How to Make an Origami Elephant
Fold the paper diagonally., Use a pencil and cut the bottom strip off., Color one side of your paper gray., Fold the paper diagonally again but in the other way., Position the paper so the colored side is on the back and the folded lines form a +...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Fold the paper diagonally.
Line up the edges to have a sharp point on one corner. (If you turn it sideways, it looks like half a trapezoid.) This step is essential to create a square piece of paper out of the rectangular paper.
If you already have the pre-made square origami paper, then you can scroll down to part 2:
Folding; however, you still need to make a diagonal crease of the paper. -
Step 2: Use a pencil and cut the bottom strip off.
You do not have to use a pencil if you do not feel the need to use it.
Creating a line makes it easier to but the paper into two pieces.
Now, the paper should be a square. , You are also free to color whatever color you would like your elephant to be.
Do not be limited to conventional colors of what an elephant is meant to be.
Remember, this is a fun craft that children can also enjoy to do. , The folded lines should form an X when the paper is in the square position.
The folded creases will serve as a guide for future steps. , The paper is in a diamond or rhombus position.
This step is necessary since it positions the paper for you to make the next step’s fold. , This part will form the top of the head of your elephant. , The paper should form a triangle.
To achieve this step, you can also make the flaps overlap.
The main goal of this step is to create the three corners of the triangle as best you can.
Make note that the bottom corner is going to be the trunk, so you should make sure that the trunk is long and gradually gets narrower. , Each flap looks like a triangle.
This step is a little tricky, but you can accomplish this step by using the right side of the middle upside-down triangle formed by step 3 of part 2 as a guide to fold the inner flap first.
Then, you can fold the outer flap by lining up with the folded inner flap.
The outer and inner flaps should also form a straight horizontal line.
This step is necessary to serve as a guide for the next fold.
This step’s folds create the ears of the elephant. , Remember to fold up to the horizontal line created by the last step. , This fold is like an accordion style fold.
This is going to be the trunk, so you can decide for yourself how long you want the trunk to be.
You should make sure the folds are straight and are parallel to the fold in step 5 of part
2.
This way the trunk is not going to be slanted, and you will have a trunk pointing straight down. , You should not fold too much in.
Fold in until you see a folded line.
This step is going to shape the head of the elephant.
This will imitate a rounder head and not a square and boxy head of an elephant. , This step is only necessary if you want to preserve the form of the elephant, and you do not want the folds to undo itself.
To conserve on the amount of tape you want to use, you can use four pieces of tape and fold the top two corners and the sides of the trunk. , You have finished the origami—the folding—part of this craft, so the elephant is basically completed; however, you can continue on with the steps in order to create facial features of your elephant. , This is the basic facial features you can give your elephant.
You can also add additional details to the face of your elephant.
Some examples may include drawing the creases on the trunk or the pinks of the ears. , This is optional, and this can include other drawings or colors not involving the details of an elephant.
You can add unrealistic features on the elephant to add more fun.
Some examples may include drawing a bow or a mustache. , Get a new piece of paper and start over, or you could use a clear tape and tape the pieces together.
To prevent this, take your time and be patient. , Go over the correct folds and fold them by pinching the folds harder.
A tip on how to fold harder is to use the tips of your fingernails and pinch while sliding your nails across the paper.
This makes the folds stay flatter.
This will also allow these folds to stand out against the other folds.
To prevent this, fold lightly at first then fold harder over the correct folds. , Color the areas again.
To prevent this, use a different type of coloring utensil.
Colored pencils can be the most inconsistent utensil.
Markers will make the coloring consistent, but it will be difficult to draw the facial and other personalized features at the end.
Crayons may be the best to use since they are more consistent and will allow you to draw other features at the end. -
Step 3: Color one side of your paper gray.
-
Step 4: Fold the paper diagonally again but in the other way.
-
Step 5: Position the paper so the colored side is on the back and the folded lines form a + sign.
-
Step 6: Fold the top tip of the paper to the middle.
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Step 7: Fold the two flaps on the side inwards.
