31 Cool Origami Projects for All Ages: A Beginner’s Guide
Origami is a timeless craft, and with our curated guideline, you should confidently get beautiful, intricate designs out. Our wish has been that even the complete beginner in paper folding or an experienced enthusiast of origami will find our instructions clear, accurate, and easy to follow.
OK, so what are some really cool origami projects for both kids and adults? There is a wide variety of engaging origami projects that range from simple designs like hearts and cranes to the more complex ones such as the Kusudama and the Ninja Star. This guide covers them all and even the practical things such as boxes along with the comprehensive instructions.
Keep reading—31 origami projects, from the classics you grew up with to seasonal and decorative settings, within these pages. Read on for fun and creativity for all skill levels.
31 cool origami tutorials
Ninja Star
It is one of those amusing and engaging projects, where with only two pieces of paper, you fold them into a sharp, star-shaped design. This one involves some precision and maybe patience, but as a result, you get a show-stopper display piece or toy.
Accordion Origami Box
Accordion Box is an enjoyable and expandable project that is suitable for keeping small belongings. It is playful and functional in design, handy for gifting and organizing.
Triangular Pocket Blind Bag
It is just a little triangle pouch, very suitable for tiny things such as jewelry or candies, or leaving a note. Perfect for the origami beginner, easy to fold functional and decorative.
Lucky Star
The lucky star is one of the simplest and most enjoyable projects that any beginner can engage in. You can make them by the dozens and use them as decorations or gift fillers, or even just keep them as charms of luck. Very easy to make, so you can really churn them out!
Crane
The crane is really a signature design for origami, symbolizing peace and longevity. This is a bit more advanced, but anyone looking to up their paper-folding game and create a beautiful decoration really ought to take on this project.
Masu Box
Just one step above the basic origami box, the Masu box is more functional because it is good for holding small things like jewelry or office supplies. A versatile project that can also be personalized further with the use of different paper patterns or colors.
Square Box
You would easily derive the obvious practical uses out of an origami square box: to put your trinkets, candies, or small craft supplies in. But it is rather strong, though configurable; it is useful and decorative at the same time.
Origami Bracelet
This wearable origami project is a fun and creative way of making your accessories. There are different patterns and colors, which can make this bracelet a great gift or wearable fashion statement.
Handbag
A fun project for both kids and adults, this is useful for wrapping small presents or just as a storage container with style. Size of paper can be changed to have different sizes.
School Bag
Make an adorable little school bag just like a miniature backpack! Kids will appreciate this design so much, either as a decoration for their things, container for little items, or even as a display on the table and in the room.
Moon
The moon design is a celestial great, light-hearted project that will bring a touch of whimsy to your origami collection. Fold up a crescent moon in just a few folds; you can use this as a decoration in your decorations or in a scene.
Twin Love Bookmark
This is a double love bookmark: beautiful and useful, gifted or attached to a favorite book, it bears personal emotional attachment. It’s a simple design with a heartfelt message embedded within the folds.
Bookmark
An easy, but very useful project, an origami bookmark is ideal for those who love books. Try different patterns or colors of paper for your personalized look and enjoy keeping your place in style.
Simple heart
The simple heart is one of the easiest but also very rewarding projects for origami; this design either stands alone or is great as a card, decoration, or gift tag.
Mushroom
This charming little mushroom animates and becomes a part of an origami collection. The project on making them is a versatile and fun one, perfect for kids’ crafts, dioramas, or seasonal decorations.
Beating Heart
The beating heart is an interactive design of origami that imitates a pulsation. This is a great design for conveying feelings through creativity, so it is ideal for Valentine’s Day or any other special occasion.
Water Lily
Create a beautiful water lily with just a few, well-placed, folds. The gentle design is great to use as a table decoration, or to add it to another project such as a greeting card.
Kusudama
Kusudama is a type of modular origami, an art object representing the unity of many small sub-units into one, usually three-dimensional, art shape. Anyway, it is just a bit more time-consuming and needs a little more patience; at the end, you can obtain a pretty decoration for any celebration or home decor.
Easter Egg
This Easter egg design is a confection of a holiday project, sweet for all ages. Use them to add a personal touch to Easter decorations or consider them as festive table décor.
Strawberry
This strawberry design is a fun, easy project that looks just like the real fruit. It’s a cute spring or summer craft and can be turned into a home or party setting decorative piece.
Whipped Cream
The whipped cream design adds a whimsical flare to your origami projects. Alone or as part of a larger food-themed craft, it’s easy and fun to make—and display.
Cup
It is utilitarian and fun. You can use it to carry a small number of things like paper clips or even as a decoration for parties and events.
Headhunter Airplane
An alternative way of designing a classic paper airplane, the headhunter design is ideal for both origami and flight fans. In this unique shape, the plane will soar in style.
Hat
This paper hat is such an enjoyable project that any adult or kid will love to indulge in. It suits all types of dress-up events or costume parties, and one can vary the size depending on the paper being used: bigger or smaller.
Envelope Box
This box is a compact, functional envelope box. Its envelope simplicity makes it be able to present small gifts, letters, or keepsakes in an attractive package and in a personal way.
Bear in Origami
This is a hit among children and animal lovers. With just a few folding tips, you can make this adorable little bear either as a gift or for decoration.
Dollar T-Shirt Knot
A fun and creative design that transforms a dollar bill into a mini t-shirt and tie. This is a unique project, good as a gift idea or party favor.
Boat
Origami boat design is very traditional, but it is a big favorite among children because it is a design that floats on water. It is quite an easy model to make and can be worked in any color and pattern.
3D Origami Star
This 3D star adds depth and dimension to your origami creations. Perfect for holiday decorations or a stand-alone decorative piece.
Candy Box
This can be designed to handle small treats or gifts. On the other hand, it is both decorative and functional—an extremely versatile addition to your origami project.
Origami Dresses
Origami dresses are both fun and complex, decorative by themselves or as part of another larger craft such as a card, invitation, and more. What’s more, it gives a creative way of putting your personal touch into the things you craft.
Conclusion
Origami is a fantastic hobby that offers endless possibilities for creativity and fun. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced folder, these 31 projects provide something for everyone. From simple designs like the heart or boat to more complex creations like the Kusudama or ninja star, origami is a rewarding activity that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. I hope you enjoy these tutorials as much as I enjoyed putting them together. Happy folding!
