How to make an origami tulip
Four folds make a bright paper tulip. Make a whole bunch for a spring display, a card or a Mother’s Day gift.
- Easy
- Age 4+
- About 5 minutes
- 5 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 5Place the square like a diamond, white side up. Fold the bottom corner up to the top 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 tulip: 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. Add a green paper strip for the stem if you like.
Place the square like a diamond, white side up. Fold the bottom corner up to the top corner to make a triangle.
Fold the triangle in half from left to right, then open it again.
Fold the left corner up so its point sticks out to the left of the top point. This is a petal.
Fold the right corner up in the same way to make the second petal.
Turn the flower over. Your tulip is finished! Glue it to a green paper stem if you like.
Finished!
Made with Classfern · lessonplanner.info – Tulip
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What children learn
- Shapes: square, triangle and a flower shape.
- Symmetry: both petals fold the same way, one each side.
- Plants: name the parts of a flower – petal, stem, leaf.
- Seasons: tulips flower in spring.
Classroom tips for teachers
- Class garden: every child adds a tulip to a wall display, with paper stems and leaves.
- Science: look at a real tulip and compare it with the paper one – what is the same, what is different?
- Maths: make a tally chart of tulip colours and turn it into a pictogram.
- Cards: stick a tulip on a folded card for Mother’s Day, a birthday or a thank-you note.
- SEND tips: use bigger squares and let children fold the first triangle with a partner.
Curriculum links
- Science (Year 1, plants): name common garden plants and the parts of a flower.
- Maths (Year 1–2): name 2-D shapes; find a vertical line of symmetry.
- Art and design (KS1): use materials creatively to design and make.
- EYFS (expressive arts and design): create with materials, experimenting with colour and form.
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 needed. If you add stems with glue sticks, keep them away from mouths and wash hands afterwards.
More origami to try
More for your classroom
Questions teachers ask
How do I make a stem for my tulip?
Roll a green strip of paper tightly into a thin tube, or fold a green square into a simple leaf shape, and stick the tulip on top.
What age can make an origami tulip?
Children from about 4 can make it with a little help – it is one of the easiest flowers.