Choose a person and colors
Start with who the card is for and what you want to say. Let your child choose colors and help with small folds where needed.
FOLD A LITTLE MESSAGE.
Origami greeting cards
A folded heart, a paper flower and a few words of your own. Make a birthday or thank-you card together, from choosing colors to writing the message.
Two finished-card craft ideas
These images illustrate craft ideas. Actual results may vary. The pictured English greetings can be replaced with your own words. The illustration is not to scale. For your own card, a front of 10.5 × 14.8 cm (an A5 sheet folded in half) is a starting point. Use 7.5 cm squares for the heart and tulip, and a 5 cm square for the leaf. Sizes below are estimates from the finished 3D geometry; paper thickness and folding vary. Lay out your own finished pieces before attaching.
What to prepare
An A5 sheet of cardstock, square origami paper, pens or colored pencils, and glue or double-sided tape. Use ready-cut squares, or have an adult measure and cut them. Folding these models needs no cutting or gluing; adhesive is for attaching them to the card. For a first try, fold from a 15 cm square before making a smaller version.
Three shapes for your card
18 STEPS · 3D INSTRUCTIONS
Heart
For birthdays or a thank-you. A 7.5 cm square makes a heart about 3.8 cm wide and 3.6 cm tall. Help hold the small corners while your child chooses the color and placement.
Start folding →
4 STEPS · 3D INSTRUCTIONS
Tulip
Four steps make the flower only. A 7.5 cm square gives an approximate width of 6.4 cm and height of 5.3 cm. Draw the stem on the card. A short sequence to try together.
Start folding →
20 STEPS · 3D INSTRUCTIONS
Leaf
A leaf to accompany the flower. A 5 cm square gives a front-view footprint around 4.4 by 5.6 cm. Practice on larger paper first because the creases are small, or let an adult fold the leaf.
Start folding →Make a card together
Leave room for the message
Fold an A5 sheet in half and arrange the origami on the front. Write before attaching so the paper shapes do not get in the way. Leave space around the edges and center fold.
Attach gently
Use a little glue or small pieces of double-sided tape on flat areas of the back. Avoid moving folds and pockets. Press gently, let dry and check that the card closes.
Ideas for a short message
For a birthday
Try “Happy Birthday!” or “Let’s have more adventures together.” Add the person’s name or something they enjoy.
To say thank you
Try “Thank you for playing with me” or “Thank you for listening.” Name one thing that made you happy.
If writing is tricky
Write down your child’s words and let them add a portrait or pattern. Put a name and date on the back as a reminder of the day.
New to folding? Explore the beginner guide →
Explore all origami models →