Let's make it with origami! Ideas for simple 3D creations
Origami tends to be associated with flat designs, but you can actually make lots of three-dimensional pieces too.
In this article, we’ll introduce ideas for 3D origami projects.
From simple shapes like hearts, stars, and dice to small containers and toys you can play with, we’ve gathered a variety of ideas.
If you want to try making 3D origami or are looking for something a bit more challenging than flat designs, feel free to use this as a reference.
All of these ideas involve relatively simple steps, so give them a try without hesitation!
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Let's make origami! Ideas for simple 3D creations (11–20)
Tulip
Using the center crease as a guide, fold it down into small triangles, paying attention to overlaps so you can build in a structure that can be opened up later.
Once you shape it and expand it into a tube, add soft, petal-like curves to the pointed tip to complete the flower.
It’s best to make the creases as gentle as possible; the soft layering creates a petal-like three-dimensional effect.
Finally, attach the stem and leaf pieces to finish the whole piece.
The simpler the stem and leaf parts are, the more the flower’s three-dimensionality stands out.
Cute star-shaped box
This is a star-shaped origami box that looks cute just as it is on display.
Because you fold it into a star shape, some steps may feel a bit complex.
But that makes the sense of accomplishment even greater when it’s finished.
It’s a piece I’d love origami enthusiasts to try.
As you keep folding and adjust the form, the star shape will come together.
Once it’s done, just imagining what to put inside can be exciting.
You could make several boxes to decorate your room, or fill them with sweets and give them as gifts.
Easy origami school backpackNEW!
This is an idea to make a complete randoseru (school backpack) from a single sheet of origami paper by creating the body, the flap, and the shoulder straps.
First, crease the origami paper and cut off one quarter.
Fold the short edge of the cut-off piece to make the flap.
Take the remaining origami, fold it in half by aligning the long edges, then fold it into thirds to make creases.
Open the tri-folded section, fold it in half by aligning the short edges to make creases; you should now have the paper divided into six blocks while folded in half.
Place it vertically with the creases on the right, and cut off the lower left end along the crease.
Fold this cut-off strip narrowly to make the shoulder straps, and assemble the remaining part into a box shape to form the body.
Holds a lot! Backpack-style gift boxNEW!
Make it with three sheets of origami! It’s a slightly larger randoseru (Japanese school backpack).
Fold two of the three sheets into the same shape for the main body, and use the remaining one to make the flap and shoulder straps.
First, fold the body sheet in half to make a crease and open it, then fold up the bottom edge to meet the crease.
Rotate the paper so the folded section is on the left, then fold it in half aligning top and bottom.
Open it once the crease is made, and fold the top and bottom edges to the center crease.
When you open the top and bottom folds, you should see three crease lines on the left section you first folded; make cuts along the lower two of those three lines.
Make two of these and assemble them into a box shape, then attach the flap and shoulder straps to finish the backpack.
Spinning Kaleidoscope
This is a craft you can enjoy like a kaleidoscope, with colors changing as you twist the whole piece inward and outward.
You fold paper into an accordion, then add steps of folding and pulling out the ends to shape it into an “M.” Connect those parts together, and finally join the two ends to form a circle to complete the piece.
Thanks to the distinctive M-shape and the accordion folds, the structure allows the front and back to flip cleanly as it rotates.
Try arranging the colors and connecting the front and back in different ways to enjoy a variety of color patterns.
How to fold a playable spinning topNEW!
Here’s a simple spinning top idea made with two sheets of origami paper.
If you can do the “zabuton fold,” where you fold all four corners toward the center, you can make it.
Use the first sheet for the body of the top and the second sheet for the handle.
For the body, do one zabuton fold, then flip the paper over and fold the same way.
Flip the paper over once more and do another zabuton fold.
Then fold the four corners that have gathered on the back outward into triangles, and the body is done.
For the handle, do the zabuton fold three times in a row without flipping, then valley-fold along the diagonal and press it flat.
Insert the handle into the inner, folded-back section of the body to complete the top.
A Playable! Ribbon Ring OrigamiNEW!
Also great for pretend play! This is an origami ring with a cute ribbon.
First, fold into a square and fold the front edge up to the center, then cut.
Take the cut piece and fold the top and bottom edges to align with the crease.
Fold the left and right edges in to meet the center.
Fold the top and bottom edges to the central crease.
Unfold, then make inside reverse folds along the creases.
Open it and fold the layers inward along the creases.
Fold the left side to the right, using the upper and lower right corners as a guide, to the right.
Fold only the top layer of the top and bottom to align with the center slit.
Next, fold the left and right edges.
Flatten the triangles.
Turn it over and tuck the left and right edges into the inner gaps.
Once tucked, fold the ends.
Fold the left and right sides along the outside of the triangles to shape it into a ring, and you’re done!
Decorating is fun! A cake boxNEW!
Fold two origami papers into box shapes and stack them to represent the cake’s sponge and cream.
Place a three-dimensional strawberry and piped cream on top to finish.
Before forming the box shape, make fine creases, and proceed carefully.
For the cream, take a 5 cm origami sheet, fold it into a square twice, then squash the pocketed part into a triangle.
Fold it in half again, then roll it up from the edge to shape it.
For the strawberry, fold it into a triangle twice, squash the pocketed part into a square, and fold in the corners of the paper to make the calyx.
Finally, puff up the remaining part and it’s done!
Perfect for small gifts! Gift wrappingNEW!
If you’re thinking that a birthday present might feel a bit plain when both the wrapping bag and its contents are store-bought, how about a handmade mini pouch made from origami? It’s the perfect little pouch for small chocolates or candies, so once you learn how to make it, you’ll find it handy in many situations.
All you need is origami paper and glue—even if you’re not confident with crafts, it’s OK! Using 15 cm × 15 cm origami paper yields a palm-sized pouch.
Since it’s made by layering the paper, it’s reasonably sturdy too, which is a nice bonus.
How to fold a colorful randoseruNEW!
A backpack made from a single sheet of origami paper! The finished piece is small, but it looks like you could tuck in a little candy and give it as a gift.
If you make several in different colors and line them up, they’ll make perfect April decorations! First, fold the origami paper in half, then fold it once more in the same direction to make creases.
Along the creases, cut off one quarter of the paper and use that part to make the flap.
After adding more creases, cut off the shoulder strap section as well.
Assemble the remaining paper into a box shape, then attach the flap and shoulder straps to finish!