How to make an origami swan
A long neck and a proud head, from a kite. Here's an easy origami swan from a kite base, step by step: a diagram for every fold below, and every step playing in 3D in Crease, so you can watch the paper move and turn it round.
You need: a square of paper (15 cm or 6 in is ideal). Coloured on one side is best, but any paper works.
Free in your browser. Watch each fold, slow it down, turn it round.
Step by step
The dashed line is a valley fold (fold towards you); dash-dot is a mountain fold (fold behind). The arrow shows where the paper goes.
Fold the left corner to the right corner and open it again, to make a centre line.
Fold the two lower edges in to the centre line. It makes a kite.
Turn it over.
Fold the long edges in to the centre line again, so the kite gets thin.
Fold the thin point up to the top point. This will be the neck.
Fold the tip of the neck down to make the head.
Fold the swan in half, the left half behind.
Outside reverse fold the neck: open the layers a little and pull the neck out and round, so it points away from the body, then flatten it.
Turn it round so the neck points up. Your swan is ready to glide!
Done! Well folded.
Tips
- Line up the corners or edges first, then press the crease flat from the middle outwards.
- Run a fingernail along every crease: sharp creases make the later steps easier.
- Stuck on a step? Open Swan in Crease and watch it fold in 3D, as slowly as you like.
More easy origami
Origami for beginners: the folds, the bases and where to start →