Easy Origami Whale – Paper Crafts for Kids

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Learn how to make origami with kids of all ages with this adorable paper origami whale pattern. Kids will love how cute and simple this paper whale craft is! Origami is not as hard as you think and kids will ADORE this cute paper whale.

Easy Origam Whale for Kids. Super cute, fun and easy whale - a great paper craft for beginner origami kids. How to make an origami whale
This Origami Whale was first shared in July 2016 – a cute origami project for kids!

I think this paper whale also makes a super cute and easy Summer Crafts for Preschoolers.. we have create an easy origami video tutorial for you to follow or step by step photo instructions.

Personally, I LOVE the video tutorials for origami. They simply seem to make teaching origami so much easier. But I know some of you appreciate the step by step instructions too. So pick what is easier for you!

As mentioned, we have TONS more simple Origami for Kids ideas for you to check out if you want to have fun with paper!) – including a number of popular origami butterflies, a fun jumping origami frog for beginners and other simple origami projects!

So today we have this adorable Origami Whale. He is quick. He is easy and he is fun!! I think he would also double up as a cheeky “Bailey” from Finding Dory craft, don’t you think?! Enjoy.

To make this Origami Whale, you will need:

  • 1 square piece of paper*
  • scissors (optional)
  • markers & contrasting paper for decorating (optional)
  • glue stick (optional)

* you can use a square piece of origami paper for these or simple colorful printer paper. Construction paper could even work for this origami project.. though thinner paper is better!

If you find a printable worksheet with photo instructions useful, you can get a copy over on my teacher’s pay teacher’s store!

How to make an Origami Whale:

It really is EASY!! And the kids will love this adorable little paper craft! The origami whale instructions come as both a video tutorial and a step by step photograph tutorial. The video tutorial is on auto play, or you can scroll right down to the bottom of the post for the YouTube version.

Aren’t they adorable?? I particularly like the baby whales. So so cute! Hope you have a go and ENJOY!

Step by step written instructions for how to make an Paper Whale.

If you find a printable worksheet with photo instructions useful, you can get a copy over on my teacher’s pay teacher’s store!

Grab your pieces of square paper. You can use lots of different colors for whales, but I think greys, blues and purples make good whale colors! Now for our simple steps to make this cute paper whale!

Origami whale steps 1 & 2
Note – I flipped the image by 90 degrees to make it a better fit on the site! You will end up witha diamond/ kite shape

Make a diagonal

Take a square piece of paper and fold it across the diagonal. Open it up and fold it again in the opposite direction – you want that diagonal crease to go in both direction and be extra sharpe.

Kite shape

Open up the square again. Take left edge and bring it to meet the diagonal central line. Repeat with the other side and take the right edge to meet the central line – you should now have a kite shape / diamond shape.

Next step in making a paper whale

The whale’s body shape

Fold down the top point to meet the central line. Then fold in half.

Next paper whale fold

The whale’s tail

Take the long thing tip and fold up at a right angle. Give it a sharp crease.

Finishing Origami Whale features

Open up the origami and fold into the opposit direction.

Finally, make a small cut with a pair of scissors (you can tear this carefully too) at the top of the tail and fold down.

Draw your facial features and done!

Paper Whale Craft
Follow our simple instructions to make this cute origami whale family!

These little whales make cute summer decorations or paper toys for younger children to play with.

Here is a version, where we turned the Origami Whale into a Mother’s Day Card/ Valentine’s Origami Card – I love you Whaley Much!

Mother's Day Card - Origami Whale - I Whaley Love You, Mum
These paper whales are a lot of fun to make!

Didn’t they turn out cute?!

We have more DIY Paper Toys for your here – including fun cootie catchers and fortune tellers, paper cup & ball game. origami cubes (to fill with water) and DIY shooter toys:

Fun with Paper - DIY Paper Toys sq

We particularly LOVE these DIY Paper Spinners (great for learning about colour theory too!)

DIY Paper Spinner - simple to make and so fun to play with. Great for an STEAM lessons on colour theory

Also popular on Red Ted Art are these DIY Origami For Kids projects:

This collection of easy origami ideas contains many of our simple origami project favourites, including cute bunny origami faces, easy origami fish, the classic origami tulip and more!

origami for kids FB

Hope you have a go at making these wonderful Origami Whales!!

Alertnatively, check out the Top 10 Most Popular Origami for kids ideas:

popular origami

You can also watch this Origami Whale video on YouTube