What age is this origami Kappa for?

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

How to make an origami KappaかっぱKappa

A green kappa with a plate on its head. Fold the top edge down, and a white plate appears.

4 steps
about 4 min
1 sheet of origami paper
Age 3+

How to fold

色の面を上にして、上のふちを少し折り下げる
Start with the colored side up. Fold the top edge down a little.
白いところが、頭のお皿になります。
左と右のはしを、うしろへ折る
Fold the left and right sides behind.
下のはしを、うしろへ折る
Fold the bottom edge behind.
4つのかどを、うしろへ折る
Fold the four corners behind.
上のかどを大きく折ると、白いお皿が丸くなります。
できあがり！くちばしと目、お皿のまわりのかみの毛をかいたら、かっぱのできあがり！
Finished! Draw the beak, the eyes and the hair around the plate. Your kappa is finished!

Fun fact

かっぱは、日本のむかし話に出てくる、川にすむようかいです。頭のお皿の水がなくなると、力が出なくなるといわれています。

A kappa is a water creature from old Japanese stories. It is said that a kappa loses its strength when the water in the plate on its head dries up.

Origami English in this model

corner角
edge辺（ふち）
colored side色の面（表）
plateお皿
beakくちばし
river川
cucumberきゅうり

❓ FAQ

What age is this origami Kappa for?: About Age 3+. It is rated “First Fold” (level 1 of 5), with 4 steps, and takes about 4 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 “かっぱ” (河童). 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.