Let's make it with origami! A collection of ways to fold “dinosaurs”
There are lots of kids who love dinosaurs, aren’t there?
Dinosaurs are so fascinating that not only boys but girls, too, can get totally absorbed in them.
In this article, we’ve put together instructions for folding dinosaurs that are popular with kids, like the Tyrannosaurus, Triceratops, and Pteranodon.
There are a variety of models, from easy to difficult, so be sure to try them together as a parent-child activity.
If you change the size or type of origami paper, you can make them look even cooler—your kids are sure to be thrilled when they see the finished results!
Adults might get hooked, too!
Let’s make all kinds of dinosaurs and have fun.
Let’s make it with origami! A roundup of how to fold dinosaurs (1–10)
Tyrannosaurus
The Tyrannosaurus, often called the most fearsome carnivorous dinosaur, is loved by both adults and kids.
How about recreating that Tyrannosaurus with origami? If you use a relatively large sheet, about 26×26 centimeters, you’ll get a striking, powerful form! The key is to focus on making precise creases as you fold.
It might be difficult at first, but with practice you’ll improve.
Let’s make a meticulously detailed Tyrannosaurus and show it off!
Spinosaurus
With the sail-like structure on its back, Spinosaurus was once called a quirky dinosaur.
After appearing in the Jurassic Park series, it quickly became hugely popular! Made in origami, it looks adorable and you can’t help but grow fond of it.
You can make it with standard-sized origami paper, and it’s not too difficult, so it’s a great recommendation for kids’ summer vacation projects! If you tweak the size and paper colors, you can create a whole Spinosaurus family and have fun with it.
Give it a try!
Mosasaurus
The mosasaurus is a dinosaur with scales that looks like a cross between a shark and a crocodile.
It’s said to have been the most fearsome creature in the Cretaceous seas! Many people may remember it from Jurassic World.
Let’s try to depict this mosasaurus using a large sheet of origami paper.
A 26×26 cm sheet works well, or you can cut paper to that size.
For complex dinosaur folds, larger paper makes the process easier.
Some steps may be challenging, but give it a try and do your best!
Brachiosaurus
How about trying to fold a Brachiosaurus in origami, known for its long neck and said to be the tallest dinosaur? To achieve the long neck, you’ll use three sheets of standard-size origami paper.
First make the head and neck, then the tail, and finally the body and legs.
Finish by gluing the parts together, and you’re done! It’s relatively easy to make and has a cute shape, so it’s great to do with kids.
Making several and using them as decorations would look lovely, too! Give it a try and have fun creating one.
Allosaurus
How about making an Allosaurus—one of the top carnivorous dinosaurs alongside Tyrannosaurus—with origami? Use a large 26×26 cm sheet of origami paper, or a piece of paper cut to that size.
It’s made from a single sheet, so the difficulty may be on the higher side, but the finished form looks really cool and is definitely worth the effort! Tips for success include holding the paper in place with your fingers to prevent shifting and making crisp, firm creases—keep these in mind as you fold.
If you make it for a dinosaur-loving child, they’re sure to be delighted.
Ankylosaurus
Ankylosaurus is a dinosaur with an armored-looking body and a distinctive tail.
Despite its tough appearance, it was a plant-eating dinosaur.
Let’s try making an ankylosaurus out of origami.
We’ll use three sheets of origami paper to create the legs, the head and tail, and the body separately.
The video explains the folding steps clearly and in order, so be sure to use it as a reference.
Finally, glue the three parts together and you’re done! The armor-like shell is faithfully recreated, and it looks really cool.
If your child likes origami, definitely give it a try.
Triceratops
How about folding a triceratops using two sheets of origami paper? Triceratops are herbivorous dinosaurs known for their three distinctive horns.
The frill around their head and neck is cute and charming, making them one of the most popular dinosaurs! Use the first sheet to fold the head, and the second sheet to fold the body and legs.
Finally, tuck the body into the head to finish! If the standard size origami feels difficult, try using slightly larger paper.
Give it a try!
Stegosaurus
Why not try making a Stegosaurus—the dinosaur with distinctive jagged plates on its back—out of origami? The video uses 24×24 cm origami paper, but the design is simple enough that 15×15 cm works just fine.
Although the difficulty level is on the lower side, it faithfully reproduces the Stegosaurus’s signature jagged back, making it well worth making! With its classic “dinosaur” look, kids are sure to love it too.
Be sure to check out the video and give it a try.
Therizinosaurus
The therizinosaurus is a dinosaur known for its sharp, long claws.
It’s still unclear exactly what those claws were used for, but they look powerful and undeniably cool.
While it may not be one of the classic fan favorites, there are probably many people who secretly love this dinosaur.
This origami therizinosaurus perfectly recreates its impressive claws! If you’re a fan of therizinosaurus, this is an origami model you should try at least once.
You’ll use a large sheet of origami paper, but the claw section involves delicate work, so if your own nails are short, you might find it a bit tricky.
Velociraptor
Velociraptor is a small carnivorous dinosaur said to be one of the most intelligent of its kind.
In the Jurassic World series, there’s a Velociraptor named Blue.
This time, let’s make a Velociraptor out of origami.
You can make it with a standard-sized sheet of origami paper, and it turns out impressively detailed and cool.
If you fold it with gray paper and draw blue markings, you can probably recreate Blue.
Its mouth is open, so you can pretend it’s biting and play with it.