Origami · folding only

Flat Penguin

Easy (level 2 of 5)
10 min
9 steps
Ages 5–9 (a guide, not a rule)

No scissors
No glue
No adult help needed

Start Making Print

Fold black paper so the white side becomes the penguin's tummy. Two side folds make the flippers, the top point becomes the head, and two little folds shape the head and the feet. Then draw the eyes and an orange beak on the white face.

Before you start

You need

Square of origami paper, black or dark on one side and white on the other, 150 x 150 mm (6 x 6 in). Any square from 15 to 20 cm (6 to 8 in) works. Dark blue or gray paper makes a fine penguin too.
Black marker for the eyes
Orange crayon or marker for the beak

Decorating (optional): Draw two eyes and an orange beak under the head, and add pink cheeks if you like.

No square of origami paper, black or dark on one side and white on the other? No dark origami paper? Color one side of a white square with a black or blue crayon first.

How to place the paper before the first step — **Your paper:** Put the square down like a diamond, with one corner pointing up and the white side facing up.

Valley fold: blue dashes. Fold toward you, like a valley.
Mountain fold: pink dash-dot. Fold away from you, like a mountain.
Crease: a thin gray line where you folded before.

Step by step

Each step shows what to do (left) and how it should look after (right).

Do this

Result

Step 1 of 9 Fold and unfold Fold the left corner over to the right corner, then open it again.
Do this

Result

Step 2 of 9 Fold and unfold Fold the top corner down to the bottom corner, then open it again. The creases cross in the middle.
Do this

Result

Step 3 of 9 Valley fold Fold the left side in from the top point, so the left corner moves about halfway to the middle crease.
Do this

Result

Step 4 of 9 Valley fold Fold the right side in the same way. These are the flippers.
Do this

Result

Step 5 of 9 Valley fold Fold the top point down to the middle, where the creases cross. This is the head.
Do this

Result

Step 6 of 9 Mountain fold Fold the tip of the head under, so the bottom of the head is straight.
Do this

Result

Step 7 of 9 Valley fold Fold the bottom point up a little to make the feet.
Do this

Result

Step 8 of 9 Mountain fold Fold the two side corners behind, just a little, to round the body.
Do this

Result

Step 9 of 9 Draw Draw two eyes and an orange beak on the white face under the head. Your penguin is ready!

A flat black and white origami penguin with a white tummy, black flippers, an orange beak and two eyes.

You made it!

Yours may look a little different. That is part of making things by hand.

Print the steps

If something goes wrong

The flippers cover the white tummy.

Fold each side in less, so each corner only moves about halfway to the middle crease.

The head is crooked.

Fold the top point exactly to where the two creases cross.

There is no room for the face.

Fold a little more of the head tip under, so more white shows below the head.

Helpful hints

Keep the two flippers the same size: check that both corners land the same distance from the middle crease.
Press every fold flat with your fingernail.

An original PlayOwl project.