Easy Origami for Kids

If you’re looking for easy origami projects for kids, you’re in the right place.

These simple models are ordered by difficulty, so you can start with the easiest folds and move on when your child feels ready.

Each model comes with clear, step-by-step instructions, with diagrams and videos. You can sit down and start folding together without stress, even if it’s your first time.

Origami is a fun, screen-free craft. Kids love it, and parents often enjoy it just as much. It’s a simple way to slow down and make something with your hands.

Our models also have printable instructions, so you can fold anytime, even without a screen.

Ages 5+ (Start Here)

If your child is just starting, this is a great place to begin. These models are simple, quick, and easy to follow, perfect for building confidence. You can also try these with younger kids, with a little help from you.

easy origami fish

Origami Fish

Designer: Traditional

Difficulty: Very Easy

easy origami fox

Origami Fox

Designer: Shingu Fumiaki

Difficulty: Very Easy

easy origami cat face

Origami Cat Face

Designer: Traditional

Difficulty: Very Easy

very easy origami bookmark

Origami Bookmark

Designer: Nick Robinson

Difficulty: Very Easy

easy origami cup

Origami Cup

Designer: Traditional

Difficulty: Very Easy

easy paper fortune teller

Origami Fortune Teller

Designer: Traditional

Difficulty: Very Easy

easy origami cicada

Origami Cicada

Designer: Traditional

Difficulty: Very Easy

easy origami easter egg

Origami Egg

Designer: Unknown

Difficulty: Very Easy

easy origami swan

Origami Swan

Designer: Traditional

Difficulty: Very Easy

easy origami pigeon

Origami Pigeon

Designer: Traditional

Difficulty: Very Easy

easy origami Christmas tree

Origami Christmas Tree

Designer: Traditional

Difficulty: Very Easy

easy origami angel

Origami Angel

Designer: Nick Robinson

Difficulty: Very Easy

easy origami elephant

Origami Elephant

Designer: Kunihiko Kasahara

Difficulty: Very Easy

easy origami penguin

Origami Penguin

Designer: Traditional

Difficulty: Very Easy

easy origami duck

Origami Duck

Designer: Traditional

Difficulty: Very Easy

If your child feels comfortable with these models, you can move on to the next section, even at a young age. In Japan, many kids learn to fold their first origami crane in kindergarten.

Ages 8+

Once they feel confident, little folders can move on to models with more folds, new shapes, and fun challenges.

easy origami angelfish

Origami Angelfish

Designer: Traditional

Difficulty: Easy

easy origami butterfly

Origami 3D Butterfly

Designer: Akira Yoshizawa

Difficulty: Easy

easy origami heart

Origami Heart

Designer: Unknown

Difficulty: Easy

easy origami ninja star

Origami Ninja Star

Designer: Traditional

Difficulty: Easy

very easy origami boat

Origami Boat

Designer: Traditional

Difficulty: Easy

easy origami cube

Origami Cube

Designer: Mitsunobu Sonobe

Difficulty: Easy

easy origami 5-pointed star

Origami 5-Pointed Star

Designer: Nick Robinson

Difficulty: Easy

easy origami dog

Origami Dog

Designer: Kunihiko Kasahara

Difficulty: Easy

easy origami fan

Origami Fan

Designer: Traditional

Difficulty: Easy

easy origami witch hat

Origami Witch Hat

Designer: Francesco Mancini

Difficulty: Easy

easy origami whale

Origami Whale

Designer: Traditional

Difficulty: Easy

easy origami parrot

Origami Parrot

Designer: Traditional

Difficulty: Easy

origami floral swirls

Origami Floral Swirls

Designer: Madhura Gupta

Difficulty: Easy

easy origami shirt

Origami Shirt

Designer: Traditional

Difficulty: Easy

easy origami necktie

Origami Necktie

Designer: Traditional

Difficulty: Easy

origami samurai helmet

Origami Samurai Helmet

Designer: Traditional

Difficulty: Easy

easy origami goldfish

Origami Goldfish

Designer: Traditional

Difficulty: Easy

easy origami waterbomb

Origami Water Bomb

Designer: Traditional

Difficulty: Easy

easy origami leaf

Origami Leaf

Designer: Traditional

Difficulty: Easy

easy origami heart card

Origami Heart Card

Designer: Nick Robinson

Difficulty: Easy

easy origami jack-o-lantern

Origami Jack-O’-Lantern

Designer: Nicolas Terry

Difficulty: Easy

easy origami vampire mouth

Origami Vampire Mouth

Designer: Francesco Mancini

Difficulty: Easy

easy origami santa

Origami Santa

Designer: Nick Robinson

Difficulty: Easy

origami santa hat

Origami Santa Hat

Designer: Unknown

Difficulty: Easy

easy origami horse

Origami Horse

Designer: Traditional

Difficulty: Easy

easy origami panda

Origami Panda

Designer: Adriano Mariani

Difficulty: Easy

easy origami rose

Origami Rose

Designer: Traditional

Difficulty: Easy

easy origami eagle

Origami Eagle

Designer: Nicolas Terry

Difficulty: Easy

easy origami bird

Origami Flapping Bird

Designer: Traditional

Difficulty: Easy

Age 10+

We add new easy origami tutorials all the time. Check back soon and bookmark this page!

