Tired of paper cranes or paper boats? Want something more challenging? Then this origami kangaroo tutorial will definitely satisfy your craving!
It looks very lifelike, especially its cute ears, arched back, long tail and short forelimbs, each part adds vitality to it.
Don’t be scared by its difficulty level. Although the steps are a little complicated, as long as you follow the tutorial step by step, plus a little patience, I believe you will make this cute and cool kangaroo a reality!
If you are new to origami, start here with our beginner guide to learn the basics and how to read the step-by-step instructions.
- Folding time: 50 minutes
- Paper: 24×24 cm
- Difficulty: Advanced
- Designer: Jo Nakashima
Material
Prepare a piece of 24×24 cm origami square paper, with different colors on each side, to create an 11×11.3 cm origami kangaroo. It is recommended that you use square paper that is longer than 20cm, as there are a lot of folding steps. We also suggest you use slightly resilient paper.
Step by Step Instructions
Step 1
Place the paper with the desired display color side up to begin folding, fold it in half horizontally, and unfold it.
Fold the paper in half vertically, and unfold it.
Step 2
Fold the bottom left edge to align with the top right edge, leaving a short crease indicated by the black dotted line, and unfold it.
Step 3
Fold the left corner indicated by the red spot along the black dotted line to meet another red spot, then fold the right edge of the resulting triangle to align with its left edge.
Fold the top right edge to align with the top left edge, then fold it back to the right side along the vertical crease to align with the paper’s top right edge. Then, unfold this paper completely.
Step 4
Fold the left corner indicated by the red spot along the black dotted line to meet another red spot, then fold the right edge of the resulting triangle to align with its left edge.
Fold the bottom right edge to align with the bottom left edge, then fold it back to the right side along the vertical crease to align with the paper’s bottom right edge. Then, unfold this paper completely.
Step 5
Flip the paper over from left to right.
Step 6
Valley fold the creases indicated by the dotted lines and bring up the four edges along these creases, creating a flap on each side, then flatten the two flaps upward.
Step 7
Turn over the paper from left to right.
Step 8
The same as the previous step.
Valley fold the creases indicated by the dotted lines and bring up the four edges along these creases, creating a flap on each side, then flatten the two flaps upward.
Step 9
Fold down the top corner along the black dotted line connecting two red spots, leaving a crease, and unfold it.
Step 10
Fold down the two flaps, then turn the paper over from left to right.
Step 11
Fold down the top corner to the right side along the black dotted line, leaving a crease, and unfold it.
Fold down the top corner to the left side along the black dotted line, leaving a crease, and unfold it.
Step 12
Turn over the paper from left to right, then fold down the top corner along the dotted line to meet the intersection point formed by the creases you made in the previous step.
Step 13
Fold the left edge of the top triangle to align with its top edge, leaving a crease, and unfold it. Then, lift the left layer and press down the crease you made in the previous step. Finally, place down the layer you lifted.
Step 14
Fold the top flap to the left and fold its bottom edge upwards. Then, lift the bottom part of the flap and slightly open the middle opening of the paper to take out a layer sandwiched under the right side of the flap and unfold it upwards.
Step 15
Bring up the flap on the top to make it stand upright. Then, mountain fold the two creases indicated by the red dotted lines. Next, press down the top part along the crease shown by the black dotted line, and fold the paper in half vertically backward. Flatten the fold and rotate the paper 90 degrees from left to right.
Step 16
Fold the bottom edge of the top layer along the black dotted line.
Fold the edge indicated by the black dotted line to align with the edge indicated by the red line, leaving a crease, and unfold it.
Unfold this layer, then mountain fold the crease you made in the previous step indicated by the red dotted line, and valley fold the creases indicated by the black dotted lines. Next, fold up this layer’s bottom edge along these creases you shaped.
Step 17
Turn over the paper from left to right, and do the same with step 16. Fold the bottom edge of the layer on this side along the black dotted line.
Fold the edge indicated by the black dotted line to align with the edge indicated by the red line, leaving a crease, and unfold it.
Unfold this layer, then mountain fold the crease you made in the previous step indicated by the red dotted line, and valley fold the creases indicated by the black dotted lines. Next, fold up this layer’s bottom edge along these creases you shaped.
Step 18
Rotate the paper 90 degrees clockwise. Now, it looks like a dinosaur.
Step 19
Fold the edge indicated by the red line to align with the edge indicated by the black line, leaving a crease, and unfold it.
Step 20
Rotate the model 90 degrees from front to back and expand it by opening the bottom opening.
Mountain fold the creases indicated by the red dotted lines, and valley fold the horizontal crease indicated by the black dotted line, then close this opening, and lay this model flat.
Step 21
Fold the bottom left edge of the upper layer indicated by the red line to align with the bottom right edge, then flip the paper over from left to right, and fold the bottom right edge to align with the bottom left edge.
