Easy Origami Animals: Step-by-Step Instructions
On this page, you will find a hand-picked collection of origami animal tutorials, from very easy models to slightly more detailed ones. Each tutorial includes clear, step-by-step instructions, so you can follow along at your own pace, whether you are folding with kids or just getting started yourself.
All you need is a sheet of paper and a few quiet minutes. Pick an animal you like, take it one fold at a time, and enjoy watching it come to life in your hands.
How to use this page
Each tutorial includes clear diagrams, helpful photos, and easy-to-follow videos that guide you through every step. All you need is a square sheet of paper.
Although every model on this page is considered easy origami, we’ve organized them into six levels:
Super easy, perfect for kids and first-time adults.
Simple but with a few more steps.
Still beginner friendly, but requires a lot more steps.
Low-intermediate, ideal for beginners ready for a challenge.
If you want to explore even further, you can browse all tutorials using the advanced filter system in our Origami Index.
New to origami?
If this is your very first time folding, start with our Beginner’s Guide to Origami. It introduces the basic folds, symbols, and techniques you’ll see in our tutorials. Once you’re familiar with those, you’ll find every model on this page much easier to follow.
Our Most Popular Origami Animals
These are some of the origami animals people come back to again and again. They’re easy to fold, familiar, and a great place to start if you’re new to origami.
Designer: Traditional
Designer: Traditional
Designer: Traditional
Designer: Akira Yoshizawa
Designer: Shingu Fumiaki
Designer: Traditional
Designer: Traditional
Designer: Sébastien Limet
Designer: Oriol Esteve
Designer: Caleb Witte
Latest Origami Animals
We regularly add new animal models to this page. If you enjoy folding animals, it’s worth coming back from time to time to see what’s new.
Designer: Cekouat León
Designer: Sébastien Limet
Designer: Sébastien Limet
Designer: Nick Robinson
Designer: Oriol Esteve
Browse Origami by Categories
Origami Mammals
Mammals are some of the most familiar origami animals to fold, from small pets to larger wild animals. The tutorials here are mostly beginner-friendly and designed to be folded at a relaxed pace.
Designer: Sébastien Limet
Designer: Sébastien Limet
Designer: Nicolas Terry
Designer: Traditional
Designer: Kunihiko Kasahara
Designer: Kunihiko Kasahara
Designer: Traditional
Designer: Francesco Mancini
Designer: Unknown
Designer: Adriano Mariani
Designer: Adriano Mariani
Designer: Traditional
Designer: Unknown
Designer: Traditional
Designer: Sébastien Limet
Early Access for Origami Friends
By supporting us on Patreon, you get early access to new tutorial and diagrams before they are released on the site.
Designer: Nick Robinson
Designer: Cekouat León
Designer: Caleb Witte
Easy Origami Birds
Birds are some of the most iconic origami models, and often among the first people learn to fold. Cranes, owls, and swans are all simple to make and satisfying to fold. If you’ve never folded a bird before, this is a good place to start.
Designer: Traditional
Designer: Simon Andersen
Designer: Traditional
Designer: Traditional
Designer: Traditional
Designer: Traditional
Designer: Alice Gray
Designer: Traditional
Designer: Nicolas Terry
Designer: Traditional
Designer: Traditional
Designer: Traditional
Designer: Traditional
Designer: Traditional
Designer: Simon Andersen
Designer: Traditional
Join Our Community
From first-time folders to lifelong artists, 200,000 people visit Origami.me each month. Subscribe to our newsletter and get free diagrams, tips, and inspiration delivered to you.
*Unfold joy in your inbox. No spam, just origami.
Origami Fish and Sea Creatures
Fish and sea animals translate well into origami, often using simple folds and flowing shapes. The models here range from easy fish to dolphins and whales, and are well-suited for beginners.
Designer: Traditional
Designer: Traditional
Designer: Traditional
Designer: Traditional
Designer: Traditional
Designer: Riccardo Foschi
Designer: Nick Robinson
Designer: Traditional
Origami Arthropods
Arthropods like butterflies and spiders make interesting origami subjects, with delicate shapes and recognizable silhouettes. The models here are kept accessible, with clear folds and a steady pace.
Designer: Akira Yoshizawa
Designer: Traditional
Designer: Traditional
Designer: Battistina Genta
Prefer learning by video?
Slow down and enjoy an origami break!
Learn origami with easy, clear, step-by-step tutorials designed to make paper folding fun and accessible.
Join us for weekly origami videos with the talented Sébastien Limet and Jimena Candia.
Designer: Adriano Mariani
Designer: Adriano Mariani
Designer: Traditional
Designer: Toshie Takahama
Origami Animals FAQ
What Is the Easiest Origami Animal to Make?
The easiest models are those that use only simple folds without tricky reverse or squash folds. Great starting points include the traditional origami swan, cicada, and fox. They’re quick to fold, easy to remember, and a perfect introduction to origami animals.
What Is the Most Popular Origami Animal?
There is no single right answer, but after folding every origami animal on this page, a few models have really stood out for us. The Cat by Nicolas Terry, the Squirrel by Sébastien Limet, the Maneki Neko by Oriol Esteve and the Giraffe by Caleb Witte are some of our favorites, and also among the most popular with folders.
What Paper Should I Use to Make Origami Animals?
Standard origami paper, called Kami, works very well for the majority of beginner and easy models. It is thin, folds cleanly, and is easy to handle, even when a model has several layers.
Tant paper is a good alternative if you are looking for a different look and feel. It has color on both sides, a matte, non-glossy surface, and a subtle texture. Many folders like Tant for animal models because it feels more natural in the hand and works well for gentle shaping.
In short, kami is ideal for learning and everyday folding, while Tant is a nice option when you care more about color, texture, and a softer finish.
For very complex origami animals, folders often use thinner specialty papers, but those are not necessary for the models featured on this page.
What Is the Hardest Origami Animal to Fold?
Some origami animal models are incredibly challenging and usually take years of folding experience to tackle. One of the most famous examples is Ryujin 3.5 by Satoshi Kamiya, which many folders consider one of the hardest origami models ever made. Shuki Kato is also well known for designing extremely complex animal models.
In general, the more realistic and detailed the animal, the harder it is to fold.