides. It requires more precision but results in a very beautiful and unique container.

Need a drink right now? Fold a simple, watertight cup in just four folds. While it won't hold water forever, it proves how strong and useful a single sheet of paper is.

Fold a functional wallet with two separate pockets! Use a sturdy piece of paper or even a large, colorful magazine page to create a custom wallet to safely hold your cash today.

A very sleek, modern-looking container. This pyramid-shaped box is perfect for tiny gifts like jewelry or folded stars, and it stands out from the usual square boxes you see in stores.

An incredibly fun spring project. Fold a deep container and then craft a separate, woven handle that attaches securely to the sides, allowing you to carry your tiny treasures safely around.

A box with a rounded top! This clever design uses pleats to create a curved lid that mimics an antique pirate treasure chest, perfect for storing your secret gold coin collection.

Movie night just got better! Fold a large, sturdy cone from a heavy piece of paper or newspaper that is perfectly shaped to hold a massive serving of your hot, buttery popcorn.

If you only have printer paper (A4), you must know how to make it square! Learn the geometric fold that guarantees a perfect 90-degree square without using a ruler or protractor.

Origami is mathematics! Learn the clever trick of folding points to the center line to perfectly divide a sheet of paper into equal thirds, a skill needed for advanced, complex models.

Can you make a six-sided shape from a square? Yes! Discover how to use 60-degree angle folds to find the perfect center points and cut the perfect hexagon shape for a snowflake.

The ultimate math project! Use 'Sonobe' units to build the five Platonic Solids: the Tetrahedron, Cube, Octahedron, Dodecahedron, and Icosahedron, exploring the beautiful rules of ancient 3D geometry and space.

Every fold cuts an angle in half! Learn how a simple valley fold 'bisects' a 90-degree corner into two 45-degree angles, turning your hands into a powerful geometric calculating machine.

Discover how origami can replicate the 'Fibonacci Sequence' and the Golden Ratio. See how this naturally pleasing proportion appears in paper shells, flowers, and even the shape of the galaxies above.

Fold a flat sheet of paper with concentric rings of pleats. When you pull it, the paper snaps into a stunning, saddle-shaped 3D curve that mathematicians call a Hyperbolic Paraboloid surface.

Invented by an astrophysicist! This specific zigzag fold allows a massive flat sheet to be packed into a tiny square with one motion. It is used on real satellites and solar panels.

Create stunning art by folding a grid of tiny pleats. A tessellation is a pattern of shapes that fits together perfectly without gaps, creating a sheet of paper that looks like woven cloth.

Prove the Pythagorean theorem using a folded piece of paper! Let logic and geometry show you that A-squared plus B-squared equals C-squared without ever having to write down an equation.

The LEGO brick of origami! Learn the simple 'Sonobe' fold. While boring on its own, when you fold 30 of them, they interlock to create massive, stunning, and colorful 3D spheres.

Start your modular journey simply. Fold three identical units and slot the 'points' into the 'pockets' to build a perfect, enclosed cube without using a single drop of messy glue.

A classic playground favorite. Fold two identical pieces of paper in mirror image and interlock them. The result is a four-pointed, sturdy 'shuriken' that flies perfectly straight across the open room.

Kusudama translates to 'medicine ball.' Learn how to fold five simple petals and glue them into a flower. Then, connect 12 flowers to form a massive, beautiful, hanging floral sphere decoration.

A step up in difficulty! Fold twelve Sonobe units and learn the puzzling trick of interlocking them to create a satisfying, spiky 3D star that looks incredibly complicated but is just math.

Fold a ring of interlocking geometric units. The amazing part? The ring is flexible! You can continuously turn it inside out, revealing different colors and shapes in a never-ending loop of fun.

Instead of squares, use long strips of paper. Learn how to weave them over and under each other, locking them together into a remarkably strong and lightweight hollow ball for display.

Perfect for a birthday! Fold dozens of simple triangular points and slot them together in a large circle to create a spikey, customizable crown that actually fits on top of your head.

Combine hexagons and pentagons to build an origami 'Buckminsterfullerene' molecule. This is a perfect crossover for science fans, demonstrating exactly how 60 carbon atoms link together in the real chemical world.

The ultimate test of dedication. Spend hours folding 90 identical units, and then brave the mind-bending puzzle of assembling them into an incredibly complex, massive, and stunning mathematical work of art.

A secret of the masters! Discover how lightly dampening thick paper breaks down the sizing, allowing you to sculpt the origami almost like clay, drying into a hard, permanent curved shape.

For complex models, a sloppy fold ruins everything. Learn how to 'score' your paper with a bone folder or empty pen to ensure your creases are microscopically sharp and perfectly straight.

