How to Make an Origami Fish (Easy for Kids)
Source: Red Ted Art (Maggy Woodley) • Full tutorial: www.craftingstepbystep.com/paper-crafts/how-to-make-an-origami-fish
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Hands-on time
- About 10 minutes
- Makes
- 1 origami fish
Materials
- square origami paper
- black marker or googly eye
Steps
1. Fold the Diagonal Crease to Make a Square
Start with a rectangle sheet of paper. Fold one short edge across to meet the long side, lining up the corners so the fold makes a clean diagonal.
Tip: Watch this step If you already have square origami paper, skip the cutting and go straight to the triangle fold. It saves a step for little hands.
2. Cut the Leftover Strip Off with Scissors
See the strip of paper poking out past the folded triangle? Snip it off with scissors along the edge of the folded part.
Tip: Watch this step Let an adult handle the scissors for younger kids, or pre-cut a stack of squares so they can jump straight to folding.
3. Valley Fold the Triangle in Half to Set the Center Crease
Fold the triangle in half, bringing one point over to the other so it becomes a smaller triangle. Run your nail along the fold, then open it right back up.
Tip: Watch this step Press each crease with the flat of a fingernail or the edge of a ruler. Crisp folds hold their shape and keep the fish from springing open.
4. Fold the Top and Bottom Edges to the Center Crease
Bring the top edge and the bottom edge in toward the middle crease so the square flattens into a wide band. Line the raw edges up along the center line and press them down.
Tip: Watch this step Work on a hard, flat surface. Folding on a soft couch or bed makes the creases wander, and the fish ends up lopsided.
5. Pull Out the Tail Fin and Shape the Fish Body
Now make it look like a fish. Pull the loose flaps out to one side so a pointed tail fin pops up, and let the wide part become the body.
Tip: Watch this step Angle the tail up or down to give each fish its own attitude. Fold a few and no two have to point the same way.
6. Draw the Eye and Mouth with a Marker
Grab a marker and give your fish a face. Draw a small round eye near the front point and a little curved mouth just below it.
Tip: Watch this step A fine-tip black marker gives the cleanest eye. Googly eyes are more fun for little kids and hide any wobbly ink.
