What age is this origami Butterfly for?

About Age 7+. It is rated “Medium” (level 3 of 5), with 10 steps, and takes about 10 minutes.

What paper do I need?

One sheet of square origami paper (15 cm / 6 in). No scissors or glue are needed.

What is it called in Japanese?

In Japanese it is “ちょうちょ（チャレンジ）” (蝶). The word origami (折り紙) itself means “folding paper”: ori = fold, kami = paper.

Can I print the instructions?

Yes. “Print the diagram” puts every step on one page (or a PDF), and the practice sheet has the crease lines printed on the paper. Free for home and classroom use.

★★★Medium Birds & BugsOriginal

How to make an origami Butterflyちょうちょ（チャレンジ）Butterfly (Challenge)

A butterfly with four wings, folded from the waterbomb base. Raise the wings at the end, and it looks like a butterfly resting on a flower.

★★Butterfly (Easy)

10 steps
about 10 min
1 sheet of origami paper
Age 7+

How to fold

白い面を上にして、2本のななめの線で、折りすじをつける
Start with the white side up. Fold in half on both diagonals and unfold.
うらがえす
Turn it over.
横半分に折って、折りすじをつける
Fold in half from bottom to top and unfold.
折りすじにそって、左右を内がわへ入れながら、三角にたたむ（ふうせんの基本形）
Bring the sides in along the creases and collapse into a triangle. This is the waterbomb base.
とがった方を下にしておきます。
上の1まいの左右のかどを、上のまん中から、ななめ下へ折る（下の羽）
Fold the left and right corners of the top layer down at a slant from the middle of the top edge. These are the lower wings.
かどの先が、三角のふちから少しとび出すように折ります。
下の羽の先を、少しうしろへ折って、まるくする
Fold the tips of the lower wings behind a little to round them.
上の羽の左右のかどを、うしろへ折る
Fold the outer corners of the upper wings behind.
まん中の下のかどを、うしろへ折る
Fold the bottom point behind.
たてのまん中で、うしろへ半分に折って、折りすじをつける
Mountain fold in half down the middle and unfold.
折りすじで少しだけ折って、羽を立てる
Fold a little along the crease so the wings stand up.
体のところを指でつまむと、羽がふわっと立ちます。
できあがり！体としょっかくをかいたら、ちょうちょのできあがり！花の上にとまらせてみよう。
Finished! Draw the body and the antennae, and your butterfly is finished! Let it rest on a flower.

Fun fact

ちょうの羽は、小さな「りんぷん（こな）」がならんで、色やもようができています。

A butterfly’s wings get their colors and patterns from tiny scales arranged like roof tiles.

Origami English in this model

❓ FAQ

What age is this origami Butterfly for?: About Age 7+. It is rated “Medium” (level 3 of 5), with 10 steps, and takes about 10 minutes.
What paper do I need?: One sheet of square origami paper (15 cm / 6 in). No scissors or glue are needed.
What is it called in Japanese?: In Japanese it is “ちょうちょ（チャレンジ）” (蝶). The word origami (折り紙) itself means “folding paper”: ori = fold, kami = paper.
Can I print the instructions?: Yes. “Print the diagram” puts every step on one page (or a PDF), and the practice sheet has the crease lines printed on the paper. Free for home and classroom use.