How to make an origami penguin
Black (or any colour) on the outside, white on the tummy: this little penguin uses both sides of the paper and stands up on its own. Great for a winter or polar topic.
- Easy
- Age 5+
- About 5 minutes
- 5 steps
- No scissors
Lesson at a glance
- You need
- A square of paper (black or dark blue on one side). No scissors or glue.
- Time
- About 5 minutes
- Level
- Easy · age 5+
- 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 5Place the square like a diamond, white side up. Fold it in half from left to right, then open it again.
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 penguin: 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. Black or dark blue paper with a white back looks most like a penguin.
Place the square like a diamond, white side up. Fold it in half from left to right, then open it again.
Fold the top left and top right edges in to the centre crease, like a kite. The white part at the bottom is the penguin’s tummy.
Fold the top point down to make the head.
Fold the bottom point up behind, so your penguin can stand up.
Draw two eyes and an orange beak. Your penguin is finished!
Finished!
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What children learn
- Two sides: the coloured side makes the back and the white side the tummy.
- Kite shape: step 2 makes a kite – a shape with one line of symmetry.
- Animals: penguins are birds that cannot fly. Where do they live?
- Standing up: folding the bottom behind gives a flat base.
Classroom tips for teachers
- Polar topic: make a colony of penguins on a white paper “ice” display.
- Science: sort animals into birds that fly and birds that do not.
- Maths: line penguins up by height, or count them in twos.
- Shape talk: name the kite shape and find its line of symmetry.
- SEND tips: pre-crease the centre line and let children draw the eyes and beak first.
Curriculum links
- Science (Year 1–2, animals and habitats): name birds; talk about where penguins live.
- Maths (Year 2): describe 2-D shapes and a vertical line of symmetry (the kite).
- Geography (KS1): hot and cold places – the polar regions.
- EYFS (fine motor skills): careful folding and creasing.
Links to the National Curriculum in England and the EYFS framework. Check the wording against your own school’s plans. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Safety
No scissors or glue are needed. Use felt tips or crayons for faces. Keep paper away from mouths, and recycle the scraps.
More origami to try
More for your classroom
Questions teachers ask
Why won’t my penguin stand up?
Make the last fold (bottom point behind) straight across and press it flat. A wider fold gives a steadier base.
What colour paper is best?
Black or dark blue with a white back, so the tummy shows white.