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How to Make an Origami Flapping Bird with Paper Download Article Impress your friends with this moving bird made with just a sheet of paper Explore this Article Steps Steps Other Sections Questions & Answers Video Tips and Warnings Related Articles References Co-authored by Lois Wade
Last Updated: December 18, 2025 Fact Checked
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This article was co-authored by Lois Wade. Lois Wade has 45 years of experience in crafts including sewing, crochet, needlepoint, cross-stitch, drawing, and paper crafts. She has been contributing to craft articles on wikiHow since 2007. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 1,457,525 times.
While there are many instructions for making the traditional Japanese paper "peace" cranes, these instructions will make a flapping bird.
How to Start an Origami Flapping Bird
Fold a square piece of paper diagonally both ways, flatten it, then turn the paper over. Fold it up and down both ways. Gather the corners into the center, then flatten the paper into a diamond shape. Fold the top edges of the diamond toward the center, then undo the folds. Pull up the bottom corner of the diamond.
Steps
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1 Get a square piece of paper. To make your own square paper: fold one corner of a sheet of rectangular paper diagonally to form a triangle; then, cut the excess paper away. You can use any size paper, but origami paper and A4 paper are the best.
2 Fold a large X into the paper. If you haven’t already, fold the square in half diagonally. Repeat in the other direction. Unfold the paper and you should see the X.[1]XResearch source Advertisement
3 Turn the paper over. Make sure the ever-so-slightly-raised center of the X points up (like the top of a very flat pyramid).[2]XResearch source
4 Fold a large + into the paper. First both vertically and horizontally to form a + that intersects with the center of the X. When you’re done, the creases of the + will bend in the opposite direction as those of the X.[3]XResearch source
5 Bring all of the corners in toward the center. The shape is similar to the origami “fortune teller” (a.k.a. “cootie catcher”) used in children’s games.[4]XResearch source
6 Flatten the paper into a square. Turn the paper, so that you have a diamond with the open end facing you.[5]XResearch source
7 Fold the top edges of the diamond inwards toward the center line. Start by making sure the opening is at the top of the diamond.[6]XResearch source
Grab the right-hand corner of the upper layer and fold it downwards and inwards toward the center, then repeat on the left-hand side.
Flip the paper over and repeat on the other layer.
8 Gently unfold all the folds you made in Step 7.[7]XResearch source
9 Pull up the bottom corner of the diamond, opening it up. Flatten. Turn the paper over and repeat. You should end up with a kite shape.[8]XResearch source
10 Hold your new diamond shape with the split end up and fold each of the top points so that they point downward and outward to the sides.
11 Fold the remaining layers of the kite downwards (front and back).[9]XResearch source
12 Take one of the side points formed in step 10 and pinch the tip to form the head. Pull it down slightly, reverse its crease, and bend it downwards.[10]XResearch source
13 Round the wings. Pull them outwards away from the body and round them with your hands.
14 Make your bird flap. Pinch and pull the bird by the neck and tail.[11]XResearch source
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Question I made the flapping bird, but it doesn't flap like how yours did, what should do? Community Answer Try playing with the wings, curling them different directions and moving it away from the tail. Fiddle with it until they flap. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 100 Helpful 171
Question Will it fly when you throw it? Community Answer No. It is mainly used for decoration. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 105 Helpful 143
Question Is the curling of wings optional? How does it affect the flapping? Community Answer Curling the wings simply makes it look more realistic. It will not affect the flapping. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 78 Helpful 141
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Tips
The thinner the piece of paper you are using the easier it will be to fold. Thanks Helpful 37 Not Helpful 9
Don't use thick paper or it might not work as well, as thin paper. Thanks Helpful 30 Not Helpful 12
The sharper and more precise your creases are, the easier your projects will become. Thanks Helpful 33 Not Helpful 13
Show More Tips Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement
Warnings
Be careful with scissors. Thanks Helpful 32 Not Helpful 22
Avoid paper cuts. Thanks Helpful 30 Not Helpful 27
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Co-authored by: Lois Wade wikiHow Crafts Expert This article was co-authored by Lois Wade. Lois Wade has 45 years of experience in crafts including sewing, crochet, needlepoint, cross-stitch, drawing, and paper crafts. She has been contributing to craft articles on wikiHow since 2007. This article has been viewed 1,457,525 times. 3 votes - 73% Co-authors: 111Updated: December 18, 2025 Views: 1,457,525 Categories: Featured Articles | Bird Origami In other languages Spanish Russian Italian French Indonesian Japanese
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Reader Success Stories
Ivette
Jan 27, 2021
"It helped me to understand more about origami and how to fold it. I have been making these for my family and they saying how am I doing this kinda stuff. They really think you should post more origami stuff!"..." more
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Yes No Advertisement If you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission.Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Co-authored by: Lois Wade wikiHow Crafts Expert 3 votes - 73% Click a star to vote Co-authors: 111Updated: December 18, 2025 Views: 1,457,525
Ivette
Jan 27, 2021
"It helped me to understand more about origami and how to fold it. I have been making these for my family and they saying how am I doing this kinda stuff. They really think you should post more origami stuff!"..." more
Kamila Villaueva
Feb 15, 2023
"I made the "traditional swan" and it was very easy to make. You can use sticky notes too. It did help. My friends loved it! :)"..." more Rated this article:
Jay Lanchboy
Sep 12, 2021
"I got to use these at a party and my friends loved the origami birds! Thank you for making this article."
Anonymous
Mar 11, 2019
"I can't believe I've done this! When I made the wings flap, I got the biggest smile I've ever had."
Lars Misuma
Nov 19, 2020
"I failed the first time but I re-did it and I got it done." Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories
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Download Article Impress your friends with this moving bird made with just a sheet of paper Explore this Article Steps Steps Other Sections Questions & Answers Video Tips and Warnings Related Articles References Co-authored by Lois Wade 
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Co-authored by: Lois Wade wikiHow Crafts Expert This article was co-authored by Lois Wade. Lois Wade has 45 years of experience in crafts including sewing, crochet, needlepoint, cross-stitch, drawing, and paper crafts. She has been contributing to craft articles on wikiHow since 2007. This article has been viewed 1,457,525 times. 3 votes - 73% Co-authors: 111 Updated: December 18, 2025 Views: 1,457,525 Categories: Featured Articles | Bird Origami In other languages Spanish Russian Italian French Indonesian Japanese 
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1 Get a square piece of paper. To make your own square paper: fold one corner of a sheet of rectangular paper diagonally to form a triangle; then, cut the excess paper away. You can use any size paper, but origami paper and A4 paper are the best. 
2 Fold a large X into the paper. If you haven’t already, fold the square in half diagonally. Repeat in the other direction. Unfold the paper and you should see the X.[1] Advertisement 
Community Answer Try playing with the wings, curling them different directions and moving it away from the tail. Fiddle with it until they flap. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 100 Helpful 171 
Community Answer No. It is mainly used for decoration. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 105 Helpful 143 
Community Answer Curling the wings simply makes it look more realistic. It will not affect the flapping. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 78 Helpful 141 
Advertisement If you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission.Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy.