Origami Koala Bookmark

Learn how to make a cute and simple origami koala bookmark in this easy step-by-step tutorial that’s perfect for all ages!

Origami Koala Bookmark

Square blue sheet of paper with diagonal fold lines next to two origami koalas, one brown and one blue, all on white background with brown border

Koalas are just such cute little animals. Their little faces and fuzzy bodies are irresistible! I love how this little guy hugs the pages of your book so you don’t lose a spot. He’s such a cute reading companion! 

Folding origami is great for fine motor skills, and this koala is not complicated! Even a beginner will find this project easy to follow. My kids were so excited to follow the steps and end up with something that really does look like a koala! 

Supplies

  • 2 sheets colored origami paper or light craft paper
  • Craft glue
  • Sharpie or other marker

How to Make an Origami Koala Bookmark

Blue origami koala placed over the corner of a book page, next to a brown origami koala on a lavender background.

Directions 

Square blue sheet of paper with diagonal fold lines on white background
  • Start with one sheet of square paper. Fold the paper in half diagonally, from both sides. Unfold the diagonal folds.
Square blue sheet of paper with diagonal, horizontal, and vertical fold lines on white background
  • Turn the paper over and fold it in half vertically and then horizontally. Unfold. 
Blue sheet of paper folded up into a star shape on white background
  • Push the horizontal and vertical creases inwards towards each other. This will form a 4-point star shape. 
Blue sheet of paper folded into a triangle on white background
  •  Flatten the pattern into a triangle. There will be two triangle flaps on each side. 
Blue paper triangle with the top point folded down to touch the center point of the bottom side
  • Fold the top point of the triangle down so that the point touches the bottom of the triangle. 
Blue folded paper triangle placed upside down so bottom folds are visible.
  • Keeping the half-fold intact; open the bottom-open side of the triangle
Blue paper with two points on each end and triangles in the middle on white background
  • Let’s work on any one side of the current pattern. Open the middle layer and try to align and flatten its open side.
Blue paper folded on white background
  • Flatten the open side of the middle layer neatly.
Blue sheet of paper folded into an origami shape on white background
  • Similarly, flatten the middle layer of the other side of the pattern.
Blue sheet of paper folded into an origami shape on white background
  • Fold the entire pattern in half, so that the two points on one short side of the shape align with the two points on the other short side. 
Blue sheet of paper folded into an origami shape to look like a koala body on white background
  • Hold the pattern so that the larger, right triangle is on the bottom. Fold the lower left corner of this triangle in. 
Blue sheet of paper folded into an origami shape on white background
  • Unfold this fold. 
Blue sheet of paper folded into an origami shape on white background
  • Now fold this same triangle backward, along the crease. This is the bottom side of the origami koala.
Blue sheet of paper folded into an origami shape on white background
  • Fold each of the remaining points to create small creases. These will be the arms and legs of the koala. 
Blue sheet of paper folded into an origami shape to look like a koala body on a white background
  • Unfold the small folds and then fold those inwards. This will give the legs and arms a finished look. Set aside. 
Square blue sheet of paper on white background
  • Take another square paper that is smaller than the previous one. It should be at least a cm smaller on all sides.
Square blue sheet of paper that has been folded in half vertically and horizontally and then unfolded on white background
  • Fold the sheet in half horizontally, then unfold and fold in half vertically. Unfold. 
Square blue sheet of paper with each corner folded into the center on white background
  • Bring all 4 corners of the square sheet to the center of the square. This will create 4 triangle flaps. 
Square blue sheet of paper with two corners folded to the center and the other two corners folded to the back of the paper on white background
  • Unfold two adjacent triangles and fold them backwards to the other side of the pattern. 
Blue sheet of paper folded into an origami shape on white background
  • Fold one side of the square inwards to align with the middle crease. Make sure to keep the point of the triangle pointed outward, not folded in. 
Blue sheet of paper folded into an origami shape on white background
  • Similarly, fold the other side of the pattern. 
Blue sheet of paper folded into an origami shape on white background
  • Notice the triangle shape at the bottom of the pattern. Fold the point of this triangle up until it meets the other folds.
Blue sheet of paper folded into an origami shape on white background
  • Fold the top point of the pattern down all the way to the bottom of the shape. 
Blue sheet of paper folded to look like the head of a koala, next to two small pink paper circles on white background
  • Turn the pattern over 
Blue sheets of paper folded to look like the head and body of a koala next to each other on white background. Koala head has eyes, nose, and mouth drawn on in black with two pink circles glued on as cheeks.
  • Glue the blush cutouts to the head and use a Sharpie to draw the eyes, nose, and mouth-line of the koala 
Completed blue origami koala bookmark on white background
  • Glue the head of the koala to the body pattern to complete the craft

