Looking for an easy origami project to do as a family? Keep scrolling to learn how to make an origami shark for kids!
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The other day, my 4-year-old told me that his favorite animal is a shark. He had a whole story that basically implied they were just misunderstood creatures and not as scary as people think!
It was definitely entertaining to hear him talk about how he’d love to play with sharks on our next trip to Hawaii.
Of course, I gently reminded him that we always need to be careful when going into the ocean and probably shouldn’t engage with any sharks in the water.
But, I told him we could totally play with pretend sharks at home!
I figured we could work on a paper shark craft together so he could continue his imaginative play. So, we made an origami great white shark.
While these easy origami shark instructions are geared toward kids, younger kids will definitely need an adult to help. This will mitigate frustrations.
Keep scrolling to learn how to make an origami shark!
Love ocean animals? Get my DIY whale craft tutorial!
Origami Shark Instructions
Here is everything you need to know on how to make a paper shark step by step.
List of Supplies:
Origami Shark Step by Step Directions
Step 1:
Take a square paper sheet. Fold the paper in half diagonally on both sides to create creases.
Step 2:
Hold any corner of the square paper and draw it inside, aligning that outer side of the paper with the diagonal crease inside.
Step 3:
Do the same with the opposite corner. More precisely, align the top and left (or right, either one side) sides of the paper with the diagonal creases inside.
Step 4:
Hold the narrow corner of the current pattern and bring it all the way to the opposite corner, and fold the paper neatly. Unfold the last fold.
Step 5:
Take the narrow corner again and bring it all the way to the point where the 2 sides of the paper join. Unfold the last fold again.
Step 6:
Now fold the narrow corner to the point of the last crease (from the previous fold).
Step 7:
Unfold the last fold, and you’ll see 3 parallel creases.
Step 8:
Use scissors to cut a line from the corner of either flap to the outer point of the bottom crease.
Step 9:
Fold the cut-out pattern outwards. This will be the fin of the origami shark. Now cut a line between the 2 flaps, from the narrow corner to the point of the 2nd crease from that end.
Step 10:
Fold out the 2 sides of the slit diagonally in opposite directions. These are the tail of the shark origami.
Step 11:
Fold the current pattern in half symmetrically.
Step 12:
Attach a googly eye and use a Sharpie to draw the mouth of the paper shark.
And that’s it! I told you this was an easy origami shark craft!
Shark Origami FAQs
There are quite a few easy origami animals to make. Dogs, cats, or even these sharks are all easy and perfect to make with kids.
The most famous origami shape is the crane which is called the Orizuru in Japan.
It is fairly easy to make an origami shark, especially with the pattern used up above. If you have young children, they might need help a few times, but overall, it is pretty simple to make!
Origami Shark Wrap-Up
This origami shark is easy and so much fun to do with your kids. It is a great way to teach them all about sharks and have some fun in the process.
Try this shark craft next time you want to do something fun with your little ones!