Did you know you could easily make your own envelope from a piece of paper? Yep, making origami envelopes is fun! We are showing them as a Christmas origami project, but envelopes are great to make for any occasion: party invitations, Valentine’s Day, Mothers Day, Fathers Day or any letter-writing day! Kids of all ages can make their own custom envelopes with a little folding practice.

Finished origami envelope: Image shows a DIY origami envelope craft with a Merry Christmas note inside and Christmas decorations outside. Kids Activities Blog
Let’s make a cute origami envelope for the holidays!

Traditional Origami Envelope for Kids

We are going to show you the steps to start with a flat piece of paper and fold it into an envelope you can mail or hand-deliver. This origami envelope project is one of our favorites because it is relatively simple and can be ultimately customized with different papers or decorations.

Related: More Easy Christmas origami

We also included a printable gift tag you can print and put in your DIY envelope.

This article contains affiliate links.

Supplies Needed for Origami Envelope

Related: Our favorite easy origami ideas

Folding Instructions For Origami Envelope

Step 1

Step 1 - How to Fold an Envelope (Origami Envelope) - start with a square piece of paper
Let’s start with a square sheet of paper.

With the side with the color of the square piece of paper you want showing facing down, fold opposing corners diagonally forming a center crease.

Step 1b - How to Fold an Envelope (Origami Envelope) - fold in half diagonally
Make a diagonal fold.

Step 2

Step 2 - How to Fold an Envelope (Origami Envelope) - fold down the top corner to the bottom fold
Then fold the top corner.

Fold top corner down to bottom edge.

Step 3

Step 3 - How to Fold an Envelope (Origami Envelope) - fold in one side of the triangle 1/3rd of the way
This craft is so easy to make.

Fold the right side of the triangle in, creasing about 1/3 of the way.

Step 4

Step 4 - How to Fold an Envelope (Origami Envelope) - fold in one side of the triangle 1/3rd of the way
Repeat the step on the other side.

Fold the left side of the triangle in, creasing about 1/3 of the way.

Step 5

Step 5 - How to Fold an Envelope (Origami Envelope) - fold the same flap back fo the corner is even with the outside
Can you believe that we’re almost done!

Fold the same flap back so the corner is even with the outside edge.

Step 6

Step 6 - How to Fold an Envelope (Origami Envelope) - flatten the small flap in middle of envelope
This is where you’ll “close” the envelope!

Open the small flap and squash fold midline to the center.

Step 7

Step 7 - How to Fold an Envelope (Origami Envelope) - fold the flap down
And that’s it!

For the last fold, fold down the top.

Step 8

The top folds into the pocket formed by the squash folded flap to form the finished envelope! Now just add a card!

Our Experience Folding an Envelope

We used a green/red origami paper which is perfect for the season, but Christmas wrapping paper or printer paper cut into a piece of square paper works great too.

If you use standard 6” square origami paper, a 2.5 x 2 inch card will fit in the envelope.

Related: Check out this easy origami craft!

Origami envelope craft - final result - Kids Activities Blog - made for Christmas envelope on gift
Don’t forget to download our free printable gift cards!

Download Free Origami Envelope Gift Cards

Printable Christmas Gift Cards

MORE CHRISTMAS ORIGAMI FOR KIDS

Yield: 1

Origami Envelope Craft

Origami Envelope Craft

Make your own origami envelope craft! Perfect for the holiday season.

Prep Time 5 minutes
Active Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Difficulty easy
Estimated Cost under $5

Materials

  • 1 square sheet of paper
  • 10 inch piece of string or ribbon
  • Scissors
  • Glue

Instructions

  1. With the side with the color of the square piece of paper you want showing facing down, fold opposing corners diagonally forming a center crease.
  2. Fold top corner down to bottom edge.
  3. Fold the right side of the triangle in, creasing about 1/3 of the way.
  4. Fold the left side of the triangle in, creasing about 1/3 of the way.
  5. Fold the same flap back so the corner is even with the outside edge.
  6. Open the small flap and squash fold midline to the center.
  7. For the last fold, fold down the top.
  8. The top folds into the pocket formed by the squash folded flap to form the finished envelope!
  9. Add a card!

Notes

We used a green/red origami paper which is perfect for the season, but Christmas wrapping paper or printer paper cut into a piece of square paper works great too.

If you use standard 6” square origami paper, a 2.5 x 2 inch card will fit in the envelope.

MORE CHRISTMAS CRAFTS FROM KIDS ACTIVITIES BLOG

Did you enjoy making this origami envelope for Christmas?



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