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Origami Sailboat

An easy origami sailboat for kids. Print the sheet, cut out the square and make two folds on the numbered lines. The pictures are printed so they land in the right place once it is folded: a striped sail on top and a blue hull with portholes on both sides.

The finished origami sailboat, folded from the printed sheet
The origami sailboat printable sheet: the square to cut out with numbered fold lines, and step pictures Free printable sheet (PDF) Download PDF

How to fold it

The fold lines and their numbers are printed on the sheet. Each picture shows the paper after that step.

  1. Origami Sailboat step 1: Cut out the square on the solid line.Step 1Cut out the square on the solid line.
  2. Origami Sailboat step 2: Fold back on line 1 to make a triangle. Keep the pictures outside.Step 2Fold back on line 1 to make a triangle. Keep the pictures outside.
  3. Origami Sailboat step 3: Fold the bottom up on line 2. Your sailboat is done!Step 3Fold the bottom up on line 2. Your sailboat is done!
  4. Origami Sailboat step 4: Turn it over. It is a boat on this side too.Step 4Turn it over. It is a boat on this side too.

Tips for folding with kids

  1. Print at actual sizePrint at 100 percent on US Letter paper so the lines and pictures line up.
  2. Cut on the lineCut just on the solid line. A little white at the edge is fine.
  3. Make sharp foldsFold right on the dashed line, then run a thumbnail along the fold.
  4. Go in number orderFold line 1 first, then 2, and so on. Lines with the same number are done together.

More origami to fold

The finished paper airplane Paper AirplaneThe classic dart, with stars on the wings.6 steps · free PDF The finished origami heart Origami HeartTen small folds, no turning over.5 steps · free PDF The finished paper fortune teller Paper Fortune TellerColor words, numbers and eight fortunes.4 steps · free PDF The finished origami cat face Origami Cat FaceFour folds. Pointed ears, whiskers and stripes.4 steps · free PDF The finished origami dog face Origami Dog FaceFour folds. Floppy ears and a black nose.4 steps · free PDF The finished origami fox face Origami Fox FaceFive folds. Ears, eyes and nose land in place.4 steps · free PDF

About this printable

Most origami starts with plain paper and a diagram to follow. This sheet puts the fold lines, their numbers and the picture right on the paper, so a child can fold it on their own. The picture is printed in pieces, each one where it ends up once the paper is folded, so it only comes together at the end.

More to fold: all the origami printables. More to make: step-by-step drawing lessons and coloring pages.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you make an easy origami boat?

Cut out the square, fold it in half from corner to corner with the pictures on the outside, then fold the bottom edge up on line 2 to make the hull. That is the whole boat.

Does the boat stay folded?

The hull flap can spring open a little. A dab of glue stick or a small piece of tape under the hull holds it shut.

What paper do I need?

Plain printer paper. Print the sheet on US Letter paper at 100 percent (actual size), then cut out the shape on the solid line. Thinner paper folds more easily than card stock.

Can I print it in black and white?

Yes. The pictures come out in gray and every fold works the same.

Why is the picture on the flat sheet in pieces?

Each part of the picture is printed where it lands once the paper is folded, so the flat sheet looks scrambled. Fold on the lines in number order and it comes together.