Do you have a little one obsessed with traditional origami? You’re in the right place! Today we’re learning how to fold traditional origami swan. This origami model is a relaxing craft for kids of all ages and adults alike.

Final result of an origami swan made with white origami paper on top of a blue background. tutorial from Kids activities blog
This simple origami swan helps kids with dexterity and hand-eye coordination.

With just a square piece of paper and a few simple folds, you’ll have your very own origami swan!

Instructions:

Step 1:

Start with a square piece of paper. Valley-fold diagonally from the left to the right side, then unfold.

Origami Swan - Step 1 - A square piece of paper over a blue background. Tutorial from Kids Activities Blog
Let’s get started!
Origami Swan - Step 1 - The piece of paper is folded diagonally from the left side to the right side. Tutorial from Kids Activities Blog
Folding away!
Origami Swan - Step 1 - Unfolded paper. Tutorial from Kids Activities Blog
Unfold to see the new crease.

Step 2:

Turn around the paper. Fold each bottom edge of the paper toward the center crease you made in step 1.

Origami Swan - Step 2 - Right bottom edge folded toward the center crease you made in step 1. Tutorial from Kids Activities Blog
Now fold the right side in.
Origami Swan - Step 2 - Left bottom edge folded toward the center crease you made in step 1. Tutorial from Kids Activities Blog
Repeat on the other side.

Step 3:

Your paper should now look like a kite. Turn the paper over.

Origami Swan - Step 3 - Paper turned over to the other side, looking like a kite. Tutorial from Kids Activities Blog
Turn it over again.

Step 4:

Valley-fold each side edge in toward the center again.

Origami Swan - Step 4 - Right side valley-folded in toward the center. Tutorial from Kids Activities Blog
Remember to keep the folds crisp.
Origami Swan - Step 4 - Left side valley-folded in toward the center. Tutorial from Kids Activities Blog
And do the same on the other side.

Step 5:

Valley-fold the bottom point upward to meet the top corner.

Origami Swan - Step 5 - Bottom point valley-folded upward to meet the top corner. Tutorial from Kids Activities Blog
Upward and onward!

Step 6:

Valley-fold the narrow point down as shown in the picture.

Origami Swan - Step 6 - Narrow point valley-folded down to make the swan's face. Tutorial from Kids Activities Blog
Fold the swan’s face down just like this.

Step 7:

Mountain fold the entire piece in half vertically.

Origami Swan - Step 7 - Entire piece is mountain folded in half vertically. Tutorial from Kids Activities Blog
Fold the swan in half vertically.

Step 8:

Pick up the swan and gently pull upward on the swan’s neck (firmly hold the tall section with your other hand), and crease along the base of the neck once the neck is pointing in the position you want. Creasing will help the long neck remain in its position.

Origami Swan - Step 8 - Origami swan with the neck pulled out over a bluek background. Tutorial from Kids Activities Blog
Here’s the neck of the swan. So cool!

Step 9:

Pull the head of the swan up slightly and crease to hold it in place.

Origami Swan - Step 9 - Origami swan with the beak pulled out as a last step. Tutorial from Kids Activities Blog
Almost done!

Step 10:

Extend the wings and hold them in your preferred position. Add some details if you want to, such as eyes. Your first origami swan is finished! 

Origami Swan - Step 10 - Finished origami swan over a blue background. Tutorial from Kids Activities Blog
Voila! We did it!

With just a little bit of practice and some square sheets, you can create multiple swans to decorate your room or give as gifts!

Yield: 1

Origami Swan

Final result of an origami swan made with white origami paper on top of a blue background. tutorial from Kids activities blog

Make your very own origami swan with our step-by-step tutorial!

Active Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Difficulty easy
Estimated Cost $2

Materials

  • One square piece of orgami paper or regular paper.

Instructions

    1. Start with a square piece of paper. Valley-fold diagonally from the left to the right side, then unfold.
      Origami Swan - Step 1 - A square piece of paper over a blue background. Tutorial from Kids Activities Blog
      Origami Swan - Step 1 - The piece of paper is folded diagonally from the left side to the right side. Tutorial from Kids Activities Blog
      Origami Swan - Step 1 - Unfolded paper. Tutorial from Kids Activities Blog
    2. Turn around the paper. Fold each bottom edge of the paper toward the center crease you made in step 1.
      Origami Swan - Step 2 - Right bottom edge folded toward the center crease you made in step 1. Tutorial from Kids Activities Blog
      Origami Swan - Step 2 - Left bottom edge folded toward the center crease you made in step 1. Tutorial from Kids Activities Blog
    3. Your paper should now look like a kite. Turn the paper over.
      Origami Swan - Step 3 - Paper turned over to the other side, looking like a kite. Tutorial from Kids Activities Blog
    4. Valley-fold each side edge in toward the center again.
      Origami Swan - Step 4 - Right side valley-folded in toward the center. Tutorial from Kids Activities Blog
      Origami Swan - Step 4 - Left side valley-folded in toward the center. Tutorial from Kids Activities Blog
    5. Valley-fold the bottom point upward to meet the top corner.
      Origami Swan - Step 5 - Bottom point valley-folded upward to meet the top corner. Tutorial from Kids Activities Blog
    6. Valley-fold the narrow point down as shown in the picture.
      Origami Swan - Step 6 - Narrow point valley-folded down to make the swan's face. Tutorial from Kids Activities Blog
    7. Mountain fold the entire piece in half vertically.
      Origami Swan - Step 7 - Entire piece is mountain folded in half vertically. Tutorial from Kids Activities Blog
    8. Pick up the swan and gently pull upward on the swan’s neck (firmly hold the tall section with your other hand), and crease along the base of the neck once the neck is pointing in the position you want. Creasing will help the long neck remain in its position.
      Origami Swan - Step 8 - Origami swan with the neck pulled out over a bluek background. Tutorial from Kids Activities Blog
    9. Pull the head of the swan up slightly and crease to hold it in place.
      Origami Swan - Step 9 - Origami swan with the beak pulled out as a last step. Tutorial from Kids Activities Blog
    10. Extend the wings and hold them in your preferred position. Add some details if you want to, such as eyes. Your first origami swan is finished! 
      Origami Swan - Step 10 - Finished origami swan over a blue background. Tutorial from Kids Activities Blog

More Origami Ideas From Kids Activities Blog

Did you have fun folding this origami swan?



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