How to make an origami dog face
Floppy ears, a little nose and a big smile: this dog face takes just a few folds. It is a lovely first model and makes a great puppet or card decoration.
- Easy
- Age 4+
- About 5 minutes
- 7 steps
- No scissors
Lesson at a glance
- You need
- A square of paper. No scissors or glue.
- Time
- About 5 minutes
- Level
- Easy · age 4+
- How to teach it
- Show the 3D folder on the board and pause after each step, or print the step sheet for each table. Both show the same folds.
Finished!
Step 1 of 7Place the square like a diamond, white side up. Fold the top corner down to the bottom corner to make a triangle.
Keys: left and right arrows go back and forward, Space plays or pauses, R plays the step again, B shows the back. On the 3D picture, the arrow keys turn it and + and − zoom.
How to fold a dog face: step by step
You need: one square of paper, 15 cm (6 inches) is ideal. Origami paper is easiest. To make a square from A4 or US Letter paper without scissors, fold one corner down to the opposite edge, crease the leftover strip firmly both ways and tear it off slowly.
Place the square like a diamond, white side up. Fold the top corner down to the bottom corner to make a triangle.
Fold the triangle in half from left to right, then open it again.
Fold the left corner down so it hangs beside the face. This is a floppy ear.
Fold the right corner down in the same way for the other ear.
Fold the bottom point of the front layer up a little. This makes the nose.
Fold the bottom point of the back layer up behind, so the chin is flat.
Draw the eyes and color in the nose. Woof – your dog face is finished!
Finished!
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What kids learn
- Shapes: square, triangle and the dog’s diamond-shaped ears.
- Position words: up, down, in front, behind – the nose folds up at the front and the chin folds up behind.
- Symmetry: both ears match, one each side of the center crease.
- Fine motor skills: folding small flaps neatly.
Classroom tips for teachers
- Fine motor skills: show how to line up the corners first, then press the crease from the middle out to the sides.
- Shape talk: after each fold ask “What shape is it now?” – square, triangle, smaller triangle.
- Halves: open the first fold and show the two equal halves. How do we know they are equal?
- Story time: make a dog to go with a story or song, and use it as a finger puppet.
- Make a pack: each child folds a dog in a different color, then the class sorts them by color or ear size.
- SEND tips: use bigger squares (20 cm), pre-crease the first fold, and let children draw the face before folding if that is easier.
Standards links
- Math (K.G.A.2): name shapes such as squares and triangles in any size or position.
- Math (1.G.A.3): fold a shape into two equal shares and call them halves.
- Arts (National Core Arts Standards VA:Cr1.1): explore and play with materials, then add your own drawing.
- ELA (SL.K.1, SL.1.1): take turns to talk about each fold and listen to a partner.
Links to the Common Core State Standards, NGSS and the National Core Arts Standards. Check against your own state’s standards.
Safety
No scissors or glue are needed. Use markers or crayons for faces. Keep paper away from mouths, and recycle the scraps.
More origami to try
More for your classroom
Frequently asked questions
How do I make the ears floppy?
Fold the side corners down so they hang beside the face, rather than up. Fold them at a slight slant for a cuter look.
What can we do with paper dog faces?
Stick them on cards, make a class display, or tape a lolly stick on the back to make puppets for a story.