How do you make an animal's leg bend? The 'crimp' forces a flap of paper to reverse direction, creating a knee or an elbow without adding unnecessary layers or bulk around the joint.

A highly advanced maneuver. Learn how to pivot a flap of paper around a central point, shifting the geometry of the entire model while miraculously keeping the whole thing completely flat.

Sinks come in two flavors! An 'open' sink pushes the point down while keeping the rest of the paper spread out. It is essential for managing the thickness of highly complex shapes.

The nightmare of beginners! A 'closed' sink requires you to push a point inside a locked pocket of paper. It requires extreme patience, but locks the model together so it won't unfold.

Make your own professional paper! Learn how to use spray adhesive to glue a layer of tissue paper to aluminum foil, creating a beautiful sheet that holds any crease perfectly forever.

Stop following instructions and make your own! Learn how to read a 'Crease Pattern' (CP) and how professionals use math rules to design brand new animals and shapes from scratch everyday.

Folding the model is only half the battle. Discover how to use tweezers, steam, and gentle pressure to give your flat paper shapes the 3D volume, curves, and 'life' of reality.

In a 100-step model, the paper gets thick! Learn techniques for dealing with ten layers of paper, ensuring your final folds don't tear the sheet or become an ugly, unmanageable lump.

If one rabbit ear is good, two is better! Learn this advanced base technique used to pull two very long, thin points out of a single flap, perfect for insect antennae/legs.

Moving beyond square grids! Learn why placing your folds on a 60-degree hexagonal grid allows you to design models with an incredibly high number of points, unleashing the world of complex bugs.

Who says creases have to be straight? Explore the avant-garde world of curved origami, where you gently score arcs into the paper to create stunning, echoing 3D sculptures full of tension.

Named after a famous folder. Discover how to stretch the center of a base outward to create incredibly long flaps without narrowing the rest of the paper, vital for wings and tails.

The best way to learn! Take an existing, complex model and carefully unfold it entirely. Look at the grid of creases left behind to understand exactly how the designer thought and planned.

Origami forbids cutting, but 'Kirigami' embraces it! Learn how to fold paper symmetrically and use scissors to snip out shapes, revealing a stunning, lacy, six-sided snowflake when you open it up.

Travel to Mexico! Learn how to stack colorful tissue paper and use a chisel or scissors to cut out intricate designs, creating beautiful banners used for Dia de los Muertos celebrations.

Explore 'Jianzhi,' the ancient Chinese art of paper cutting. Discover how to carefully cut away the negative space from red paper to create detailed dragons, flowers, and symbols of good luck.

You can't fold without paper! Learn the fascinating history of how pulp and screens were invented in China around 105 AD, forever changing how humanity records history and creates its art.

A classic German decoration. Use four strips of paper and a combination of weaving and folding to create a stunning, 3D Moravian star that looks beautiful hanging on a winter holiday tree.

Discover the Korean tradition of paper folding. While similar to Japanese origami, it places a heavy emphasis on combining bright primary colors and is deeply integrated into school playtime and childhood.

A totally different paper art! Learn 'quilling,' where you roll very thin strips of paper into tight coils, pinch them into shapes, and glue them to a canvas to make pictures.

Originating in France and Italy, learn how to turn paper into a permanent surface! Use glue to layer paper cutouts onto a box or furniture, sealing it to look like painting.

The ultimate paper project! Blend old newspapers with water to make a pulpy soup, press it through a screen, and dry it to create your very own thick, beautiful, handmade, textured paper.

Explore the European tradition! Unamuno popularized 'papiroflexia' in Spain, focusing on geometric animals and structural designs that developed entirely separately from the Japanese traditions for many hundreds of years ago.

The modern revolution! Learn how American physicists and engineers in the 1990s used mathematics and computers to revolutionize origami, taking it from simple paper cranes to hyper-realistic, complex insect models.

A messy and fun art! Mix flour and water to create a glue paste. Layer strips of newspaper over a mold to sculpt masks, bowls, or piñatas that dry as hard as rock.

Why is traditional Japanese Washi the best paper for origami? Learn how it is made by hand from the bark of the mulberry tree, resulting in long fibers that survive thousands of folds.

A fun American tradition! Learn how to use the exact dimensions of a US one-dollar bill to fold a koi fish, a shirt, or a ring, perfect for leaving a memorable tip.

The mental health benefits of folding! Discover how the repetitive, focused actions of following a diagram can lower stress, improve hand-eye coordination, and serve as a powerful form of mindful meditation.

See origami in space! Space agencies use origami folds, like the Miura fold, to pack massive, fragile solar panels and telescope mirrors into tiny rockets, deploying them smoothly once in orbit.

