How to make an origami octopus
Origami Octopus: try all 10 steps in the 3D player. Turn and replay every move. Print the complete diagram sheet or save it as PDF.
An Origami Tutor fold-and-cut octopus with a broad faceted head and eight pointed arms radiating around it. All the parts stay joined to one square.
- You need
- One square of thin paper colored alike on both sides, a pencil, ruler and scissors. A pen for eyes is optional. No glue.
- Start
- Start with an edge at the top. Mark the central octagon and eight strips shown in the cutting diagrams. Use paper colored alike on both sides.
- Tips
- Leave the central octagon whole; every arm joins one of its sides.
- On an 8 inch square, the cap is about 1.6 inches across and the head stands about 1.5 inches tall.
Your model is ready
The octopus has a broad head and eight pointed arms spread all around it. Add two eyes on a side of the head if you like. The finished octopus, with eight bent arms around its upright head.
Step-by-step diagrams
- 1
Cut outline 1
Cut inward from the edge midpoint, around the two arm outlines and back out at the next edge midpoint. Keep the middle octagon and all eight arms joined; remove only the outside scrap.
- 2
Cut outline 2
Cut inward from the edge midpoint, around the two arm outlines and back out at the next edge midpoint. Keep the middle octagon and all eight arms joined; remove only the outside scrap.
- 3
Cut outline 3
Cut inward from the edge midpoint, around the two arm outlines and back out at the next edge midpoint. Keep the middle octagon and all eight arms joined; remove only the outside scrap.
- 4
Cut outline 4
Cut inward from the edge midpoint, around the two arm outlines and back out at the next edge midpoint. Keep the middle octagon and all eight arms joined; remove only the outside scrap.
- 5
Prepare the first head side
Fold the top arm inward across the top edge of the small octagon, press, and open it again.
- 6
Fold the first head side
Keep the little octagonal cap flat. Fold the first strip down at its root so it slopes down and slightly outward from the cap.
- 7
Complete the eight-sided head
Fold the other seven strips down at the edges of the cap. Their straight sides meet around the head, with all eight long ends still hanging below.
- 8
Fold all eight arms outward
Bend each hanging strip outward at the marked lower line, at the narrow bottom of the head. Keep the arms outside the head as its lower sides close in the next fold.
- 9
Taper the head toward its neck
Fold each side inward at its upper crosswise line. The head stays broad above and narrows where the arms begin.
- 10
Bend the pointed ends
Give each pointed end a small upward fold on its short crosswise line. Keep the broad head upright and the arms spread.
- ✓
Finish
The octopus has a broad head and eight pointed arms spread all around it. Add two eyes on a side of the head if you like. The finished octopus, with eight bent arms around its upright head.
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.