Simple Origami Frog

Difficulty level: Simple
Recommended Paper: Any

This frog is one of the best known traditional origami models, and one of my personal favourites.  The traditional origami frog has that slightly angular feel to it that is typical of a lot of traditional origami models, but it has a striking appearance with strong clean lines and represents the shape of the animal very well.

How to Fold an Easy Origami Frog

Not surprisingly, you use the frog base as the starting point for this model.  The last step of the instructions calls for the simple origami frog model to be inflated by blowing into the base of it. Once inflated it is possible to make the frog jump lightly by pressing at the bottom of the model. While this is quite fun, I prefer not to do this as it spoils the clean shape of the model, and can make the legs splay out oddly if the frog is over-inflated.

This simple origami frog model is quite forgiving about what paper to use. Traditional origami paper is fine, although if you do want to inflate the frog and make it jump, something slightly stiffer might work better.

Origami Frog Diagram

Step	Diagram
1. Start with a frog base (instructions here)
2. Fold the left and right edges to the centre line
3. Turn the paper over
4 Fold the left and right edges to the centre line on this side
5. Fold the top 2 layers left to right
6. Fold the left and right edges to the centre line on this side
7. Turn the paper over
8. Fold the top 2 layers left to right
9. Fold the left and right edges to the centre line on this side
10. Fold the front legs up and unfold
11. Reverse fold the front legs along the fold you just made
12. Fold the rear legs out to the sides and unfold
13. Reverse fold the rear legs
14. Fold the rear legs down again and unfold
15. Reverse fold the rear legs along the creases you just made
16. Form the front and rear feet with more reverse folds
17. You have completed the frog

Simple Origami Frog Shaping ideas

There’s not really a lot you can do to shape this model, other than to inflate it. Once inflated, you can make the frog jump slightly by pressing between the two rear legs and letting go.

To inflate the frog and make it 3D, blow into the hole at the bottom between the rear legs.  You may need to ease the layers of paper apart gently at the front

Get Involved

I’d love to hear your views on this easy origami frog for beginners.  Feel free to let me know what you think in the comments below, or you find can me on Instagram or Twitter. Check out my Pinterest boards too!

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