This is an interesting origami project: an origami blinking eye that adds a fun change to your origami journey. The highlight of this design is its dynamic “blinking” feature—simply pinch and release the flaps on each side, and the eyes will open and close, creating a realistic effect. For the eye design, you have the freedom to create something unique, whether it’s a realistic eye, a cartoon eye, or a cool design, the choice is yours!
If you are new to origami, start here from our beginner guide to know the basics and how to read the step-by-step instructions.
- Folding time: 15 minutes
- Paper: 15cm x 15cm
- Difficulty: Easy
Material
Prepare a piece of 15 cm* 15 cm paper to create a 10.5 cm* 5.4 cm origami blinking eye. You can choose any color of paper. Different colors may bring different feelings.
Step by Step Instructions
Step 1
Place the paper with the desired display side face down to begin folding. Fold and unfold it in half horizontally, then vertically.
Step 2
Fold the top and bottom corners to meet the center intersection point formed by the two creases you made.
Step 3
Fold the top and bottom edges to align with the horizontal crease, crease them well, and unfold the paper completely.
Step 4
Fold the top and bottom corners toward the center to meet the intersection points indicated by the red spots. Then, fold the top and bottom edges along the existing creases indicated by the dotted lines, and repeat this one more time; there will be two symmetrical trapezoids in the middle.
Step 5
Turn over the paper from back to front, then fold the left and right points to meet the center intersection point.
Step 6
Fold the lower left and right corners upward along the two dotted black lines that connect the midpoint of the bottom edge and the midpoints of the left and right edges[picture 1].
Fold the red edges of the two flaps to align with the black edges[picture 2].
The same goes for the top side. Fold the top left and right corners downward along the two dotted black lines that connect the midpoint of the top edge and the midpoints of the left and right edges[picture 3].
Fold the red edges of the two flaps to align with the black edges[picture 2].
Step 7
Follow the steps below to unfold and turn the paper.
Step 8
Use any tool to draw a circle in the middle of the paper, and I used a tape here.
Then, draw an olive shape in the middle of the circle for the pupil and a rectangle for the highlight.
Step 9
Color this eye.
Step 10
Fold the top and bottom edges along the existing creases twice to get two symmetrical trapezoids in the middle.
Step 12
Flip the paper from front to back, then fold it along the existing creases, and finally, flip it back.
Step 13
To open the origami eye, pinch the left and right flaps together, then lift them up slightly.
What’s Next
That’s your origami blinking eye! Now you can explore our other interesting origami toy ideas. Enjoy folding!
If you are interested in this interactive origami, you might as well try making an Origami Finger Trap. It is super easy to make. Once you finish making it, press it with your finger, and it will clamp onto your finger like a monster’s mouth.
Origami Button is a little difficult but also very cute and fun. It is inspired by the four arrow keys on a computer keyboard, each button will automatically restore and pop up after being pressed.
Origami Finger Trap
Origami Button
