What age is this origami Pinwheel for?

About Age 7+. It is rated “Medium” (level 3 of 5), with 6 steps, and takes about 10 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 “かざぐるま” (風車). 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 Toys & GamesTraditional

How to make an origami PinwheelかざぐるまPinwheel

A pinwheel that spins in the wind. It is made from the windmill base, where you pull out the corners and squash them.

6 steps
about 10 min
1 sheet of origami paper
Age 7+

How to fold

たてと横に半分に折って、折りすじをつける
Fold in half both ways and unfold.
左右のふちを、まん中の線に合わせて折る
Fold the left and right edges to the center line.
上と下のふちを、まん中の線に合わせて折りすじをつける
Fold the top and bottom edges to the center line and unfold.
上のふちを折りすじで下へ折りながら、うらの角を左右へ引き出してつぶす
Fold the top edge down along the crease. At the same time, pull the inside corners out to the sides and flatten them.
角をつまんで外へ引き出すと、三角の羽ができます。
下も同じように、角を引き出してつぶす（風車の基本形）
Do the same with the bottom edge. This is the windmill base.
右上の羽を上へ、左下の羽を下へ折る
Fold the top right flap up and the bottom left flap down.
4まいの羽が、同じ向きにくるりと回るように。
できあがり！かざぐるまのできあがり！おとなの人に、まん中にピンをさして、わりばしやストローにとめてもらうと、くるくる回ります。
Finished! Your pinwheel is finished! Ask an adult to push a pin through the center and attach it to a stick or a straw. Then it can spin!

How to play

風に向けたり、ふーっと息をふきかけたりして、くるくる回してみよう。走ると、もっとよく回ります。

Hold it up to the wind or blow on it to make it spin. Run with it, and it spins even faster!

Origami English in this model

❓ FAQ

What age is this origami Pinwheel for?: About Age 7+. It is rated “Medium” (level 3 of 5), with 6 steps, and takes about 10 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 “かざぐるま” (風車). 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.