Make an Origami Squirrel!
Fold paper to create an origami squirrel, practicing precise folds, shaping a bushy tail and ears, then decorate it with markers or stickers.
About this activity
Fold paper to create an origami squirrel, practicing precise folds, shaping a bushy tail and ears, then decorate it with markers or stickers.
What you need
Step by step
- 1
Step 1
Place the square paper color side down on a flat table so the plain side faces up.
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Step 2
Fold the paper diagonally from one corner to the opposite corner to make a large triangle and crease the fold firmly.
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Step 3
Fold that triangle in half by bringing the two side points together to make a smaller triangle and crease it well.
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Step 4
Put the long edge of the small triangle closest to you with the point facing away and keep the top layer only for the next fold.
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Step 5
Fold the right corner of the top layer up and to the left about one-third of the way to form a small head flap and crease it.
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Step 6
Fold the tip of that head flap down a little to make one ear and crease the fold.
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Step 7
On the left long side make three or four small accordion pleats along the edge to build a bushy tail and press each crease tight.
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Step 8
Fan out the pleats so the tail spreads and looks fluffy.
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Step 9
Fold the bottom point up slightly to create a little base so the squirrel can stand.
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Step 10
Tuck the tail tip gently behind the body into the space made by the bottom fold to secure it.
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Step 11
Decorate your squirrel with colouring materials and stickers to add eyes a nose and fur patterns.
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Step 12
Share a photo of your finished origami squirrel on DIY.org
Fun facts
How do you fold an origami squirrel step by step?
To fold an origami squirrel, start with a square sheet and place it colored side down. Fold diagonally to make a triangle, crease and unfold. Fold both sides to the center to form a kite, then fold up the bottom tip to shape the head. Reverse-fold a corner to form ears; narrow one side of the body to form a bushy tail and fan the tail with small accordion folds. Finish by decorating with markers or stickers.
What materials do I need to make an origami squirrel?
You'll need square paper (origami paper or a square cut from printer paper), one sheet per squirrel. Also gather markers or colored pencils, stickers, and optional items like a bone folder or ruler for sharp creases, and tweezers for small folds. Scissors are optional if you need to cut a square or trim edges. Use non-toxic supplies and a flat workspace for best results.
What ages is an origami squirrel craft suitable for?
This activity suits children aged about six and up for simple folds; ages eight to twelve can usually complete the squirrel independently. Younger children (four to five) enjoy it with one-on-one help from an adult for tricky folds and shaping. Fine motor skills and attention matter more than age—adapt steps, simplify tail folds, or pre-crease lines for younger kids to keep it fun and achievable.
What are the benefits, safety tips, or fun variations for making origami squirrels?
Making origami squirrels builds fine motor skills, patience, spatial reasoning and following sequences, while encouraging creativity when decorating. It's a quiet, screen-free activity good for focus and confidence. Safety tips: use non-toxic markers, supervise any child using scissors, and avoid small stickers for toddlers. Variations include using patterned paper, making a family of squirrels in different sizes, turning the squirrel into a finger puppet or attaching an acorn cutout for storyte
Watch & Learn
Need help?
What can I use if I don't have square origami paper?
If you don't have square origami paper, trim a regular sheet of printer or construction paper into a square and place it color side down as the instructions require.
My accordion pleats for the tail keep unfolding or won't tuck—how can I fix that?
If the accordion pleats on the left side won't hold or won't tuck behind the body, press each pleat firmly with a fingernail or the edge of a ruler, make three slightly wider pleats instead of four if needed, and then tuck the tail tip into the space made by the bottom fold.
How should I change the steps for younger or older kids?
For toddlers (3–5), simplify by doing only the diagonal and head folds and making one or two large tail folds before letting them decorate, while older kids (8+) can add more small pleats, sharper creases, and detailed coloring to create realistic fur patterns.
How can we personalize or extend the origami squirrel activity?
To personalize the squirrel, add button eyes or a small pom-pom nose after the decorate step, draw fur patterns with markers, or make a family of squirrels from different-sized squares and mount them on a cardstock tree display.