How to Make Origami Animals

The art of origami can transform a regular square piece of paper into an amazing piece of art. It can be complex and tricky to create some pieces. Here are examples of creating fun and easy origami animals with your children.

Things You'll Need

• Origami paper (can be bought at craft/art stores, or you can purchase origami sets at places like Barnes and Noble)
• Googly eyes (can be bought at craft/art stores)
• Glue

Instructions

Making a Cat Face

1. Take your origami paper and lay it white side up. Lay it down so it looks like a diamond.

2. Fold the top half of the paper down so that you have what looks like a triangle.

3. Now fold that piece in half, left side over. Unfold your paper.

4. Take the bottom right of the triangle and fold it in towards the center crease. Do the same for the left side. This will be the ears of your cat.

5. Fold the top of the top of the triangle down (about an inch). Turn your cat over, and decorate with nose, mouth and whiskers. Glue on googly eyes for the eyes.

Making a Dog Face

1. This is much like the cat. Place your paper like a diamond, (white side up).

2. Fold your paper in half, bringing the top of the paper down.

3. Fold your paper in half, from the left side over. Unfold the paper.

4. Take the top right side of your paper, and fold downwards toward the crease. Do the same for the left side. These are your dog's ears.

5. Fold the bottom of the triangle upwards (about an inch) to make the dog's mouth.

6. Glue on googly eyes, and draw a nose on the dog.

How to Make an Elephant

1. Take your paper white side up, and lay it down so it looks like a square.

2. Fold the paper in half, top down. Unfold the paper.

3. Fold the paper the paper in half from right to left. You'll have what looks like four squares.

4. Take the left corner (the top) and fold it to meet the center crease.

5. Fold the paper in half, from the top to the bottom.

6. Take the left side of your paper, and fold it in to meet the center crease. Unfold.

7. Make a squash fold. This is where you've just opened your last fold and opened it. Once you've opened this fold, you'll "squash" it down.

8. Fold the top right (about 3/4 inch) of the elephant down behind it. This is it's tail.

9. Now you can draw the elephant's mouth and tusks and glue on an eye.

Tips & Warnings

• If creating these crafts with your children, a glue stick may be better to use for mess factor.

Resources

• Origami cat
• Origami dog
• Origami elephant
• Squash fold