Tips and Tricks

  • The best way to measure a smaller paper for the koala’s head is with a ruler. Measure one centimeter in from each side at the corners, and use the ruler to draw straight lines between your marks. Cut along the lines. 
  • If you are using paper that is patterned or colored on only one side, start with the pattern or color facing down. 
  • Glue the hand and feet folds into place so they don’t snag on anything! 
  • Follow the pictures closely to make sure your koala turns out right! 

More Ideas…

This craft is definitely for older kids who have better fine motor skills. But you can get all ages in on the fun with our Koala Paper Bag Puppet or this Koala Headband Craft!

Did you know that koalas are not actually bears? Try reading this fun book Don’t Call Me Bear! About a koala who is really tired of being categorized incorrectly!  

You can also give your koala another Australian friend by making this Kangaroo Bookmark

Whatever you do, don’t forget to share on social media @frostingandglue

Koala Origami Bookmark

Koala Origami Bookmark

Learn how to make a cute and simple origami koala bookmark in this easy step-by-step tutorial that's perfect for all ages!

Materials

  • 2 sheets colored origami paper or light craft paper
  • Craft glue
  • Sharpie or other marker

Instructions

Start with one sheet of square paper. Fold the paper in half diagonally, from both sides. Unfold the diagonal folds.

Turn the paper over and fold it in half vertically and then horizontally. Unfold. 

Push the horizontal and vertical creases inwards towards each other. This will form a 4-point star shape. 

 Flatten the pattern into a triangle. There will be two triangle flaps on each side. 

Fold the top point of the triangle down so that the point touches the bottom of the triangle. 

Keeping the half-fold intact; open the bottom-open side of the triangle

Let’s work on any one side of the current pattern. Open the middle layer and try to align and flatten its open side.

Flatten the open side of the middle layer neatly.

Similarly, flatten the middle layer of the other side of the pattern.

Fold the entire pattern in half, so that the two points on one short side of the shape align with the two points on the other short side. 

Hold the pattern so that the larger, right triangle is on the bottom. Fold the lower left corner of this triangle in. 

Unfold this fold. 

Now fold this same triangle backward, along the crease. This is the bottom side of the origami koala.

Fold each of the remaining points to create small creases. These will be the arms and legs of the koala. 

Unfold the small folds and then fold those inwards. This will give the legs and arms a finished look. Set aside. 

Take another square paper that is smaller than the previous one. It should be at least a cm smaller on all sides.

Fold the sheet in half horizontally, then unfold and fold in half vertically. Unfold. 

Bring all 4 corners of the square sheet to the center of the square. This will create 4 triangle flaps. 

Unfold two adjacent triangles and fold them backwards to the other side of the pattern. 

Fold one side of the square inwards to align with the middle crease. Make sure to keep the point of the triangle pointed outward, not folded in. 

Similarly, fold the other side of the pattern. 

Notice the triangle shape at the bottom of the pattern. Fold the point of this triangle up until it meets the other folds.

Fold the top point of the pattern down all the way to the bottom of the shape. 

Turn the pattern over 

Glue the blush cutouts to the head and use a Sharpie to draw the eyes, nose, and mouth-line of the koala 

Glue the head of the koala to the body pattern to complete the craft

Notes

The best way to measure a smaller paper for the koala’s head is with a ruler. Measure one centimeter in from each side at the corners, and use the ruler to draw straight lines between your marks. Cut along the lines. 

If you are using paper that is patterned or colored on only one side, start with the pattern or color facing down. 

Glue the hand and feet folds into place so they don’t snag on anything! 

Follow the pictures closely to make sure your koala turns out right! 

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