How to Fold an Origami Shrimp

Today, we’ll fold a lifelike shrimp, complete with its iconic long antennae and curled body. This project is perfect for beginners. You only need one square sheet of paper.

We’ll use basic folds to start, and the magic happens with the pleat fold. This is a simple technique that creates the shrimp’s segmented body.

PS, I once used a piece of red paper to make an “origami cooked shrimp”, that’s really funny! So, let’s begin this interesting folding journey together.

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: 15×15 cm
Total steps: 11
Difficulty: Easy

Material

To fold an origami shrimp approximately 15 cm in length, including its antennae, you will need:

One 15 × 15 cm square of origami paper.
A pair of scissors (for shaping the antennae).

Step by Step Instructions

Step 1

Place the paper in a diamond shape with the desired display side face down. Fold the paper in half horizontally, leave a crease, and unfold it.

Step 2

Fold both the top left and bottom left edges to align with the horizontal crease. Repeat this one more time.

Step 3

Fold both the top right and bottom right edges to align with the horizontal crease, crease them sharply, and unfold.
Unfold the second fold only of the left side.

Step 4

Fold the paper in half horizontally from top to bottom.
Next, we will make the antenna: Cut carefully along the marked red dotted line through both layers. This will separate the two antenna strips.
Gently cut along the edge to make them as narrow as possible.

Step 5

Unfold and lift the top layer upward to open the paper. Refold the model along all four pre-creased edges. Start by folding the left edges in first.

Step 6

Fold the right corner toward the left, then fold it back to the right to form a zigzag. Next, fold the model in half horizontally from top to bottom.

Step 7

Cut a small corner off the top of the right triangle.

Step 8

Unfold and lift the top layer upward to open the paper. Thread the antenna through the hole you just cut.

Step 9

Create a zigzag by folding the corner right, then left. Repeat this right-left motion one more time. Then, fold this corner to the right again.

Step 10

Fold this corner back to the left. Then, repeat the complete right-left sequence one final time. Finally, fold the model in half horizontally from top to bottom.

Tip: For a clean and uniform result, ensure each segment of the fold is as equal in width as possible.

Step 11

Now, gently pull down and curve each section of the body with your fingers. This will create a natural bend, forming the final curled shape of your origami shrimp.

Draw an eye on each side to make it more lifelike.