Origami is such a fun activity for kids and grownups alike! It’s pretty inexpensive as all you need is origami paper, but you can also make your own by cutting any thin paper (like copy paper you used and want to recycle) into squares.
A great origami project to start with is this easy paper heart and we’ll show you how to make it step by step! It’s perfect for Valentine’s Day, birthdays, or just anytime you want to show someone you love them. Origami is great for kids since it can help with fine motor skills as well as learning how to follow directions.
Looking for more fun origami projects?
- Easy Origami Butterfly
- Origami Box (with video!)
- Origami Crane
- Origami Flower
- Cootie Catcher – Fortune Teller
- 3 Easy Paper Airplanes (with videos!)
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Tips for making origami hearts:
- To make your creases crisp, try running your fingernail across your folds to really flatten your crease and keep the paper from popping up.
- Don’t use paper that’s too thick (like a heavy card stock) as it’s more difficult to fold and won’t keep its shape as well as a thinner paper.
- If you are making these with kids, you can have them decorate the paper before or after folding—give your heart some eyes and a smile!
What you’ll need to make it
- Origami paper: We love using origami paper, but you can also use printer paper or construction paper that’s cut into a square (6 x 6 is a popular size for origami paper).
- Tape (optional): If you want your heart to lay totally flat, you can add some double-sided tape or tape donuts to the inside of the heart “wings.”
How to make an easy origami heart:
- Lay your paper flat on the table pointed side up.
- Fold the top point down to meet the bottom point.
3. Unfold paper.
4. Fold your left edge over to meet your right edge.
5. Unfold paper.
6. Fold top point down to meet the middle crease.
7. Fold bottom point up to meet the top folded edge.
8. Fold the right side edge up to meet the center crease line.
9. Repeat with left side.
10. Flip over heart and fold down top and side points to round your heart shape.
11. Flip your heart over and your heart is done! You can also use some double-sided tape or tape donuts to keep the flaps down flat if you’d like.
Looking for Valentine’s Day related crafts?
- Valentine’s Day I Spy Game – Free Printable
- Love Bug Craft (Easy Valentine’s Day Activity!)
- Valentine’s Day Bingo – A Free Printable Game
- Valentine’s Day Books and Activity Ideas
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Get the How-To
Supplies
- 1 piece origami or square paper
- double sided tape or tap ((optional))
Instructions
- Lay your paper flat on the table pointed side up.
- Fold the top point down to meet the bottom point.
- Unfold paper.
- Fold your left edge over to meet your right edge.
- Unfold paper.
- Fold top point down to meet the middle crease.
- Fold bottom point up to meet the top folded edge.
- Fold the right side edge up to meet the center crease line.
- Repeat with left side.
- Flip over heart and fold down top and side points to round your heart shape.
- Flip your heart over and your heart is done! You can also use some double-sided tape or tape donuts to keep the flaps down flat if you’d like.
Notes
- To make your creases crisp, try running your fingernail across your folds to really flatten your crease and keep the paper from popping up.
- Don’t use paper that’s too thick (like a heavy card stock) as it’s more difficult to fold and won’t keep its shape as well as a thinner paper.
- If you are making these with kids, you can have them decorate the paper before or after folding—give your heart some eyes and a smile!
My 6 year old loves to make these!