Animal Origami: A step-by-step guide to creating a whole world of paper models!

Getting Started

The paper used in origami is thin but strong, so that it can be folded many times. You can use ordinary scrap paper, as long as it’s not too thick.

A lot of the origami models in this book are made with the same folds. This introduction explains some of the ones that will appear most, so it’s a good idea to master these folds before you start. When making the projects, follow the key below to find out what the lines and arrows mean. And always crease well!

KEY

These symbols will help you to create the models in this book.

valley fold

mountain fold

step fold (valley and mountain fold next to each other)

direction to move paper

direction to push or pull

turn the paper over

direction to rotate paper

cut along this line

MOUNTAIN FOLD

To make a mountain fold, fold the paper so that the crease is pointing up toward you, like a mountain.

VALLEY FOLD

To make a valley fold, fold the paper the other way, so that the crease is pointing away from you, like a valley.

STEP FOLD

A step fold is used to make a step or zigzag in the paper. We’ll use it to make ears, tails, and other animal features.

1. Valley fold the paper in half. Then make a mountain fold directly above the valley fold.

2. Push the mountain fold over the valley fold and press down flat.

3. You now have a step fold. You can also make it in reverse, with the mountain fold first.

INSIDE REVERSE FOLD

This is useful if you want to flatten part of an origami model. It’s a good way to create tails and noses for your animals.

1. Fold a piece of paper diagonally in half. Make a valley fold on one point and crease.

2. It’s important to make sure that the paper is creased well. Run your finger over the crease two or three times.

3. Unfold and open up the corner slightly. Refold the crease you just made into a mountain fold.

4. Open up the paper a little more and then tuck the tip of the point inside. Close the paper. This is the view from the underside of the paper.

5. Flatten the paper. You now have an inside reverse fold.

OUTSIDE REVERSE FOLD

This is great if you want to make part of your model stick out. It will come in handy for making paws and ears.

1. Fold a piece of paper diagonally in half. Make a valley fold on one point and crease.

2. It’s important to make sure that the paper is creased well. Run your finger over the crease two or three times.

3. Unfold and open up the corner slightly. Refold the crease you just made into a valley fold.

4. Open up the paper a little more and start to turn the corner inside out. Then close the paper when the fold begins to turn.

5. You now have an outside reverse fold. You can either flatten the paper or leave it rounded out.

On Safari

Take a trip to the African savannah with these incredible safari animals!

Lion

Monkey

Elephant

Giraffe

Rhino

Elephant

Elephants are the largest animals on land. Here’s how to fold a little, paper version!

1. Place your paper white side up with a corner facing you. Valley fold it in half from right to left, then unfold.

2. Make a diagonal fold a third of the way between the top left edge and the central crease.

3. Repeat step 2 on the right-hand side.

4. Fold the paper in half from right to left.

5. Rotate your paper 45° to the left, so the short