What age is this origami Puffed Sparrow (Fukura-suzume) for?

About Age 5+. It is rated “Easy” (level 2 of 5), with 3 steps, and takes about 5 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 “ふくらすずめ” (ふくら雀). 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.

★★Easy Japanese TraditionOriginal

How to make an origami Puffed Sparrow (Fukura-suzume)ふくらすずめPuffed Sparrow (Fukura-suzume)

A sparrow puffed up into a round ball to keep warm in winter. This is a chubby sparrow seen from the side.

3 steps
about 5 min
1 sheet of origami paper
Age 5+

How to fold

色の面を上にして、下のかどを、まん中の少し左上まで折る
Start with the colored side up. Fold the bottom corner up to a point a little above and to the left of the center.
白いところが、ふっくらしたおなかになります。
上のかどを、うしろへ折る
Fold the top corner behind.
左のかどを、うしろへ折る
Fold the left corner behind.
頭がまるくなります。右のかどは、しっぽになります。
できあがり！目とくちばし、ほっぺの黒いもようと羽をかいたら、ふくらすずめのできあがり！
Finished! Draw the eye, the beak, the black cheek spot and the wing. Your puffed sparrow is finished!

Fun fact

すずめは寒くなると、羽のあいだに空気を入れてふくらみ、あたたかくします。まるい「ふくらすずめ」は、えんぎのよいもようとしても使われます。

When it gets cold, sparrows fluff up their feathers to trap warm air. The round "fukura-suzume" is also used as a lucky design in Japan.

Origami English in this model

corner角
colored side色の面（表）
feather羽（はね）
warmあたたかい
roundまるい
wingつばさ

❓ FAQ

What age is this origami Puffed Sparrow (Fukura-suzume) for?: About Age 5+. It is rated “Easy” (level 2 of 5), with 3 steps, and takes about 5 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 “ふくらすずめ” (ふくら雀). 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.