What age is this origami Hot Air Balloon for?

About Age 5+. It is rated “Easy” (level 2 of 5), with 4 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 “ききゅう” (気球). 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 Toys & GamesOriginal

How to make an origami Hot Air BalloonききゅうHot Air Balloon

A hot air balloon floating in the sky. Start with a kite shape, then fold the corners to make it round.

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

How to fold

左右の角を合わせて半分に折り、折りすじをつける
Fold in half from left to right and unfold.
下の2つのふちを、まん中の線に合わせて折る
Fold the two bottom edges to the center line.
上の角と、左右の角を、うしろへ折る
Fold the top corner and the left and right corners behind.
まるい形に近づけます。
下の先を、うしろへ折る
Fold the bottom tip behind.
できあがり！もようと、下のかごをかいたら、ききゅうのできあがり！
Finished! Draw some stripes and the basket, and your hot air balloon is finished!

How to play

空の色の紙に雲をかいて、いろいろな色のききゅうをうかべよう。

Draw clouds on sky-blue paper and float balloons of many colors in the sky.

Fun fact

熱気球は、中の空気をバーナーであたためて、うかびます。あたたかい空気は、まわりの空気より軽いからです。

A hot air balloon flies because a burner heats the air inside. Warm air is lighter than the air around it.

Origami English in this model

unfold開く（元に戻す）
fold in half半分に折る
corner角
edge辺（ふち）
center line中心線
hot air balloon熱気球（ねつききゅう）
basketかご
floatうかぶ
sky空（そら）

❓ FAQ

What age is this origami Hot Air Balloon for?: About Age 5+. It is rated “Easy” (level 2 of 5), with 4 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 “ききゅう” (気球). 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.