easy origami bat

Origami Bat

Designer: Sébastien Limet

Difficulty: Easy

easy origami frog

Origami Frog

Designer: Traditional

Difficulty: Easy

easy origami box

Origami Box

Designer: Traditional

Difficulty: Easy

easy origami butterfly

Origami Butterfly

Designer: Traditional

Difficulty: Easy

easy origami crane

Origami Crane

Designer: Traditional

Difficulty: Easy

easy origami star

Origami Star

Designer: Traditional

Difficulty: Easy

easy origami turtle

Origami Turtle

Designer: Traditional

Difficulty: Easy

easy origami squirrel

Origami Squirrel

Designer: Sébastien Limet

Difficulty: Easy

easy origami rabbit

Origami Rabbit

Designer: Akira Yoshizawa

Difficulty: Easy

easy origami balloon rabbit

Origami Balloon Rabbit

Designer: Traditional

Difficulty: Easy

easy origami chick

Origami Basket Chick

Designer: Simon Andersen

Difficulty: Easy

easy origami chicken

Origami Chicken

Designer: Traditional

Difficulty: Easy

easy origami camellia

Origami Camellia

Designer: Traditional

Difficulty: Easy

easy origami tulip

Origami Tulip

Designer: Traditional

Difficulty: Easy

easy origami lotus

Origami Lotus

Designer: Traditional

Difficulty: Easy

easy origami lily

Origami Lily

Designer: Traditional

Difficulty: Easy

easy origami iris

Origami Iris

Designer: Traditional

Difficulty: Easy

easy origami seal

Origami Sea Lion

Designer: Traditional

Difficulty: Easy

easy origami pig

Origami Pig

Designer: Adriano Mariani

Difficulty: Easy

easy origami kitten

Origami Kitten

Designer: Francesco Mancini

Difficulty: Easy

easy origami crow

Origami Crow

Designer: Traditional

Difficulty: Easy

easy origami dolphin

Origami Dolphin

Designer: Traditional

Difficulty: Easy

easy origami dove

Origami Dove

Designer: Alice Gray

Difficulty: Easy

easy origami hummingbird

Origami Hummingbird

Designer: Cekouat León

Difficulty: Easy

easy origami owl

Origami Owl

Designer: Traditional

Difficulty: Easy

easy origami sparrow

Origami Sparrow

Designer: Simon Andersen

Difficulty: Easy

easy origami swallow

Origami Swallow

Designer: Traditional

Difficulty: Easy

easy origami heart card

Origami Heart Card

Designer: Francis Ow

Difficulty: Easy

easy origami heart corner bookmark

Origami Heart Corner Bookmark

Designer: Francis Ow

Difficulty: Easy

easy origami heart bookmark

Origami Heart Bookmark

Designer: Francis Ow

Difficulty: Easy

easy origami witch hat bookmark

Origami Witch Hat Bookmark

Designer: Francesco Mancini

Difficulty: Easy

easy origami styracosaurus

Origami Styracosaurus

Designer: Nick Robinson

Difficulty: Easy

easy origami dragon

Origami Dragon

Designer: Sébastien Limet

Difficulty: Challenging Easy

easy origami snake

Origami Snake

Designer: Oriol Esteve

Difficulty: Challenging Easy

easy origami crocodile

Origami Mr Crocodile

Designer: Adriano Mariani

Difficulty: Challenging Easy

easy origami skull

Origami Skull

Designer: Sébastien Limet

Difficulty: Challenging Easy

easy origami giraffe

Origami Giraffe

Designer: Caleb Witte

Difficulty: Challenging Easy

Origami for Kids FAQ

You can start very early. I began folding with my child when he was 2. Between ages 2 and 4, kids can understand simple folds and start exploring. At this stage, they will need your help. From age 5, most kids can fold more neatly and with more patience. They can follow simple instructions, but may still need help with diagrams and harder steps. Like anything, we learn one fold at a time.

The best choice for beginners is kami—lightweight, crisp, and inexpensive paper made specifically for origami. It holds creases well and is perfect for traditional and simple models. You can also use printer paper or construction paper cut into a square, but since they’re thicker and more prone to tearing, they’re only suitable for the easiest folds. You can find our origami paper recommendations here.

No tools are required, just a sheet of square paper. Some folders like to use a craft mat or a bone folder to sharpen creases, but they’re optional.

Once you’re comfortable with easy origami, try our intermediate origami tutorials. These projects add more detail and technique, helping you grow your folding skills.

If you’d like to explore more, browse our easy origami tutorials and discover new techniques or more advanced projects.