[Kids] Let’s Make Origami! A Collection of Easy Goldfish Folding Methods
Goldfish swimming in the water, looking so comfortable.
You might often see goldfish scooping at festival stalls, and many people probably keep them at home too.
This time, we’ll introduce easy origami ideas for making these familiar goldfish together with children.
From flat folds to three-dimensional ones, goldfish seen from the side or from above—there are plenty of different folding ideas!
The finished goldfish look cute displayed on the wall as they are, and adding clear fishing line to hang them makes for a cool, charming decoration too.
They also look very stylish displayed in a goldfish bowl or a frame you can buy at a 100-yen shop.
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[Kids] Let's Make It with Origami! Easy Goldfish Folding Guide (1–10)
Puffy, three-dimensional goldfish
Let’s make a fun twist on the classic origami balloon! Here’s a puffy, three-dimensional goldfish idea.
All you need is one sheet of origami paper in your favorite color, a black pen, and a white pen.
It’s a unique, playful idea that makes the goldfish look adorably puffed up! Fold a balloon-like goldfish from a single sheet of paper, then use the black and white pens to draw the eyes and patterns.
It will look as if the goldfish has leapt right out of an aquarium.
This idea is sure to make anyone go “Whoa!” the moment they see the finished goldfish!
goldfish with a triangular tail fin
This goldfish is relatively easy to fold compared to other goldfish origami.
Because the shape is quite simple, drawing the eyes and scales might make it look more realistic.
To fold it, first make two diagonal folds along the corners.
Then fold the tip slightly, and fold it in half in the perpendicular direction to make a crease there.
Fold the triangular section at the bottom upward.
Finally, fold up the opposite edge from the head to form the tail along that line, and you’re done.
A goldfish with a large tail fin
Let’s make it with simple steps! Here’s an idea for a goldfish with a big tail fin.
All you need are one sheet of origami paper in your favorite color and some round stickers.
Since the materials are just one sheet of origami paper and round stickers, it’s an easy, casual way to make a goldfish.
The large tail fin design is unique, and using stickers for the eyes and patterns makes it even cuter.
There are no difficult steps, so you can enjoy it with children.
The finished goldfish is filled with your child’s hard work, and just looking at it will warm your heart.
[Kids] Let's Make Origami! Easy Goldfish Folding Guide (11–20)
Goldfish you can make in 3 minutes
When summer comes, you feel like folding a cool-looking goldfish out of origami, don’t you? This goldfish is simple and takes about three minutes to make, so please give it a try.
The folding method is very similar to the samurai helmet (kabuto).
Instead of folding the horn parts of the kabuto, imagine folding back the part that goes over the head in the opposite direction.
After that, rotate the origami 90 degrees and fold it back the other way, then cut open and spread out the tail section.
Be careful not to cut your hands when using scissors.
Finish by drawing a cute face.
plump goldfish
Here is a three-dimensional goldfish you can make from a single sheet of origami paper.
Because it has a 3D finish, there are quite a few steps where you create creases first and then assemble, but watching a goldfish take shape from a flat sheet makes an excellent way for children to develop spatial awareness.
It’s also nice to work through the tricky parts together with a parent or guardian.
Making goldfish in different colors or adding water plants to recreate a pond or fishbowl is fun, and it would look cute pasted onto a fan as well.
Goldfish with fluttering tail fins
This origami is a goldfish with fluttery, very glamorous tail fins.
It looks even cuter when combined with a heart-shaped origami, so be sure to make them as a set.
You’ll use two quarter-size pieces of origami paper to make the goldfish.
One piece is for the body, and the other is for the tail fin.
Once both are folded, glue them together.
For the eyes, use round stickers or similar.
After making the heart pocket, the back side of the goldfish can be inserted into the pocket—slide it in, and it’s complete.
Ranchu (a breed of fancy goldfish)
Among goldfish, the ranchu is especially gorgeous—let’s try folding one with origami.
First, fold the paper into a triangle along the diagonal twice.
Next, fold one corner toward the center.
Then flip it over, fold both sides along the middle, and fold the whole piece in half along the center.
After that, make a reverse fold at the tip.
Then make a few more reverse folds.
This part is a bit tricky, so if it’s difficult, please proceed together with a parent or guardian.
Red or orange paper will probably suit it best.