You can make a randoseru with origami! A collection of easy folding ideas
Did you know you can make a school backpack (randoseru) out of origami? Miniature randoseru are adorable for decorating during the school entrance season or as a little add-on to a small gift.
However, when it comes to three-dimensional pieces, many people may feel that the folding looks difficult.
In this article, we’ll introduce easy ways to make a randoseru with origami.
These are projects you’ll want to show someone—perfect to enjoy with your child or even to use as simple interior décor.
Give it a try and have fun!
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You can make a randoseru with origami! A collection of easy folding ideas (1–10)
Diagonally oriented flat randoseruNEW!
Many origami backpack (randoseru) designs are shown from the front, right? If that feels a bit ordinary, how about this version viewed from a diagonal angle.
Fold a half-size sheet of origami in half and glue it.
Then fold the top edge downward at a point 1.5 cm from the bottom.
Next, fold the top-left corner of the paper diagonally toward the back, and fold the remaining corners into triangles to form the backpack body.
Attach parts for the front fastening strap and shoulder straps, and finish by adding patterns with stickers or a pen.
If you fold the diagonal corner to the right instead, you can make a backpack at the opposite angle.
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.
How to Fold the One-Piece RandoseruNEW!
This three-dimensional randoseru even has properly attached shoulder straps and a flap.
Believe it or not, it’s made from a single sheet of origami paper.
What’s more, it’s created using only slits—without cutting any parts off.
About half of the process involves making creases.
Because it requires very fine folding, it’s a piece geared toward adults who enjoy crafting small items.
Proceed while checking carefully so you don’t make mistakes with the areas to be slit.
The shoulder straps in particular require delicate work, so be careful not to apply too much force and tear the paper.
You can make a randoseru with origami! A collection of simple folding ideas (11–20)
How to fold a school backpack that can also be used as a money envelope (pochibukuro)NEW!
Although it’s a flat piece, when you open the flap it becomes a pocket, so you can tuck in a small gift.
It’s very easy to make, so it’s perfect for parent–child origami time.
You’ll use three 15 cm sheets of origami paper and one 15 cm × 7.5 cm sheet.
First, use two 15 cm sheets to make the body and the flap.
They start with the same steps: fold the paper in half to crease it, then fold the top and bottom edges to meet the crease.
Next, fold it in half by bringing the left and right edges together to make another crease.
On one of them, make a wrap fold of about 5 mm along the right edge, then insert it into the body as the flap.
Fold the remaining sheet in thirds and paste it inside to secure the body and flap; attach a thinly folded shoulder strap, and you’re done!
A school backpack made of paper packagingNEW!
You’ve probably seen snacks in plastic-free paper packages lately.
If your favorite package has switched to paper, why not use it to make a randoseru (Japanese school backpack)? From the package, cut out two squares, one half-size piece, and one quarter-size piece that’s then cut in half.
Use the square sheets to make the backpack body.
If you can fold the upper body of the traditional “yakko-san” model, you can finish this on your own.
Use the half-size piece for the flap, and use the remaining piece to make two shoulder straps.
Those just require folding in half and making narrow folds, so they’re easy!
Cute for display! Flat randoseruNEW!
Cut off one quarter of the origami paper into a strip, and use the remaining part to make the main body of the school backpack.
Place the paper so the creases run vertically, then fold along the crease to fold in the remaining edge on the left where you cut.
Next, fold the paper in half top to bottom to make a new crease.
Open it, then pinch the center crease in the folded section and fold it to align with the left edge.
You should see a diagonal line pop up on top—fold that upward 2.5 cm from the base.
Then align the right edge with the opposite edge and squash the raised section into a square.
Lift the square and fold the colored section underneath along the vertical right angle so the white side shows, then flip the paper over and fold up the bottom edge.
Finally, tuck in the corners to shape it, and the main body is done! Use the quarter-size strip you cut off to make the shoulder straps and attach them.
In conclusion
We introduced an easy way to fold a school backpack (randoseru) with origami.
With a few small touches, it can look just like the real thing, so be sure to use your favorite colors or patterned origami paper to create a one-of-a-kind backpack.
Enjoy the unique warmth of origami to the fullest—perfect both as a decoration and as a gift.