OrigamiSteps

How to Make an Origami Penguin

Published

Let’s start folding
Finished origami penguin, showing the shape made in this tutorial

This origami penguin uses a single square and a small reverse fold for its head. Two-color paper makes the belly easier to see, but plain printer paper, notebook paper, or a square sticky note works too. Begin with a larger square if reverse folds are new to you. Leave a little space between the first flaps so the body stays broad.

One fold at a time

Take your time. A neat crease makes the next fold easier.

  1. Step 1: Mark the body center

    origami penguin step 1: place the square as a diamond; fold the left corner to the right, crease, reopen, and turn over, hands visible

    Place the square as a diamond; fold the left corner to the right, crease, reopen, and turn over.

  2. Step 2: Shape the upper sides

    origami penguin step 2: fold both upper sloping edges inward, leaving a narrow gap between them instead of meeting at the center, hands visible

    Fold both upper sloping edges inward, leaving a narrow gap between them instead of meeting at the center.

  3. Step 3: Turn the body over

    origami penguin step 3: turn the paper over, keeping the long point at the top, hands visible

    Turn the paper over, keeping the long point at the top.

  4. Step 4: Taper the lower sides

    origami penguin step 4: fold the left and right side corners inward to make the body narrower below its shoulders, hands visible

    Fold the left and right side corners inward to make the body narrower below its shoulders.

  5. Step 5: Flatten the bottom

    origami penguin step 5: lift the bottom point to the lower ends of the side flaps and press the new base crease, hands visible

    Lift the bottom point to the lower ends of the side flaps and press the new base crease.

  6. Step 6: Close the body

    origami penguin step 6: fold the body in half along its center crease, keeping the broad belly visible outside, hands visible

    Fold the body in half along its center crease, keeping the broad belly visible outside.

  7. Step 7: Mark the head fold

    origami penguin step 7: fold the upper tip sideways to make a short head, crease in both directions, then reopen, hands visible

    Fold the upper tip sideways to make a short head, crease in both directions, then reopen.

  8. Step 8: Reverse the head

    origami penguin step 8: open the neck layers slightly, reverse the head outward along its crease, and close the body around it, hands visible

    Open the neck layers slightly, reverse the head outward along its crease, and close the body around it.

Try something else

More beginner folds for your next sheet.

Coming soon

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Coming soon

Not published yet

— steps · — min · —