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Step 8: Fold the inner flap then the outer flap outwards.
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Step 9: Fold the bottom part up.
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Step 10: Leave some room and fold that same part down.
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Step 11: Fold the top two corners in.
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Step 12: Tape the folded parts down.
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Step 13: Flip the paper over.
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Step 14: Draw the eyes and the mouth.
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Step 15: Add whatever personalized features on the face to make it fun and unique.
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Step 16: Paper rips.
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Step 17: Too many folds.
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Step 18: Inconsistent coloring spots.
Detailed Guide
Line up the edges to have a sharp point on one corner. (If you turn it sideways, it looks like half a trapezoid.) This step is essential to create a square piece of paper out of the rectangular paper.
If you already have the pre-made square origami paper, then you can scroll down to part 2:
Folding; however, you still need to make a diagonal crease of the paper.
You do not have to use a pencil if you do not feel the need to use it.
Creating a line makes it easier to but the paper into two pieces.
Now, the paper should be a square. , You are also free to color whatever color you would like your elephant to be.
Do not be limited to conventional colors of what an elephant is meant to be.
Remember, this is a fun craft that children can also enjoy to do. , The folded lines should form an X when the paper is in the square position.
The folded creases will serve as a guide for future steps. , The paper is in a diamond or rhombus position.
This step is necessary since it positions the paper for you to make the next step’s fold. , This part will form the top of the head of your elephant. , The paper should form a triangle.
To achieve this step, you can also make the flaps overlap.
The main goal of this step is to create the three corners of the triangle as best you can.
Make note that the bottom corner is going to be the trunk, so you should make sure that the trunk is long and gradually gets narrower. , Each flap looks like a triangle.
This step is a little tricky, but you can accomplish this step by using the right side of the middle upside-down triangle formed by step 3 of part 2 as a guide to fold the inner flap first.
Then, you can fold the outer flap by lining up with the folded inner flap.
The outer and inner flaps should also form a straight horizontal line.
This step is necessary to serve as a guide for the next fold.
This step’s folds create the ears of the elephant. , Remember to fold up to the horizontal line created by the last step. , This fold is like an accordion style fold.
This is going to be the trunk, so you can decide for yourself how long you want the trunk to be.
You should make sure the folds are straight and are parallel to the fold in step 5 of part
2.
This way the trunk is not going to be slanted, and you will have a trunk pointing straight down. , You should not fold too much in.
Fold in until you see a folded line.
This step is going to shape the head of the elephant.
This will imitate a rounder head and not a square and boxy head of an elephant. , This step is only necessary if you want to preserve the form of the elephant, and you do not want the folds to undo itself.
To conserve on the amount of tape you want to use, you can use four pieces of tape and fold the top two corners and the sides of the trunk. , You have finished the origami—the folding—part of this craft, so the elephant is basically completed; however, you can continue on with the steps in order to create facial features of your elephant. , This is the basic facial features you can give your elephant.
You can also add additional details to the face of your elephant.
Some examples may include drawing the creases on the trunk or the pinks of the ears. , This is optional, and this can include other drawings or colors not involving the details of an elephant.
You can add unrealistic features on the elephant to add more fun.
Some examples may include drawing a bow or a mustache. , Get a new piece of paper and start over, or you could use a clear tape and tape the pieces together.
To prevent this, take your time and be patient. , Go over the correct folds and fold them by pinching the folds harder.
A tip on how to fold harder is to use the tips of your fingernails and pinch while sliding your nails across the paper.
This makes the folds stay flatter.
This will also allow these folds to stand out against the other folds.
To prevent this, fold lightly at first then fold harder over the correct folds. , Color the areas again.
To prevent this, use a different type of coloring utensil.
Colored pencils can be the most inconsistent utensil.
Markers will make the coloring consistent, but it will be difficult to draw the facial and other personalized features at the end.
Crayons may be the best to use since they are more consistent and will allow you to draw other features at the end.
About the Author
Dennis Perez
Committed to making crafts accessible and understandable for everyone.
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