What can you make with a single sheet of paper and no glue, scissors or anything else? Origami! This Origami Chicken is the perfect project for the origami novice. Most of the folds are very simple, and the pictures make it easy to follow the instructions.
Origami Chicken
Origami is an ancient art form that has spread around the world. Folding intricate figures is an acquired skill, but one nearly anyone can master! I love carrying around a pack of origami paper to pull out whenever we’re waiting somewhere or if we just need a few minutes of entertainment! All you need is a single sheet of paper and the possibilities are truly endless.
Although traditional origami projects don’t add any embellishments, this little guy is just so much cuter with an eye and a comb on top.
Supplies
- Colored origami paper or light construction paper
- Sharpie
- Craft glue
How to Fold an Origami Chicken
Directions
- Prepare a square paper. Fold the paper in half diagonally, unfold, and then fold diagonally from the other corner. Unfold the paper again.
- With the paper facing you so that the creases make an X, fold the upper two corners in until the points touch the center.
- Fold the lower two corners of the square into the center in the same manner.
- Fold all four corners of the current square into the center again.
- Unfold 2 opposite corners
- Fold this pattern in half along the long side, keeping the corner flaps on the outside.
- Hold the side flaps in place and fold out one of the open corners. Push the fold in the opposite direction so that you have a downward-pointing triangle.
- Fold out the side nicely and flatten it with the rest of the pattern.
- Similarly, fold out and flatten the other side. The current pattern should have 1 big triangle with two smaller triangles sticking out the bottom. The big triangle will be the chicken’s body. One of the small triangles is the head and the other is the tail-feather of the chicken.
- Fold one of the small triangles across the body of the chicken. This fold is done to have a neat crease line.
- Unfold the last fold.
- Use the crease you just made to fold the triangle the other direction. The point of the triangle should be visible to the side of the chicken. This is the beak.
- Fold the tip of the tail feather towards the back of the chicken. Trace and cut out a comb pattern and an eye. Attach the comb along the top of the head and glue the eye below the comb to complete the craft
Tips and Tricks
- After you are finished, add some glue in various places to keep the chicken’s shape intact
- Use a googly eye or draw one on
- Written instructions for origami are hard to follow. Make sure you pay careful attention to the pictures!
- If you use a patterned paper, start step one with the blank side facing up
- Origami can be very tricky for younger kids. Make sure to stay close by to help out!
More Ideas…
Learn more about the history of origami at the Origami Resource Center online. Learn more about chickens with Where Do Chicks Come From?
If your kids are begging for more bird crafts, try our Handprint Flamingo or this fun Turkey made from a paper plate!
Whatever you decide to do, don’t forget to share with us on social media @frostingandglue
Origami Chicken
This Origami Chicken craft is the perfect introduction into the world of Origami! Your kids will love that they can take a single piece of paper and create a fun project from it!
Materials
- Colored origami paper or light construction paper
- Sharpie
- Craft glue
Instructions
Prepare a square paper. Fold the paper in half diagonally, unfold, and then fold diagonally from the other corner. Unfold the paper again.
With the paper facing you so that the creases make an X, fold the upper two corners in until the points touch the center.
Fold the lower two corners of the square into the center in the same manner.
Fold all four corners of the current square into the center again.
Unfold 2 opposite corners
Fold this pattern in half along the long side, keeping the corner flaps on the outside.
Hold the side flaps in place and fold out one of the open corners. Push the fold in the opposite direction so that you have a downward-pointing triangle.
Fold out the side nicely and flatten it with the rest of the pattern.
Similarly, fold out and flatten the other side. The current pattern should have 1 big triangle with two smaller triangles sticking out the bottom. The big triangle will be the chicken’s body. One of the small triangles is the head and the other is the tail-feather of the chicken.
Fold one of the small triangles across the body of the chicken. This fold is done to have a neat crease line.
Unfold the last fold.
Use the crease you just made to fold the triangle the other direction. The point of the triangle should be visible to the side of the chicken. This is the beak.
Fold the tip of the tail feather towards the back of the chicken. Trace and cut out a comb pattern and an eye. Attach the comb along the top of the head and glue the eye below the comb to complete the craft
Notes
After you are finished, add some glue in various places to keep the chicken’s shape intact
Use a googly eye or draw one on
Written instructions for origami are hard to follow. Make sure you pay careful attention to the pictures!
If you use a patterned paper, start step one with the blank side facing up
Origami can be very tricky for younger kids. Make sure to stay clos
