Today we’re diving into the world of traditional origami with a simple and adorable origami turtle tutorial. Perfect for young kids and adults alike, this craft is a great boredom buster that doesn’t require a lot of prep. So, let’s grab our square paper and make a lovely origami turtle!
Paper folding is so much fun! All you need is a square piece of origami paper or regular paper, and a little bit of patience!
Let’s get started!
Related: Learn how to make a cute Origami fox
Instructions:
Step 1:
Begin with a square piece of paper, ensuring the white side is facing up.
Step 2:
Fold the top right corner down to create a triangle.
Step 3:
Repeat the same fold on the left side.
Step 4:
Open up the previous folds and fold the upper side down to form a rectangle.
Step 5:
Undo the last fold, then fold the top right corner towards the center point.
Step 6:
Repeat the previous step on the top and bottom left corners.
Step 7:
Flip the paper over, with the long corner pointing downwards.
Step 8:
Fold the triangle up to the center crease.
Step 9:
Hold the paper up and push the left and right sides inwards, forming a single triangle shape.
Step 10:
Rotate the paper so that the top corner points downwards.
Step 11:
Take the top layer’s corner and fold it up to the top edge.
Step 12:
Repeat the previous step, but this time make sure the corner goes over the edge.
Step 13:
Undo the last fold, then fold the right corner to the top, crease, and undo the crease.
Step 14:
Fold the corner up as a triangle, then squash fold and flatten it.
Step 15:
Repeat the previous step on the left side.
Step 16:
On the right side, pull the middle flap upwards, pressing on the crease.
Step 17:
While maintaining the triangle shape, pull the same flap back between the layers, leaving a pointy section sticking out.
Step 18:
Repeat the last two steps, but now on the left side.
Step 19:
Fold the top flap on the right side upwards, then fold the tip downwards to create the turtle’s leg.
Step 20:
Repeat the previous step on the left side.
Step 21:
Flip the paper over.
Step 22:
Fold the right and left corners inwards.
Step 23:
Flip the figure over again and fold the top corner down. This will be our turtle’s head!
Step 24:
Flip the figure over and fold it down the middle.
Step 25:
You can draw a face on your origami turtle to bring it to life! Your origami turtle is ready to decorate your home!
Tips For You:
Experiment with different paper colors or add details like patterns or textures, so your origami turtle will truly be original! You can also use smaller squares of paper to create a family of turtles in different sizes – so adorable.
Active Time
15 minutes
Total Time
15 minutes
Difficulty
Medium
Estimated Cost
$1
Instructions
- Begin with a square piece of paper, ensuring the white side is facing up.
- Fold the top right corner down to create a triangle.
- Repeat the same fold on the left side.
- Open up the previous folds and fold the upper side down to form a rectangle.
- Undo the last fold, then fold the top right corner towards the center point.
- Repeat the previous step on the top and bottom left corners.
- Flip the paper over, with the long corner pointing downwards.
- Fold the triangle up to the center crease.
- Hold the paper up and push the left and right sides inwards, forming a single triangle shape.
- Rotate the paper so that the top corner points downwards.
- Take the top layer’s corner and fold it up to the top edge.
- Repeat the previous step, but this time make sure the corner goes over the edge.
- Undo the last fold, then fold the right corner to the top, crease, and undo the crease.
- Fold the corner up as a triangle, then squash fold and flatten it.
- Repeat the previous step on the left side.
- On the right side, pull the middle flap upwards, pressing on the crease.
- While maintaining the triangle shape, pull the same flap back between the layers, leaving a pointy section sticking out.
- Repeat the last two steps, but now on the left side.
- Fold the top flap on the right side upwards, then fold the tip downwards to create the turtle’s leg.
- Repeat the previous step on the left side.
- Flip the paper over.
- Fold the right and left corners inwards.
- Flip the figure over again and fold the top corner down. This will be our turtle’s head!
- Flip the figure over and fold it down the middle.
- You can draw a face on your origami turtle to bring it to life! Your origami turtle is ready to decorate your home!
Notes
Experiment with different paper colors or add details like patterns or textures, so your origami turtle will truly be original! You can also use smaller squares of paper to create a family of turtles in different sizes – so adorable.
Want more origami animals tutorials? We’ve got those and more!
Origami Tutorials From Kids Activities Blog
Did you enjoy making this origami turtle craft?
