How to Make a 3-D Origami Owl

Make a realistic origami owl from paper.

The art of origami involves folding square sheets of colored paper to make shapes of objects and animals. You can make a 3-D origami paper owl as a decoration or to give as a gift. Your owl can be made in a variety of shapes and colors. You can even draw on facial features when you're finished folding, or hang it from the ceiling for a realistic effect.

Things You'll Need

• Square sheet of colored paper (at least 6 by 6 inches)
• Scissors
• Pen

Instructions

1. Place your sheet of paper on the table with the colored side facing up, and so it looks like a diamond rather than a square. Fold the top corner down to the bottom corner, and the left corner to the right corner; open the paper back out again.

2. Turn the paper over and shift it so it looks square. Fold in half from top to bottom, and from left to right; open the paper back out again to reveal the folds. Twist back around to show a diamond shape.

3. Fold the left, right and top corners down to the bottom corner and fold inward using the creases made in Steps 1 and 2. Press the model flat. Fold the left and right sides of the diamond shape so that they meet in the middle. Fold the leftover top corner down to form a triangle shape; unfold again.

4. Fold only the top layer of your origami model, bringing it upward to meet the top fold you just made. Press the sides inward using the creases on the left and right that you just made. Push the paper flat. Turn the origami over and repeat on the other side.

5. Fold the front flap of your long diamond shape downward. Turn the paper over and repeat. On the top layer only, fold the left and right corners in to meet the center line; turn the origami over and repeat on the other side.

6. Reach into the inside layer of your origami model and pull out the wings on the left and right sides, using the existing crease marks to make a double flap. They should sit in the middle of your model.

7. Fold the top point of your diamond down to meet the middle. A third of the way down, fold the paper back up on itself. Fold the two pieces down to the middle, adjacent with the top of the wings, to form the head.

8. Cut through only the top origami layer an inch up from the bottom of the diamond. Fold upward to a 90-degree angle to form the feet. Turn the origami model over.

9. Cut through the top layer of the top of the back of your owl on the left and right sides, about a 1/2 inch down, to met the top center. Lift the two triangles up from the top fold. Turn the owl over; it's now complete.

Tips & Warnings

• Draw facial features onto your owl with a pen to bring it to life. Attach string or thread to the back of the owl to hang it from the ceiling.

References

• Origami-Fun: Origami Owl Instructions