Around age three, kids start to enjoy activities that use their fingers.
How about folding origami together with them and having some fun?
If they like animals, many children are also interested in dinosaurs.
So this time, we’re sharing some simple dinosaur origami ideas that are perfect to try with three-year-olds.
Along with famous dinosaurs, there are also some you might not hear about often—but if your child loves dinosaurs, they’ll surely know them!
Take a look at the folding steps together with your child and enjoy a fun time.
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[Age 3] Have fun making with your child! A collection of easy dinosaur origami ideas (1–10)
Tyrannosaurus
For children who love dinosaurs, the Tyrannosaurus is probably something they look up to.
Its size and strength capture the hearts of dinosaur-loving kids and won’t let go.
When making a Tyrannosaurus with origami, you just follow the steps, but three-year-olds have small hands and aren’t used to detailed folds.
Be sure to work on it together at home and finish it as a single piece.
The impression changes a lot depending on what color origami you use.
It also sounds fun to make many in different colors.
Triceratops
Here’s an origami idea for a Triceratops with cool horns.
You’ll use two sheets of origami paper.
The first sheet makes the head and front legs; the second sheet makes the back legs and tail.
For the head and front legs, first crease an X and a 4×4 grid.
Then fold both sides toward the vertical center line, open the top four squares into a diamond, shape the bottom four squares into a boat, fold them down, and flatten into a diamond.
From there, form the horns and front legs.
When making the back legs and tail, the key is to create precise crease lines.
If your creases are firm, it’s not too difficult, so take your time and work carefully.
The face involves detailed steps, so it’s best for a parent or guardian to fold along together.
Spinosaurus
The Spinosaurus, with the sail on its back, is a dinosaur that many kids love because of its distinctive shape.
If you can recreate that Spinosaurus with origami, children will be delighted.
Even with a simple folding method, there are steps that require folding in and opening out.
Work together with an adult to make it.
It’s also recommended to color the finished piece with pens and draw in the face.
Lining up the completed dinosaurs and playing pretend with them sounds fun, too.
This origami project is sure to spark an even greater interest in dinosaurs.
Ankylosaurus
Ankylosaurus is a cool dinosaur with armor covering its back and a tail tipped with a stone-like bony club.
Here’s an idea you can fold from a single sheet of origami paper.
First, fold the paper in half diagonally twice to make an X-shaped crease.
Fold the top and bottom corners to the center line, then fold the top and bottom edges to the center line twice and unfold them.
Do the same with the left and right corners to make creases.
Next, mountain-fold the second creases out from the center line and fold them to meet the center.
Fold the top and bottom corners to the center line as well.
The narrow sections on the left and right will become the head and tail.
Fold both inward, then fold them back outward.
For the tail, pinch it inward and open the tip.
For the head, fold it back outward to shape it.
Finally, use the corners of the central square section to make the legs, and you’re done! There are some fine steps, so try tackling it together as a parent–child activity.
Supersaurus
Let’s make a Supersaurus with a characteristically long neck and tail! First, crease along an X, then pinch-fold the top and bottom corners, and fold the origami sheet in half outward.
Fold the triangular section at the front center toward the center line, then fold it back to the other side and tuck the tip slightly inward.
On the opposite triangle, fold it inward leaving a small gap from the center line, and similarly tuck the tip inward.
Inside-reverse-fold the left section to form the head.
For the right section, fold it inward, then fold it back outward, and finish with an inside reverse fold to create the tail.
Draw the eyes to complete it.
Brachiosaurus
Brachiosaurus, a herbivorous sauropod, is also a very popular dinosaur.
Since Brachiosaurus appears in the movie Jurassic Park, some people may feel a sense of familiarity with it.
So let’s try expressing its distinctive long neck and tail with origami.
Adults can handle the detailed folding steps, while children can take on the simpler steps like folding in half, allowing you to work together and finish smoothly.
Because it’s a dinosaur memorable for its scenes in herds, making several and playing with them should be exciting.
Pteranodon
Speaking of pterosaurs, Pteranodon! It’s one of the dinosaurs kids love.
This time, let’s make a Pteranodon out of origami.
First, make crease lines in an X shape, then fold two adjacent edges along the lines.
Fold the corner you’ve created up to meet the top corner, flip the paper over, and open the pocketed section.
Flip the paper over again, open the two triangles in the center into squares, and while overlapping the lower triangle onto the upper triangle, open the square sections you just made outward to form the wings.
Fold both triangular sections down to align with the bottom edge, then fold only the top one back up to complete the beak.
Fold the origami in half, shift the beak section slightly upward as you fold, and finally fold the wings back up to finish!