Simple origami that can be folded from a single sheet
Origami is a type of recreation that people of all ages—from young children to seniors—can enjoy together, and it’s fun whether you’re in a group or on your own.
You may not remember the very first origami you folded as a child, but in this article we’ll introduce ideas that are easy to fold and can be made with just one sheet of paper.
No cutting or gluing needed—these are all simple designs that you can complete with a single sheet of origami paper.
They’re perfect for kids trying origami for the first time, and also great as a warm-up for anyone who hasn’t folded in a while!
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Simple one-sheet origami (21–30)
mushroom
Let’s make a cute mushroom out of a single sheet of origami—just like one you’d see in a picture book! First, crease along the diagonal, then fold two adjacent corners in to meet at the center.
Fold the bottom edge up toward the central crease and flip the paper over.
Next, fold the left and right edges in to align with the center line.
Make a squash fold to create the separation between the cap and the stem.
Open the pocketed section slightly and slim down the stem as you shape it, then fold the corners to round the edges—and you’re done.
If you add patterns to the cap with a pen or stickers, it’ll look even cuter!
rabbit
Let’s make a cute rabbit with origami! Fold the origami paper into a triangle, then fold up the bottom edge about 2 centimeters.
Fold the left and right corners up to meet, then tuck the tip diagonally inward to shape the rabbit’s ears.
Next, fold the left, right, and bottom corners inward to round out the rabbit’s face—and you’re done! Flip the origami over and draw the eyes and nose to finish it cutely.
It’s a great idea not only for children just starting origami, but also for projects or wall displays in April or September.
Simple origami you can fold with a single sheet (31–40)
randoseru (Japanese elementary school backpack)
With just one sheet of origami paper, you can make a three-dimensional randoseru (Japanese school backpack)! First, crease the paper to divide it vertically into four equal sections, then cut off the outermost quarter.
Fold this cut-off piece to make the backpack flap.
Next, cut a portion from the remaining three-quarters to create the shoulder straps.
Attach the straps and the flap to the rectangular bag-shaped body made from the remaining section, and your tiny randoseru is complete.
Pair it with a backpack cover made from a different origami sheet for an even cuter finish.
Give it a try!
dog
Here’s a cute floppy-eared dog craft I recommend for anyone who loves pups! First, fold the origami paper in half twice into a square to make a cross-shaped crease, then unfold.
Fold the top section down so its edge lines up halfway between the top edge and the horizontal center crease, and fold the top left and right corners in to meet the horizontal center line.
Flip the paper over, fold the left and right edges in to meet the vertical center line, then fold the bottom edge up.
Turn it back to the front and you’ll see the dog’s ears and face—tuck the corners inward and adjust the shape to finish!
poop
For some reason, kids love poop…
While it can be a bit awkward when they keep saying the word, if they find out they can easily make one with origami, they’ll probably be thrilled, right? Here’s how: after folding into a triangle, fold the two sides along the crease, then fold the white triangular part and tuck it inside.
Next, keep folding so it looks layered, and finish by folding the corners slightly to round it out.
Done! It looks pretty realistic, doesn’t it? (lol) If you make them in different colors and line them up, they turn out surprisingly cute—give it a try!
gun
Let’s try making a cool gun out of a single sheet of origami paper! First, fold it into a triangle twice to make crease lines.
Open it up, then fold the top and bottom toward the center.
Fold upward toward the center once more.
Bring the right and left sides together and fold to make it half.
Open it slightly and return it, then fold toward the center line.
From here, you’ll be flipping it over and doing some detailed steps, but as it gradually takes the shape of a gun, it’s exciting to make! It also looks cool to make them in different sizes and line them up for display!
envelope
You need an envelope but don’t have one on hand? Here’s a handy idea: make an envelope out of origami paper.
First, fold the paper into a triangle.
Then fold the left and right corners inward so they align with the base.
Make sure the corners overlap slightly at the center, and tuck one corner into the other.
If you’re worried it might come undone, secure it with glue or tape.
Next, fold down the top corner so the paper forms a rectangle, and tuck the front flap inside.
Your envelope is complete! Use your favorite origami paper to create your ideal envelope.