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 it with origami! Ideas for simple 3D creations (31–40)
Charizard That Moves Its Mouth!
Charizard, the final evolution of the first-generation starter Charmander, who was a major star under Ash in the anime.
Let’s fold a Charizard face you can chomp open and close after finishing.
Prepare two sheets of orange origami paper of the same size: use one for Charizard’s mouth and the other for the face above the mouth.
When making the upper part of the face, be sure to draw Charizard’s facial features partway through the process.
Use a stapler to fasten each part.
Shape it as you go to give it a three-dimensional finish.
Once it’s done, hold both corners of the mouth and move them to make the mouth open and close with a chomp!
Make it with a single sheet of origami! Ribbon Box
This is a cute ribbon-shaped box that lets you put items on both the left and right sides of the ribbon.
Using double-sided origami paper with colors or patterns on both sides is recommended! First, make three vertical creases and an X-shaped set of diagonal creases, then fold along the creases to form a triangle by tucking the paper inward.
After folding a small triangle at the non-opening corner, unfold the whole piece, and, keeping the small square formed in the center in mind, fold around it.
Since this small square becomes the center of the ribbon, spread out both sides so they form box-like compartments.
By carefully using the guiding creases as you open it up, you’ll end up with a neat ribbon shape! It might also be nice to make it with larger origami paper.
How to fold a 3D Mewtwo
Mewtwo, a Pokémon artificially created based on Mew’s genes.
Prepare three sheets of standard-sized purple origami and one smaller sheet of origami.
Start by folding the small sheet into a triangle to make Mewtwo’s face.
Since the final result will be three-dimensional, draw Mewtwo’s face before shaping it to add depth.
Use the standard-sized origami to make Mewtwo’s body.
Make good use of the colored and white sides as you complete Mewtwo’s body.
Finally, assemble all the parts to finish.
When assembling, using a stapler makes it easy.
A Playable! Ribbon Ring Origami
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!
A heart-shaped box made from a single sheet
Let’s make a cute heart-shaped trinket box that will make you want to fill it with sweets.
First, fold it into a triangle twice to make creases, then fold the top and bottom corners toward the center.
Fold the same way once more and make a wrap fold.
From here, add more creases and fold it into a heart shape.
Leave the left side as is and fold it toward the center to form the side.
When folding the right corner, shape it into a heart.
Make two and stack them to create a lidded trinket box!
Let's make it with origami! Ideas for simple 3D creations (41–50)
Easy and cute cat box
Bringing out the corners to finish it as a round box is the key to giving it a cat-like look! Place the origami with the white side up and do a zabuton fold.
Flip the paper over, fold two opposite corners to the center, then roll-fold once more to crease and unfold.
Turn the paper over, fold all the center corners outward to form triangles.
Flip it over again, and use the creases you just made to stand up the edges.
Then fold the remaining corners inward to make a box.
Leave only one of the outer corners on either the right or left side unfolded to create the ears!
Cute and easy! Dog box
Here’s an origami idea for making a small dog-shaped box.
After folding the paper in half both ways into a square and a triangle to make creases, do a cushion fold (zabuton).
Using the creases, fold it into a square with the corners on the outside, then open the center of the square and squash it into a rectangle.
Repeat the same steps on the other side.
Turn and adjust the paper so the folded sections are on the inside, then fold the top corner of the new face down into a triangle.
Using the crease, tuck this section inward—this will be the dog’s ear.
Next, fold the left and right edges to meet the center line, and do the same on the back side, then fold the ears downward.
Open it out from the center and shape it, and your box is complete!