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Make an Origami Dragon!

Make an Origami Dragon!
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Fold paper to create a colorful origami dragon, learning basic folds, following step by step instructions, and decorating scales with crayons or markers.

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Step-by-step guide to make an origami dragon

What you need
Adult supervision required, colouring materials such as markers or crayons, paper sheet (letter or a4), pencil, scissors

Step 1

Place a rectangular sheet of paper on the table with the long side facing you.

Step 2

Fold the paper back and forth into an accordion with narrow equal folds about 2 cm wide until the whole sheet is folded.

Step 3

Press each fold flat with your fingernail or the side of a ruler.

Step 4

Fold one short end into a small triangle to make the dragon’s head.

Step 5

Fold the tip of that triangle outward a little to form a mouth flap.

Step 6

Use scissors to cut small V shapes into the opposite short end to make tail spikes.

Step 7

Gently fan open the accordion so the dragon’s body puffs and looks ruffly.

Step 8

Use colouring materials to draw scales along each folded ridge of the body.

Step 9

Give your dragon a name out loud.

Step 10

Share your finished origami dragon on DIY.org.

Final steps

You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!

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Help!?

What can we use if we don't have the rectangular paper, ruler, or scissors called for in the instructions?

Use any rectangular printer, construction, or wrapping paper cut to size, press each fold flat with a book edge instead of a ruler, and replace scissors by carefully tearing small V shapes or using child-safe cutters for the tail spikes.

My accordion folds are uneven or the dragon won't fan open—how can I fix that?

Before folding, mark 2 cm intervals with a pencil or a folded scrap strip, press each crease firmly with your fingernail or the side of a ruler as instructed, and gently fan open the accordion to avoid tearing the body.

How can I adapt the activity for younger or older children?

For younger kids, make wider 3–4 cm folds and have an adult pre-cut the tail and pre-fold the accordion, while older kids can try narrower 1 cm folds, a sharper triangle head with a smaller mouth flap, and more detailed colouring along each ridge.

How can we extend or personalize our origami dragon beyond colouring and naming?

Glue on googly eyes or sequins, attach pipe-cleaner wings or legs to the folded ridges, write a short origin story for the dragon, and share a photo of your finished origami dragon on DIY.org.

Watch videos on how to make an origami dragon

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

Origami Dragon - slow, step by step tutorial

4 Videos

Facts about origami and paper folding

✂️ Traditional origami uses no cuts or glue — just folding — so your dragon is made from one sheet of paper!

🐉 Some origami dragon models can include wings, tails, and tiny claws — complicated ones can take dozens or even hundreds of folds!

🧾 The word "origami" comes from Japanese: "ori" (folding) + "kami" (paper).

🎨 Washi is traditional Japanese paper that’s strong and often beautifully patterned — ideal for colorful dragon scales.

🧑‍🎨 Akira Yoshizawa helped popularize modern origami and created diagram symbols that made learning new folds much easier.

How do I fold an origami dragon step by step?

Start with a square sheet of paper and follow step-by-step folds: make diagonal and horizontal crease lines, fold into a bird or fish base, form the head by small reverse folds, shape the tail by narrowing one end, create wings by folding and pleating the sides, and add scale pleats along the body. Use slow, precise folds and check diagrams or a video. Finish by decorating scales with crayons or markers.

What materials do I need to make a colorful origami dragon?

You need square origami paper in bright colors (6–8 inch works well). If you don’t have origami paper, cut regular paper into a square. Also gather crayons, markers, or colored pencils to decorate scales, plus a flat surface and optional straightedge for sharp creases. Scissors and glue are optional for added details, but basic folding needs only paper. Adult supervision is recommended when scissors are used.

What ages is making an origami dragon suitable for?

Origami dragons suit children about age 6 and up who can follow multi-step instructions and handle small folds. Younger children (4–5) can try simplified versions—basic dragon shapes or pre-creased templates—with adult guidance. Teens and adults enjoy more complex models. Always match difficulty to the child’s patience and fine-motor skills, and offer help for tricky reverse folds and tiny details.

What are the benefits of folding origami dragons for kids?

Folding origami dragons boosts fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and spatial reasoning as children practice precise creases and follow sequences. It encourages patience, problem-solving, and concentration, while decorating scales fosters creativity and color recognition. The activity also supports math concepts like symmetry and fractions. Working together builds communication and confidence. Short breaks and adult guidance help prevent frustration with challenging steps.
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