How to Make Origami Balls

Learning how to make origami balls is a project that even children can master after a few tries. Paper folding is a fun way to create unique objects out of just a sheet of paper and a few magical twists and turns.

The best way to learn how to make origami balls to perfection, of course, is to practice and practice some more. Once you have mastered this beginner's origami ball you may decide paper folding is quite amazing and want to make a more detailed ball. After you have created a few origami balls and have gotten the hang of paper folding, you may also choose to use the origami balls as party decorations or favors, or decorate them and hang them on your Christmas tree.

Making Origami Balls
For this paper folding project, you'll want to use a square sheet of paper. It doesn't matter what size the sheet is, but it is easier to make an origami ball out of a larger sheet of paper because as the folds decrease the paper becomes harder to control.

Fold the paper in half at a diagonal so that it forms a triangle. Press the fold down firmly to create a sharp crease. Unfold.
Fold the paper from the other side in the same manner. If you have done the steps correctly, you will now have a large X creased across the middle of the square.
Place the paper on the table in front of you with the right side of the paper facing up. Now pinch in the sides (there should be no crease on the sides you pinch in) until the paper naturally folds to form a triangle on top and a triangle on the bottom. Push the top triangle down, and once you have made sure the edges and points have come together nicely, press the paper down and crease.
Label the points A, B, and C. Take the first layer of point C up to the top of the triangle, to point B, and crease. Repeat the process with point A. If you have done the steps correctly, you will have a diamond shape over the large triangle beneath.
Flip the paper and repeat the process.
Fold the first layer of the right point of the diamond inward to the center line. Repeat the step on the left side. These points will be the pockets that will be needed in the next step.
Now take point A and fold it down to the center line and crease firmly. Insert the tip of this point into the pocket on that side. Repeat the procedure with point B.
Flip the diamond and repeat this step.
You now have a diamond shape. Find the end of the diamond that has a hole in it and gently blow into the hole. If you have done the steps correctly, the paper will expand and form an origami ball.

Because the folds are crisp and the creases are firm, often you will need to loosen some of the folds in order for the ball to inflate properly.