Step 22
Lift the middle layer, then fold the top layer of the long right section to the left, and finally put the lifted layer down.
Step 23
Flip the paper over from left to right.
Step 24
The same to this side.
Lift the middle layer, then fold the left layer of the bottom part to the right, and finally put the lifted layer down.
Step 25
Flip the paper over from left to right.
Step 26
Open the pocket [picture 1], and fold the edge indicated by the red line to align with the edge indicated by the black line [picture 2], then make a mountain crease as the red dotted line[picture 3].
Close this pocket and flatten the fold.
Step 27
Flip the paper over from left to right and fold it similarly to the other side.
Open the pocket [picture 2], and fold the edge indicated by the red line to align with the edge indicated by the black line [picture 3], then make a mountain crease as the red dotted line[picture 4].
Close this pocket and flatten the fold.
Step 28
Fold the triangle on the top side to the right side, and unfold it. Then, fold its bottom left edge to align with its right vertical crease, leaving a crease, and unfold it.
Step 29
Rotate the paper 90 degrees from left to right, then slightly expand the top part. Next, mountain fold the creases indicated by the red dotted lines, and valley fold the creases indicated by the black dotted lines.
Finally, flatten the top part and rotate the paper 90 degrees from right to left.
Step 30
Focus on the top part, press down the small flap [picture 1], then fold the right edge to the left side along the dotted line [picture 2].
Turn the paper over from left to right and fold this side the same way you folded the other side.
Press down the small flap [picture 4], then fold the left edge to the right side along the dotted line [picture 5].
Step 31
Still focus on the top part. Lift the flap as you can see in the first picture, and fold the left edge toward the right side along the dotted line connecting two red spots [picture 2].
Flip the paper over from left to right. The same as the other side, lift the flap [picture 4] and fold the right edge toward the left side along the dotted line connecting two red spots [picture 5].
The prototype of the kangaroo’s head is now complete.
Step 32
Now let’s make the kangaroo’s ears.
Fold the left layer of its neck part to the right, and then make a mountain fold as shown by the red dotted line and a valley fold as shown by the black dotted line, so that the top point of this layer will naturally droop downwards [pictures 1 to 3]
Flip the paper from left to right, and fold the ears on this side in the same way.
Fold the right layer of its neck part to the left, and then make a mountain fold as shown by the red dotted line and a valley fold as shown by the black dotted line, so that the top point of this layer will naturally droop downwards [pictures 4 to 6]
Step 33
Fold its mouth along the dotted line, leaving a crease, and unfold it.
Step 34
Rotate the model 90 degrees and view the mouth part from the bottom right side. Slightly expand the mouth part, then fold the tip along the crease you made in the previous step. Flatten the fold and rotate the model 90 degrees from front to back.
Step 35
Fold up its foot along the black dotted line, leaving a crease, and unfold it.
Step 36
Rotate the paper 90 degrees from right to left, slightly expand this foot, then mountain fold the creases you created in the previous step and valley fold the crease indicated by the black dotted line. Flatten the fold and rotate the model 90 degrees from left to right.
Step 37
Flip the paper over from left to right.
Step 38
Shape this foot in the same manner.
Fold it up along the black dotted line, leaving a crease, and unfold it.
Step 39
Rotate the paper 90 degrees from left to right, slightly expand this foot, then mountain fold the creases you created in the previous step and valley fold the crease indicated by the black dotted line. Flatten the fold and rotate the model 90 degrees from right to left.
Both feet are folded.
Step 40
Rotate the model 180 degrees from left to right.
Step 41
Fold up the tail part to the left side, then fold it to the right side, crease it well, and unfold it completely.
Step 42
Rotate the model 90 degrees counterclockwise.
Step 43
Rotate it another 90 degrees from front to back. Slightly expand it from the bottom opening.
Mountain fold the creases indicated by the red dotted lines, and valley fold the creases indicated by the black dotted lines. Lift the tail along the vertical valley crease, and finally, flatten the fold.
Rotate the model 90 degrees clockwise, then another 90 degrees from left to right to lay it flat.
Step 44
Let’s shape its forelimbs.
Make two mountain creases shown by the curved red dotted lines, as you can see in the first picture. Turn over the paper from left to right, and make two curved mountain folds on this side.
This is the final shape of an origami kangaroo.
Like kangaroos, origami dinosaurs are unique creatures with distinct shapes. Our origami brachiosaurus features an adorable design that is great for those who enjoy a challenge.
In addition to this large animal, consider making an origami jumping frog. This classic piece of dynamic origami is enjoyable because when you finish, you can press the frog’s back to make it “jump.” Like the kangaroo, the folding process is full of fun and perfect for those who appreciate interactive origami.
Origami Dinosaur – Origami Brachiosaurus
Easy Origami Frog – Jumping Frog
What’s Next
That’s your cool origami kangaroo, now you can explore our other origami animal instructions. Happy folding!
