Origami animals have been the most famous craft creatures in origami. Some of them are super easy with less than 20 steps while advanced models can creates more details about the body and wings.
We include the basic origami animal faces which are super kid friendly, common animals, dogs and act and awesome ancient animals like some reptile animals and dinosaur. No matter whether you are a beginner or skilled in origami, some of the best origami animal ideas are on this page. What’s better, we provide detailed step by step origami tutorials to make sure you can get the best results.
Our Most Popular Origami Animals Tutorials
Those are our editor’s pick of most popular origami animals tutorials.
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Origami Land Animals
We include all of the animals who living on the land in our section of origami land animals – you can make origami grassland animals like the lion, giraffe and elephant, hippo and some special animals – the white and black panda, dancing monkeys and the cute cat.
You can also find animals in our daily life- dogs, cats, rabbits and even mouse. Pick your favorite origami animal model and start folding.
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Origami Animal Face
The Origami animal face is the easiest starting point for origami beginners. Most of the animal faces require less than 20 steps. If you just need flat origami animals for a greeting card or other craft project, those origami animal faces can be super quick to finish.
Something more interesting is that you can draw some cute eyes and mouthes to show different emotions or expression even with the same animal face. For example, a happy dog face or a down one.
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Origami Fish and Sea Creatures
Fish and sea creatures are always cute in appearance. We have simple fish that require less than 10 minutes, as well as middle-level origami sharks, origami whales, and, of course, origami sea turtles. You can use those sea animals to make a lovely sea themed origami mobile.
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Origami Birds
Birds are the most popular group in the world of origami. In this group, there are many classic models including the classic crane and dove. You can start with the basic crane or chick and then move on to more complex ones like the Origami Flamingo and eagle.
We included a long list of origami birds in this collection of origami animal idea collection because they are so vivid and creative in looking.
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Origami Insects
Origami insects are a captivating branch of origami. From butterflies and dragonflies to beetles and spiders, origami insects showcase the beauty and diversity of the insect world through creative folds and designs.
Patterned papers can improve the appearance of insects greatly, so be creative and set your imagination free when folding insects with paper.
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Origami Dinosaur
Dinosaurs can be the best object for boys. The following are our origami dinosaurs, with an easier version and a more difficult version.
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Reptile Animals
Origami Reptile Animals, from the most classic jumping frogs to lovely turtles.
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Others Origami Animals
We have video instructions for following origami animals. Once you finished the above easier ones, try those slightly skilled models.
Check Origami Animal Tutorials by Types
Origami Birds
Origami Reptiles
Land Animals
Origami Sea Creatures
Origami Animal Faces
Origami Insects
Papers for origami animals
We use educational paper to demonstrate most of our step-by-step instructions for origami animals so we can show the detailed front and back sides and add the arrows and lines on those pictures.
However, selecting the appropriate paper can make your origami animal pop out and become unique. Always try different papers to find the best result. You can use printed paper or even washi paper for artistic projects.
Let’s take this easy butterfly for example. All of those three collection of butterflies are made with the same butterfly model but they looks super different because of the paper used.
- The left group is made with gradient Sydney paper. Those paper are super thin and thus can make the butterfly as light and beautiful.
- The middle one is regular education origami paper, but we draw some lovely lines and spots to imitate the looking of natural butterfly.
- The right group is made with flower patterned origami paper. This will give the butterfly unique appearance because of the pattern.
So play with your papers and other craft tools like pens to make your origami animals outstanding and different..



Origami Animal Projects Ideas
Once you’ve mastered folding those origami animals, don’t throw them out. You can use them on many projects.
Make a wall art
Grouping several folded animals creates an attractive collage. For example, match the sea creatures and make an ocean-themed wall art. For example, a beautiful wall art with a collection of cranes.

Baby Mobile
Folded animals are the best elements for baby mobiles since they are quite vibrant in color.
Afterthoughts
Here, we make a showcase of different origami animal ideas and discuss further ideas after folding them. We love to see your creations, either the paper choosing or the way of put them together—happy folding with your cute animals.