Origami saves lives! The airbag in your car must fit in a tiny space but expand perfectly in milliseconds. Engineers use complex origami algorithms to determine exactly how to fold the fabric.

A miracle of modern medicine. Doctors use origami tubes made of special metal that are folded incredibly small, inserted into a blood vessel, and then expand to keep the heart beating strong.

The future is here! Imagine a sheet of material that, when heated, automatically folds itself into a walking robot. Researchers are using origami patterns to make self-assembling machines a reality today.

Origami on a massive scale! Architects are designing disaster-relief shelters and stadium roofs that can fold up flat for transport and then unfold instantly to provide safe, tough, weather-resistant cover quickly.

Using a 'Yoshimura' pattern, engineers created a lightweight, bulletproof shield of Kevlar that folds up into the size of a notebook, allowing police to carry massive protection easily in a small car.

The smallest origami in the universe! Scientists are actually programming strands of human DNA to 'fold' themselves into tiny boxes, allowing them to deliver cancer-fighting drugs directly into a single sick cell.

Origami on the runway! Fashion designers use pleating techniques to create dresses that expand, contract, and hold incredible geometric shapes, turning soft fabric into structured, wearable, moving pieces of 3D modern art.

Look closely at your next pizza delivery! The modern pizza box is a masterpiece of commercial origami, folded from a single flat piece of cardboard to provide strength, vent steam, and retain heat.

Origami is the best teacher! Schools around the world use paper folding to teach fractions, geometry, and spatial reasoning, proving that working with your hands makes complex math suddenly easy to understand.

Celebrate the melting snow! Fold a bouquet of pink and yellow tulips with bright green stems to bring the fresh, vibrant energy of spring weather straight into your kitchen or your bedroom.

A perfect summer afternoon project. Fold a classic sailboat using waterproof or wax paper, and take it down to the local creek or bathtub to see how well it actually floats.

Capture the spirit of autumn! Fold the classic jumping frog using paper colored to look like orange and brown fallen leaves, having races with your friends on the cold, clear autumn days.

Get ready for Halloween night! Fold a sleek, black bat with pointed ears and large wings. Hang a dozen of them from the ceiling to give your room a wonderfully spooky and scary feel.

A fun table decoration! This model focuses on pleating to create the massive, fanned-out tail of the turkey, perfect for setting next to the plates before the big Thanksgiving family dinner.

Embrace the Kirigami style! Fold a square into six parts and use scissors to snip out intricate patterns, unfolding it to reveal a completely unique, six-sided frozen snowflake for the winter window.

Ho Ho Ho! Use paper that is red on one side and white on the other. Clever folds allow you to create Santa's red suit, white beard, and hat from a single square.

A beautiful door decoration. Fold eight simple green units and interlock them into a large ring. Add a tiny red origami bow to complete a festive wreath that will last for years.

Ring in the new year! Fold a spectacular, complex 3D star using foil paper so it catches the light. Hang it up as a symbol of hope and bright prospects for the future.

Show someone you care. Fold a perfect red heart and slip a secret message inside. It is a simple, thoughtful, and personal gift that is much better than a store-bought greeting card.

Stop buying plastic bows! Learn how to use a long strip of colorful paper, folding it back and forth to create a beautiful, layered star bow to top off your birthday presents.

Frame your memories! Use a thick piece of patterned paper to fold a sturdy frame that holds a 4x6 photograph perfectly, complete with a built-in stand so it can sit on a desk.

The classic classroom trick! Learn how to write a message on a piece of paper and fold the paper itself into an interlocking puzzle, ensuring no one can read it but your friend.

Leave a tip they will never forget! Use a dollar bill to fold a beautiful, symmetrical butterfly. The proportions of the bill are actually perfect for this elegant and highly appreciated design.

Never lose your page again! Fold a quick and simple 'corner bookmark' that slides securely over the edge of the page. Decorate it to look like a monster eating the book's pages!

The perfect Father's Day card! Fold a piece of paper into the shape of a collared shirt, and use a separate, tiny piece of paper to fold a contrasting tie for the front.

A heavy-duty container. Learn how to use thick cardstock to fold a rigid, incredibly strong box. It is the perfect, handmade way to give a friend a piece of jewelry or candy.

Fold a tiny Kawasaki rose from a small square, and attach it to a ring folded from a narrow strip of paper. A delicate, beautiful piece of temporary jewelry for a special event.

Combine origami and kirigami! Learn how to make cuts and folds inside a folded card so that when the recipient opens it, a 3D heart, mouth, or expanding building pops out at them.

The ultimate gift of caring. String 100 or even 1000 tiny folded cranes onto long threads. Giving this to a sick friend or a newlywed couple is a massive symbol of your love.