Origami Koala Bookmarks
Learn how to make this adorable origami koala bookmark with this step-by-step tutorial. When you’re done, check out this origami turtle corner bookmark. This post contains affiliate links.
Hang on tight to your favorite eucalyptus tree – we’re all about koalas today! These furry friends from Down Under aren’t actually bears, but they have the same endearing effect that makes everybody want to hug one! Now you can make your own koala friend using the creative art of paper folding, origami.
This clever origami project can also double as a corner bookmark (we’ve made a different type of corner bookmarks before) because its body has a hollow inside that you can slip over the corner of a book you’re reading. The koala will hang onto your page just like it hangs onto the trees at home!
Or, you can make your koala sit up on your desk or shelf by spreading apart that same opening a little to make a stand.
I think you’ll find this origami project easy and fun to do. It’s a good choice for crafters who have done a little origami before, but you don’t need to be an expert – I’ll show you everything you need. As always, you’ll want to choose a lightweight paper for this origami project so it can hold the layers of folds without getting too bulky. You can also use a bone folder or another smooth, flat tool to help sharpen your folds.
Paper folding will give you the distinctive outline of a koala’s head along with a body, and then you get to use markers, paper scraps, eyes, or whatever you like to design its facial features or other details. Make your koala friend as unique as you!
What you need
- Origami or other lightweight paper
- Markers
- Glue
- Scissors (optional – if your paper is not the right size)
- Bone folder (optional but helpful!)
How to fold an Origami Koala
1. Take a square sheet of paper (or cut your paper down to a square by folding it diagonally and trimming the excess).
Fold the square in half diagonally, and unfold to leave a crease. Fold it along the other diagonal, and unfold it again so you have two creases forming an X.
2. Flip the paper over to the other side. Fold it in half vertically, and unfold to leave a crease. Fold it in half horizontally, and unfold it again so you have two new creases forming a + shape.
3. Pinch the horizontal and vertical creases inward/toward each other, while the diagonal creases pop outward, forming the shape of a four-pointed star.
4. Flatten it into a triangle with two flaps on each side.
5. Fold the tip of the triangle (on the closed edge) down to the center of the open edge of the triangle, lining up the crease in the center.
6. Keeping that fold intact, turn the project so that the bottom/open side faces toward you. Gently begin to widen the opening of the open side.
7. As you gently pull apart the two flaps on one side, open and flatten the middle layer of the paper triangle.
8. Flatten it fully and crease the edges, forming a small triangle.
9. Do the same thing for the other side, flattening the middle layer of paper to form a small triangle.
10. Fold the project in half by joining the pointy ends together, with the new triangles hidden in the center.
11. The project now appears as two overlapping triangles. Take the right-angle corner of the top triangle (on the side that was formed in the last step when you folded in half) and fold in a little piece of the corner. Use a bone folder or other tool to make a crease.
12. Unfold that last corner fold to show the crease.
13. Fold the corner along the crease into the inside of the project.
14. The four points sticking out are the arms and legs of the koala. Make a small fold on each point to create a crease.
15. Unfold the points and then fold them inward. This gives your koala’s hands and feet a more natural shape.
16. Take another square paper for the koala’s head. It should be at least 1 cm shorter than the paper you used for the body – trim it down if necessary.
17. Fold the square in half horizontally and vertically, and open to leave creases.
18. Fold each corner in to the center of the square (where the creases meet) to create four triangle flaps.
19. Fold the top two adjacent flaps over to the other side.
20. Take the edge where one of the flaps was folded backward, and fold it down to the crease in the middle of the page.
21. Fold the other edge to the middle as well. Now those two flaps that you had folded backward are in front, sticking out to the sides.
22. Notice the triangle that was formed below the flaps. Take the bottom tip of the triangle and fold it up to the bottom of the flaps, along the center line.
23. Fold the project in half by taking the top point and folding it down to bottom, keeping the center aligned.
24. Flip the project over to the other side.
25. Cut out cheek blushes from light pink paper and glue them onto the koala’s face. Use a marker or pens to draw the eyes, nose, and mouth.
26. Use a little glue to attach the head to the body to complete the koala bear.
Your origami koala bookmarks are complete! What will you be making next? Comment below!
How to Fold an Origami Koala
This origami koala can be turned into an adorable corner bookmark - fun to craft and to gift!
Materials
- Origami or other lightweight paper
- Markers
- Glue
- Scissors (optional - if your paper is not the right size)
- Bone folder (optional but helpful!)
Instructions
- Take a square sheet of paper (or cut your paper down to a square by folding it diagonally and trimming the excess).
- Fold the square in half diagonally, and unfold to leave a crease. Fold it along the other diagonal, and unfold it again so you have two creases forming an X.
- Flip the paper over to the other side. Fold it in half vertically, and unfold to leave a crease. Fold it in half horizontally, and unfold it again so you have two new creases forming a + shape.
- Pinch the horizontal and vertical creases inward/toward each other, while the diagonal creases pop outward, forming the shape of a four-pointed star.
- Flatten it into a triangle with two flaps on each side.
- Fold the tip of the triangle (on the closed edge) down to the center of the open edge of the triangle, lining up the crease in the center.
- Keeping that fold intact, turn the project so that the bottom/open side faces toward you. Gently begin to widen the opening of the open side.
- As you gently pull apart the two flaps on one side, open and flatten the middle layer of the paper triangle.
- Flatten it fully and crease the edges, forming a small triangle.
Do the same thing for the other side, flattening the middle layer of paper to form a small triangle. - Fold the project in half by joining the pointy ends together, with the new triangles hidden in the center.
- The project now appears as two overlapping triangles. Take the right-angle corner of the top triangle (on the side that was formed in the last step when you folded in half) and fold in a little piece of the corner. Use a bone folder or other tool to make a crease.
- Unfold that last corner fold to show the crease.
- Fold the corner along the crease into the inside of the project.
- The four points sticking out are the arms and legs of the koala. Make a small fold on each point to create a crease.
- Unfold the points and then fold them inward. This gives your koala’s hands and feet a more natural shape.
- Take another square paper for the koala’s head. It should be at least 1 cm shorter than the paper you used for the body - trim it down if necessary.
- Fold the square in half horizontally and vertically, and open to leave creases.
- Fold each corner in to the center of the square (where the creases meet) to create four triangle flaps.
- Fold the top two adjacent flaps over to the other side.
- Take the edge where one of the flaps was folded backward, and fold it down to the crease in the middle of the page.
- Fold the other edge to the middle as well. Now those two flaps that you had folded backward are in front, sticking out to the sides.
- Notice the triangle that was formed below the flaps. Take the bottom tip of the triangle and fold it up to the bottom of the flaps, along the center line.
- Fold the project in half by taking the top point and folding it down to bottom, keeping the center aligned.
- Flip the project over to the other side.
- Cut out cheek blushes from light pink paper and glue them onto the koala’s face. Use a marker or pens to draw the eyes, nose, and mouth.
