How to Make Origami Fish

Here are two easy paper fish kids can make. The first one is a simple folded fish. Like traditional origami, it uses only paper folding to make the fish shape, with no cutting or gluing. The second one is a flying fish that kids can toss into the air and watch as it spins slowly down. You can use origami paper to make these fish, or plain colored paper.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Colored paper or origami paper
• Scissors (optional)
• Marker or wiggly eye (optional)

Simple Folded Fish

1. Start with a square of colored paper.

2. Place the colored side of the paper down.

3. Fold the paper in half vertically. Crease the paper, then unfold it.

4. Fold the sides of the paper so that they meet in the center.

5. 

   Fold the top edges of the paper over to make a triangle and crease them well. This will be the fish’s face.

6. 

   Fold the lower flaps of paper out at an angle and crease them well. These will be the fish’s fins.

7. Insert your finger under the lower edge of the paper. Use your other hand to pinch the paper above your finger and crease it well. This will help the paper look like a fish.

8. 

   Flip the paper over to see the fish. Decorate the fish by drawing an eye or adding a wiggly eye, if desired.

Make a Flying Fish

9. Cut a strip of paper, about 1 inch wide and 8 1/2 inches long.

10. Place the paper “the long way” in front of you.

11. Cut a slit in the bottom edge of the paper, about 1 inch from the end. Cut about 3/4 of the way through the paper, but do not cut all the way through.

12. Cut a slit in the top edge of the paper, about 1 inch from the end. Cut about 3/4 of the way through the paper, but do not cut all the way through.

13. Bring the ends of the paper toward each other, making a loop. Insert the slits inside each other, so that the edges of the paper line up. This forms the tail of the fish.

14. Toss the fish and watch it flutter slowly down.

Tips & Warnings

• To make a square from a rectangular sheet of paper, fold the bottom edge up to meet the side. Crease the paper, and cut off the excess strip along the top. Unfold the paper to make a square. You can cut the extra strip of paper in half to make two flying fish.
• You can also make the folded fish from wrapping or scrapbook paper, or let the kids decorate it with crayons or markers.