What age is this origami Dolphin for?

About Age 7+. It is rated “Medium” (level 3 of 5), with 6 steps, and takes about 8 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 “いるか”. 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 Sea LifeOriginal

How to make an origami DolphinいるかDolphin

A dolphin with a dorsal fin and a raised tail. It starts from the kite base, and the fin comes out from inside.

6 steps
about 8 min
1 sheet of origami paper
Age 7+

How to fold

上と下のかどを合わせて半分に折り、折りすじをつける
Fold in half, top to bottom, and unfold.
右の2つのふちを、まん中の線に合わせて折る（たこの形）
Fold the two right edges to the center line. This is the kite base.
下を上へ、半分に折る
Fold in half from bottom to top.
内がわの2まいの先を、上へ引き出すように折る（背びれ）
Fold the tips of the two inside flaps up, so they stick out at the top. This is the dorsal fin.
体を少し開いて、中の三角を上へ折ってから、また閉じます。
頭の上のかどを、うしろへ折る
Fold the top corner of the head behind.
右の先を、中わり折りで上へ（尾びれ）
Inside reverse fold the right point up to make the tail.
できあがり！目をかいたら、いるかのできあがり。波の絵の上でジャンプさせてみよう。
Finished! Draw an eye, and your dolphin is done. Make it jump over some paper waves!

Fun fact

いるかは魚ではなく、くじらのなかま。頭の上のあなで息をします。

A dolphin is not a fish. It is a kind of small whale, and it breathes through a hole on the top of its head.

Origami English in this model

❓ FAQ

What age is this origami Dolphin for?: About Age 7+. It is rated “Medium” (level 3 of 5), with 6 steps, and takes about 8 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 “いるか”. 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.