Origami: Paper Boat
A classic, kid-friendly origami project — no scissors or glue needed, just one square or rectangular sheet of paper. Print this page for step-by-step folding instructions.
- Step 1.
Start with a rectangular sheet of paper. Fold it in half from top to bottom, then unfold — this crease is just a guide.
- Step 2.
Fold the top edge down to meet the crease you just made, so you have a long rectangle folded in half.
- Step 3.
Fold the top two corners down to the center, making a triangle shape on top of the rectangle strip.
- Step 4.
Fold the bottom strip of paper up on both the front and back, over the base of the triangle, to lock the corners in place.
- Step 5.
Open the shape from the sides and flatten it into a square (like an envelope) — you should have two triangular points sticking out to the left and right.
- Step 6.
Fold the bottom corners of the square up to the top corner on both the front and back, forming a smaller triangle.
- Step 7.
Open this smaller triangle from the sides and flatten it into a square again.
- Step 8.
Gently pull the two outer corners apart and open up the middle to shape it into a boat, flattening the bottom crease so it can sit upright.
You made a paper boat! 🎉
Next, try the Paper Cup or see all origami guides.