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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.

  1. Step 1 diagramStart with a rectangular sheet of paper. Fold it in half from top to bottom, then unfold — this crease is just a guide.
  2. Step 2 diagramFold the top edge down to meet the crease you just made, so you have a long rectangle folded in half.
  3. Step 3 diagramFold the top two corners down to the center, making a triangle shape on top of the rectangle strip.
  4. Step 4 diagramFold the bottom strip of paper up on both the front and back, over the base of the triangle, to lock the corners in place.
  5. Step 5 diagramOpen 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.
  6. Step 6 diagramFold the bottom corners of the square up to the top corner on both the front and back, forming a smaller triangle.
  7. Step 7 diagramOpen this smaller triangle from the sides and flatten it into a square again.
  8. Step 8 diagramGently 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.