Father’s Day originated in the early 20th century as a way to honor the important role fathers play in our lives.
While Mother’s Day was already widely celebrated, it wasn’t until 1910 that Sonora Smart Dodd, whose father raised her and her five siblings alone after their mother died, pushed for a similar holiday to celebrate fathers. Today, this special day gives us a chance to show appreciation for the men who guide, protect, and support us through life.
What better way to show your love than with a handmade gift? In this article, I’ll share over 20 origami projects perfect for Father’s Day.
From practical items like shirts and wallets to decorative pieces like flowers and animals, there’s something here for every dad. These folded paper creations may be small, but they carry big meaning—each fold represents the time and thought you’ve put into creating something special just for him.
At origamiOK, we’ve got you covered for every occasion with special collections for Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter, Halloween, and Fall origami projects.
Find all beginner tutorials on our Easy Origami page. The Origami Instructions section organizes every OrigamiOK tutorial for quick, easy browsing.
Before You Start Folding
Before diving into these Father’s Day origami projects, keep a few things in mind. Paper folding can sometimes be tricky, especially for beginners. Don’t get discouraged if your first attempt doesn’t look perfect! Each project takes practice, and honestly, your dad will appreciate the effort more than the perfection.
The projects in this article come in three difficulty levels: Easy, Intermediate, and Advanced. If you’re new to origami or folding with young children, stick with the easy projects first. Some designs, like the origami eagle, can be challenging even for adults and might take considerable time to complete.
Quick Preview of Father’s Day Origami Ideas
1. Origami Shirt
Folding time: 10 minutes
Paper: 15×15 cm
Difficulty: Easy
Total steps: 17
What better symbol for Father’s Day than a paper shirt? This classic origami design makes for a perfect card or decoration that says “Dad” in the most appropriate way.
The tutorial actually uses a 7.5×11.25 cm rectangle cut from a 15×15 cm square sheet. After 17 simple folding steps, you’ll have a miniature shirt that can even be customized with a tiny paper tie or pocket!
2. Dollar Bill Origami Shirt and Tie
Folding time: 10 minutes
Paper: A Dollar Bill
Total Steps: 16
Difficulty: Easy
This project takes the shirt concept to the next level by using a dollar bill instead of plain paper. The design cleverly incorporates the printed patterns on the bill to create a surprisingly realistic-looking shirt and tie combination. After 16 straightforward steps, you’ll have a money gift that’s much more thoughtful than simply slipping cash into a card.
3. Easy Dollar Bill Origami Pant
Folding time: 15 minutes
Paper: Two Dollar Bill
Total Steps: 17
Difficulty: Easy
Why stop at just a shirt when you can create an entire outfit? These dollar bill pants make the perfect companion to your origami shirt. The tutorial includes two different pant styles to choose from, both requiring just 17 steps. Together with the dollar bill shirt, you’ll have a complete money outfit that shows how much thought you put into your Father’s Day gift.
4. Origami Hat
Every dad needs a good hat, right? I’ve selected two fantastic hat designs from our Origami Hat Collection: an origami cowboy hat and an origami top hat. The cowboy hat is the easier option for beginners.
If you want your dad to actually wear your creation, remember to use larger paper—typical origami paper will only produce a tiny hat suitable for decoration rather than wearing.
5. Origami Pen Holder
Folding time: 20 minutes
Paper: 15×15 cm / 9
Total Steps: 19
Difficulty: Intermediate
Help organize your dad’s desk with this practical pen holder. It’s perfect for holding pens, pencils, or even a small flower arrangement. This project requires 9 sheets of 15×15 cm paper and involves 19 folding steps. Try using different colored papers to create a visually striking design. Your dad will think of you every time he reaches for a pen at work!
6. Origami Wallet
Folding time: 5 minutes
Paper: 15×15 cm
Total steps: 9
Difficulty: Easy, Beginner friendly
Create a cute paper wallet for your dad in just 9 simple steps. While the tutorial uses 15×15 cm paper, consider using larger paper to make a more functional wallet. Get creative with the design—add your own patterns, drawings, or even a small note hidden inside. This easy project is perfect for younger children or those new to origami.
7. Origami Glasses Case
Folding time: 15 minutes
Paper: 15×15 cm / 2
Total steps: 25
Difficulty: Intermediate
Does your dad wear glasses? This rectangular box design makes a perfect glasses case. You’ll need two square sheets of paper that you’ll fold separately and then combine. The complete process takes about 25 steps.
For best results, use stiffer paper and a larger size than standard origami paper. Secure the pieces with a bit of glue to increase durability, and personalize it with decorations or patterns that suit your dad’s style.
8. Origami Pot Plant
Plants symbolize growth and nurturing—qualities that many fathers embody.
I’ve included two potted plant designs: a general origami pot plant and a more specific origami orchid. Both designs are fairly complex and might take 1-2 hours to complete, but the result is a lasting decoration that won’t wilt like real flowers. Imagine your dad’s smile seeing this thoughtful creation on his desk every day!
9. Origami Star
Folding time: 20 minutes
Paper: 15×15 cm
Total steps: 25
Difficulty: Intermediate
While often associated with Christmas decorations, stars carry special symbolism that makes them appropriate for Father’s Day too. Stars represent guidance and inspiration—just like dads do in our lives.
This intermediate design requires 25 folding steps using a 15×15 cm square sheet. The result is a beautiful multi-pointed star that can serve as a decoration or a symbol of your dad’s guiding presence in your life.
10. Origami Cup
Folding time: 8 minutes
Paper: 15×15 cm
Total steps: 22
Difficulty: Easy
For coffee-loving dads, an origami cup makes a playful gift. While it won’t actually hold liquid, it can serve as a small container for paper clips, thumbtacks, or other tiny desk items.
