How to make an origami inflatable goldfish
Origami Inflatable Goldfish: try all 15 steps in the 3D player. Turn and replay every move. Print the complete diagram sheet or save it as PDF.
The traditional waterbomb goldfish, with a hollow colored body and a large two-point tail.
- You need
- One square of thin origami paper. No glue or scissors.
- Start
- Start colored side up, with an edge at the top, so the fish's body and tail show the color.
- Tips
- Keep the rear triangle untouched until the front tips are locked.
- Fold only the left long point sideways before turning its whole leaf across.
Your model is ready
The goldfish is folded. Hold it lightly and blow into the small opening where the body meets the tail. Ease the body open while keeping the tail folds loose. The fully folded goldfish, still pressed flat before its body is inflated.
Step-by-step diagrams
Steps 1–6
- 1
Crease a diagonal
Fold the bottom left corner behind to the top right corner, press, and open.
- 2
Crease the other diagonal
Fold the bottom right corner behind to the top left corner, press, and open.
- 3
Crease across the middle
Bring the top edge down to the bottom edge, press, and open.
- 4
Make the waterbomb base
Push the side middles inward. Bring the top edge down to the bottom edge and press into a triangle.
- 5
Raise the front left corner
Fold only the front left corner up to the top point. Leave the rear triangle flat.
- 6
Raise the front right corner
Fold only the front right corner up to the top point. Leave the rear triangle flat.
Steps 7–12
- 7
Fold the left side in
Fold the left corner of the front diamond to its middle.
- 8
Fold the right side in
Fold the right corner of the front diamond to its middle.
- 9
Lock the left front tip
Fold the free upper left tip down to the middle and ease it under the two skins of its side pocket. Close the pocket and press flat.
- 10
Lock the right front tip
Fold the free upper right tip down to the middle and ease it under the two skins of its side pocket. Close the pocket and press flat.
- 11
Turn over
Turn the model over to reach the broad rear triangle.
- 12
Fold the rear left edge in
Fold the sloping left edge of this face to the vertical line through the top point.
Steps 13–15
- 13
Fold the rear right edge in
Fold the sloping right edge of this face to the vertical line through the top point.
- 14
Fold the left tail point outward
Fold just the left long point out to the left, making a triangle with a level upper edge.
- 15
Carry the tail across
Fold the whole front left leaf across to the right along the vertical middle, carrying the sideways triangle with it. Leave the other long point below.
- ✓
Finish
The goldfish is folded. Hold it lightly and blow into the small opening where the body meets the tail. Ease the body open while keeping the tail folds loose. The fully folded goldfish, still pressed flat before its body is inflated.
Fold next
Crane ↗
The crane begins with a square base. Two petal folds turn it into a bird base with separate points for the neck and tail; the broad flaps become the wings. Work through one side of the body before repeating the narrowing folds on the back.
Swan ↗
The traditional kite-base swan, with a pointed tail, a long neck and a small head.
Pig ↗
The traditional kindergarten pig, recorded in 1863. It stands on four pointed feet, with a raised tail and a short snout.
Japanese rabbit ↗
The cupboard-base Japanese rabbit recorded in 1935, with long ears and a small turned-up tail. Fold its broad head, narrow ears, body and reversed tail.