The dreidel is a gyro that can be spun and is usually played during the Jewish holiday – Hanukkah, it has four sides and each side has a Hebrew letter.
To play this game, players take turns spinning the dreidel, following instructions based on the landing letters: Nun, Gimel, Hei, or Shin—dictates an action: do nothing, take everything, take half, or put one piece in. The pieces could be candies, chocolates, or any other small items. The game will end when one player wins all the pieces.
This origami gyro is a fun toy that can deepen the relationship between you and your friends and family and provide a pleasant time while you play.
Additionally, using the game to teach children about Hanukkah and the significance of the Hebrew letters on the dreidel makes this origami project educational.
- Folding time: 20 minutes
- Paper: 15×15 cm
- Difficulty: Middle
Material
Prepare four pieces of 15×15 cm origami square paper to create a 3.75×3.75×7.5 cm origami dreidel. Feel free to experiment with various colors to give your project a unique outlook.
Step by Step Instructions
Step 1
Take out one of the papers, place it with the desired display color side down to begin folding, fold it in half horizontally, leaving a crease, and unfold it.
Step 2
Fold the top and bottom edges to align with the horizontal crease.
Step 3
Fold the top and bottom edges to align with the horizontal crease, leaving two creases, and unfold them.
Step 4
Fold the paper in half vertically and unfold it.
Step 5
Fold the left and right edges to align with the middle vertical crease, leaving two creases, and unfold them.
Step 6
Expand the paper completely.
Step 7
Fold another piece of paper in the same manner as above. Then overlap the two sheets of paper as shown in picture 2.
Step 8
Fold the top and bottom edges toward the center along the creases indicated by the dotted lines. then, lift the left and right edges along the creases indicated by the dotted lines for 90 degrees, to get two stand upright flaps.
Step 9
Insert the right flap into the pocket of the left flap, adjust it well, and push the left and right corners toward the center to form a square. Rotate the paper 90 degrees from back to front, making this cuboid upright.
Step 10
Fold down the front edge of the top opening backward along the crease shown by the red dotted line, and fold down the back edge along the crease shown by the black dotted line. Then, we can see here two triangle flaps on each side, and press them so that they fit snugly against the sides.
Step 11
Flip the model over from front to back, then repeat the previous step.
Step 12
Take another piece of paper and place it with the desired display side facing up. Fold and unfold it horizontally, then vertically.
Step 13
Turn over the paper from left to right.
Step 14
Fold and unfold it diagonally from both sides.
Step 15
Bring the midpoints of the left, right, and top edges to meet the bottom edge’s midpoint, and flatten the fold to get a triangle.
Step 16
Fold the bottom left and right points of the top layer to meet the top point to form a small square, then fold the left and right points of this square along the dotted lines to meet the vertical line. Finally, fold down the two top points of the top layer.
Step 17
Fold down these two small triangles, and unfold them. Then, tuck the two triangles into the pocket below them.
Step 18
Turn over the paper from left to right, then fold up the bottom left and right points to meet the top point to form a small square. Next, fold the left and right points of this square toward the center along the vertical dotted line. Finally, fold down the two points on the top of the top layer.
Step 19
Repeat the step 17.
Step 20
Fold up the bottom point along the dotted line, leaving a crease, and unfold it.
Step 21
Rotate this paper 90 degrees from back to front, then bring up the top two flaps and press down the bottom two flaps. Finally, blow it from the bottom hole to inflate this model.
Step 22
Assemble this ball and the hollow cube.
Step 23
Take the last piece of paper, fold and unfold it in half horizontally, then vertically. Cut the paper along the creases to get a small square.
Step 24
Roll this small square paper from the top, and apply glue to the bottom to secure it in place to get a small paper stick. Cut the right end a little.
Step 25
Put this paper stick into the ball from the top hole. Remember to apply glue to secure the paper stick.
Step 26
Hold the stick part with your thumb and forefinger, and slightly lift the dreidel, then quickly roll the stick and release the dreidel and it will spin.
Let’s fold a lovely origami dreidel to play such an interesting game and celebrate Hanukkah. It features a classic four-sided design and a handle, you can write the four Hebrew letters as I mentioned above on each side to begin this game with your friends. Don’t forget to prepare your game pieces.
You can choose squares of paper in different colors and sizes to create a different kind of dreidel. To personalize your creation, you can also add details like patterns or other small origami projects.
To enhance the spirit of Hanukkah, why not make some other origami projects, such as an Origami 3D Star and an Origami Lantern? Display them alongside your Origami Dreidel to create a more festive atmosphere.
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.
Origami 3D Star
Origami Lantern
What’s Next
Now you have completed making this interesting origami Dreidel. Next, check out our other origami toy ideas. Happy folding!
Other Origami Toy Ideas
