What age is this origami Ghost for?

About Age 7+. It is rated “Medium” (level 3 of 5), with 12 steps, and takes about 12 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 “おばけ（チャレンジ）”. 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 Seasons & HolidaysOriginal

How to make an origami Ghostおばけ（チャレンジ）Ghost (Challenge)

A ghost with a round head, small arms and a wavy hem. You open four flaps of the waterbomb base to make the hem, so it is a little harder than the simple ghost.

★Ghost (First Fold)

12 steps
about 12 min
1 sheet of origami paper
Age 7+

How to fold

色の面を上にして、三角に折って折りすじをつける（2回）
Start with the colored side up. Fold in half diagonally and unfold. Do it both ways.
横半分に山折りして、折りすじをつける
Mountain fold in half from top to bottom, and unfold.
うしろへ折って開きます。ななめの折りすじと、向きが反対になります。
折りすじにそって、三角にたたむ（水風船の基本形）
Collapse along the creases into a triangle. This is the waterbomb base.
左右のふちのまん中を、内側へおしこみながらたたみます。
前の左右のかどを、上のかどに合わせて折る
Fold the bottom corners of the front layers up to the top corner.
うらがえす
Turn it over.
こちらも、左右のかどを上のかどに合わせて折る
Fold these corners up to the top, too.
上下をさかさまにする
Turn it upside down.
4まいのはねの先が、下にきます。
左右のかどを、ななめにうしろへ折る（体をほそく・小さな手）
Fold the left and right corners behind at an angle to make the body thin and leave small arms.
下に小さな先が残るように、ななめに折ります。これが手になります。
前の2まいの先を、少しだけ外へ開くように折る
Fold the tips of the two front flaps out just a little.
すその、うちがわのギザギザになります。
うらがえす
Turn it over.
前の2まいの先を、ななめ外へ開くように折る（すそ）
Fold the tips of the two front flaps out at an angle to make the wavy hem.
まん中の線の上のほうから、外へ開くように折ります。
上のかどを、うしろへ少し折って、頭を丸くする
Fold the top corner behind a little to round the head.
できあがり！目と口をかいたら、おばけのできあがり！すそのギザギザが、ふわふわとんでいるように見えます。
Finished! Draw the eyes and mouth, and your ghost is finished! Boo!

Fun fact

水風船の基本形は、紙ふうせんや、ほかのたくさんの作品のはじまりになる形です。

The waterbomb base is the starting shape of the paper balloon and many other models.

Origami English in this model

❓ FAQ

What age is this origami Ghost for?: About Age 7+. It is rated “Medium” (level 3 of 5), with 12 steps, and takes about 12 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 “おばけ（チャレンジ）”. 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.