How to make an origami balloon (waterbomb)
Origami Balloon (Waterbomb): try all 23 steps in the 3D player. Turn and replay every move. Print the complete diagram sheet or save it as PDF.
A traditional paper balloon: fold four locking pockets, then blow it up into a hollow cube.
- You need
- One square of thin origami paper. No glue or scissors.
- Start
- Start colored side up, with an edge at the top.
- Tips
- Keep the four corner tips aligned before folding the sides inward.
- Open each pocket a little before sliding its locking tip inside.
- Blow gently and ease the faces apart if the balloon sticks.
- Once it is full, pinch along the edges to square the top and bottom faces into a neat cube.
Your model is ready
The balloon is inflated. Ease its corners square and keep the four locking tips inside their pockets.
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 left corner (front)
Fold just the front left corner up to the top point.
- 6
Raise the right corner (front)
Fold the front right corner up to the same point.
Steps 7–12
- 7
Turn over
Turn the triangle over, keeping its long edge at the bottom.
- 8
Raise the left corner (back)
Fold just the front left corner up to the top point.
- 9
Raise the right corner (back)
Fold the front right corner up to the same point.
- 10
Turn back
Turn the diamond back to the first face.
- 11
Fold the left side in (front)
Fold the front left side point to the middle of the diamond.
- 12
Fold the right side in (front)
Fold the front right side point to meet it at the middle.
Steps 13–18
- 13
Turn over
Turn the diamond over to reach the other side flaps.
- 14
Fold the left side in (back)
Fold the front left side point to the middle of the diamond.
- 15
Fold the right side in (back)
Fold the front right side point to meet it at the middle.
- 16
Lock the left tip (back)
Open the folded left side flap. Fold its free top tip down to the middle and slip it into the pocket. Close the side flap and press flat.
- 17
Lock the right tip (back)
Open the folded right side flap. Fold its free top tip down to the middle and slip it into the pocket. Close the side flap and press flat.
- 18
Turn over
Turn over to reach the two remaining free tips.
Steps 19–23
- 19
Lock the left tip (front)
Open the folded left side flap. Fold its free top tip down to the middle and slip it into the pocket. Close the side flap and press flat.
- 20
Lock the right tip (front)
Open the folded right side flap. Fold its free top tip down to the middle and slip it into the pocket. Close the side flap and press flat.
- 21
Prepare the upper end
Fold the top point down along the line between the upper side corners. Press and open again.
- 22
Prepare the lower end
Fold the bottom point up along the line between the lower side corners. Press and open again.
- 23
Blow into the hole to inflate it
Blow gently into the small hole at the bottom point. Ease the faces apart until the balloon fills out.
- ✓
Finish
The balloon is inflated. Ease its corners square and keep the four locking tips inside their pockets.
Fold next
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Talking fish ↗
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Fox puppet ↗
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Swallow plane ↗
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