The cup takes just 22 steps to fold from a standard 15×15 cm sheet. Consider pairing it with some real coffee beans or a gift card to his favorite coffee shop!
11. Origami Puffy Heart
Folding time: 10 minutes
Paper: 15×15 cm
Total steps: 9
Difficulty: Easy, Beginner friendly
Hearts might seem more appropriate for Mother’s Day or Valentine’s Day, but dads deserve love too! This simple puffy heart design requires just 9 steps and creates a three-dimensional heart that stands up on its own. It’s an easy way for even the youngest family members to express their love.
We have several other heart designs in our collection if you’re interested:
Visit our Oriigami Heart Collection page for even more options!
12. Origami Leaf Envelope
Paper: US letter or A4 paper
Difficulty: Easy
Total steps: 15
Folding time: 15 minutes
Write a heartfelt thank-you note to your dad and deliver it in this nature-inspired envelope. The leaf shape adds a special touch to your written words.
Using standard printer paper (US Letter or A4), you can create this envelope in just 15 folding steps.
If you’d like more Origami Envelope options, check out these designs from our collection:
13. Dollar Bill Origami Ring
Folding time: 20 minutes
Paper: A dollar bill
Total Steps: 14
Difficulty: Easy
Create matching rings—one for your dad and one for yourself! This clever design transforms a dollar bill into a wearable ring in just 14 steps.
The “ONE” pattern from the bill becomes the centerpiece of the ring, creating a unique and meaningful accessory.
We have several other Origami Ring Designs in our collection if you’d like to explore alternatives.
14. Origami Daffodil in Vase
Folding time: 30 minutes
Paper: 20×20 cm
Total steps: 37
Difficulty: Advanced
Remember that pen holder we mentioned earlier? Why not fill it with a beautiful paper flower? This daffodil design is one of our most popular projects, though it’s definitely advanced level. Using 20×20 cm paper, you’ll create a realistic-looking flower through 37 precise folding steps.
If this seems too challenging, we have simpler flower options in our collection:
Easy Origami Tulip and Origami Kusudama Flower are both beginner-friendly designs. Visit our Origami Flower collection for many more options ranging from easy to advanced.
15. Easy Origami Money Crown
Folding time: 20 minutes
Paper: Dollar Bill / 15
Total Steps: 21
Difficulty: Intermediate
Designer: Anastasia Prokuda
Every dad deserves to be treated like royalty on Father’s Day! This eye-catching crown requires 15 dollar bills folded into basic crown units and then assembled together. While each unit is relatively simple, you’ll need to repeat the process 15 times, making this an intermediate project.
If that seems too ambitious, we have two alternative crown designs: a simple easy origami crown using just one square sheet, and another design requiring 6 square sheets. Both are significantly easier than the money crown.
16. Origami Car
Folding time: 15 minutes
Paper: 15×15 cm / 2
Total steps: 30
Difficulty: Intermediate
For dads who love automobiles, this super cool race car design makes a perfect gift.
Using two 15×15 cm squares and following 30 folding steps, you’ll create a sleek paper vehicle that’s sure to earn a special place on his desk or shelf.
17. Origami Boat
Is your dad a sailor or does he love the water? Give him a paper boat with wishes for smooth sailing ahead! Here are four selected boat designs from our Origami Boat Collection:
18. Origami Airplane
For dads who love travel or aviation, paper airplanes make meaningful gifts. Here are four selected designs from our extensive aircraft Origami Airplane Collection:
19. Origami Bookmark
For book-loving dads, a handmade bookmark is both practical and thoughtful. We have many adorable designs to choose from:
Visit our Origami Bookmark Collection for even more options!
20. Origami Animals
Different animals carry different symbolic meanings that might resonate with qualities you see in your father:
Eagle — represents strength, protection and guidance
Dragon — symbolizes wisdom, strength and protection
Lion — represents courage, leadership and family protection
Bear — represents strength and protection
Choose an animal that reminds you of your dad’s best qualities! Visit our Origami animal collection to find the perfect origami creature.
21. Origami Fidget Toy
Fidget toys help relieve stress and improve focus—something many busy dads could benefit from! A handmade fidget toy shows you care about your dad’s wellbeing and gives him something fun to play with during breaks. Here are some great options:
For more options, visit our Origami Fidget Toy Collection!
22. Origami Interactive Games
The best gift you can give your dad is quality time together. Create origami games and challenge him to play!
Try origami football and see who can score more goals, race origami jumping frogs to see whose jumps farther, compete with origami spinner tops to see whose spins longest, or play with the classic origami fortune teller. After all, spending time together creates the most lasting memories.
Visit our Origami Toy Collection for more interactive origami games!
23. Origami Boxes for Your Father’s Day Gifts
After creating all these wonderful gifts, you’ll need a special box to present them in! Here are four beautiful box designs selected from our collection:
Remember to use larger paper for these boxes so they can actually hold your gifts. If these designs seem too challenging, our Origami box collection includes simpler gift box options as well.
The Gift of Thought and Time
Father’s Day isn’t about expensive presents—it’s about showing appreciation for the men who have shaped our lives. These origami creations may be made from simple paper, but they represent something priceless: your time, effort, and thoughtfulness. Whether you choose an easy design like a paper wallet or tackle an advanced project like the jet airplane, your dad will treasure your handmade gift far more than anything store-bought.
The best part about origami is that it creates lasting keepsakes. Long after flowers have wilted and chocolates have been eaten, your paper creations will remain as reminders of your love and gratitude. So pick a design that speaks to you, gather your paper, and start folding a Father’s Day gift that’s truly one of a kind!
Happy folding, and Happy Father’s Day to all the amazing dads out there!
