What age is this origami Firefly for?

About Age 3+. It is rated “First Fold” (level 1 of 5), with 3 steps, and takes about 4 minutes.

What paper do I need?

1 sheet of two-color origami paper (black and yellow) No scissors or glue are needed.

What is it called in Japanese?

In Japanese it is “ほたる”. 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.

★First Fold Birds & BugsOriginal

How to make an origami FireflyほたるFirefly

A firefly that glows as it flies on summer nights. The yellow back of the paper becomes its glowing tail.

3 steps
about 4 min
1 sheet of two-color origami paper (black and yellow)
Age 3+

How to fold

黒い面を上にして、下のかどを上へ折る（光るおしり）
Start black side up. Fold the bottom corner up to make the glowing tail.
左右のかどを、ななめにうしろへ折る（はね）
Fold the left and right corners behind at an angle to make the wings.
上のかどを、うしろへ折る（頭）
Fold the top corner behind to make the head.
できあがり！頭の赤いところと、目としょっかくをかいたら、ほたるのできあがり！黒い紙の上にならべると、夜空みたいです。
Finished! Draw the red patch on the head, the eyes and the feelers. Your firefly is finished! Put a few on black paper to make a night sky.

Fun fact

ほたるが光るのは、なかまに合図を送るため。きれいな水の川の近くにすんでいます。

Fireflies glow to send signals to each other. They live near rivers with clean water.

Origami English in this model

corner角
fireflyほたる
glow光る
night夜
river川

❓ FAQ

What age is this origami Firefly for?: About Age 3+. It is rated “First Fold” (level 1 of 5), with 3 steps, and takes about 4 minutes.
What paper do I need?: 1 sheet of two-color origami paper (black and yellow) No scissors or glue are needed.
What is it called in Japanese?: In Japanese it is “ほたる”. 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.