Create a cute, 3-D-shaped origami turtle with these easy-to-follow instructions.
This model is great for practicing the swivel and pleat folds while still being accessible to beginners.
If you’re new to paper folding, have a look at our Beginner’s Guide, which will teach you all the basic folds and techniques.
Start with the white side up. Fold in half and unfold. Flip around.
Fold the edges to the center line. Flip around.
Fold to the center line, along one layer only. Make sure to not crease the flaps created in the previous step (see picture).
Fold up, aligning the bottom edge with the center line.
Fold the right flap down, aligning the point with the bottom edge.
Repeat on the left side.
Fold the top flap in half.
Fold the flap up, aligning the circled points.
Fold and unfold, aligning the side edges with the top edges.
Swivel fold towards the center, using the crease made in the previous step.
Pleat the bottom to create the tail. Flip the model around.
Pleat the tail and narrow the body.
Narrow the arms and legs.
🐢 Folding tip: Pleat the arms to shorten them and give more volume to your model.
The completed model.
🐢 Folding tip: You can also pleat the head to shorten it and give more volume to your model.
What did you think about this origami turtle? Let us know in the comments!
My origami journey began 17 years ago, evolving into a profound passion throughout the years. My proudest accomplishment has been contributing to a vibrant local origami scene at UC Berkeley’s CAL Origami Club, where I helped to host local conventions and co-founded a university-level origami design class, aiming to inspire creativity within students. For me, origami offers a sense of accomplishment as I transform a flat sheet into a three-dimensional artwork. Its beauty lies not just in its complexity and precision but in the community, a shared connection, and appreciation for the art form.
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