What age is this origami Pteranodon for?

About Age 10+. It is rated “Challenge” (level 4 of 5), with 22 steps, and takes about 30 minutes.

What paper do I need?

1 sheet of origami paper colored the same on both sides (the inner sides of the wings show too) No scissors or glue are needed.

What is it called in Japanese?

In Japanese it is “プテラノドン”. 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.

★★★★Challenge AnimalsOriginal

How to make an origami PteranodonプテラノドンPteranodon

The challenge version of a Pteranodon with a crested head and huge wings. Fold the neck, head and legs from a bird base, then spread the wings to make it 3D.

22 steps
about 30 min
1 sheet of origami paper colored the same on both sides (the inner sides of the wings show too)
Age 10+

How to fold

三角に折る
Fold in half to make a triangle.
さらに半分の三角に折る
Fold in half again.
袋を開いて、四角につぶす
Open the pocket and squash it into a square.
うらがえす
Turn it over.
こちらも袋を開いて、四角につぶす（正方基本形）
Squash this side into a square, too. This is the preliminary base.
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 lower edges to the center line and unfold.
上の三角を折って、折りすじをつける
Fold the top down and unfold.
1まいめを下から持ち上げて、ふちを折りすじで内側へ（花弁折り）
Lift the bottom corner of the top layer and fold the sides in along the creases (petal fold).
上の折りすじが「ちょうつがい」。左右のふちがまん中でぴたりと合うように、ゆっくり持ち上げます。
うらがえす
Turn it over.
こちらも、下のふちをまん中に合わせて折りすじをつける
Fold the lower edges to the center line and unfold.
こちらも花弁折り（鶴の基本形）
Petal fold this side, too. This is the bird base.
下のふちを、まん中の線に合わせて折って、うらがえす
Fold the lower edges to the center line, then turn it over.
こちらも、下のふちをまん中の線に合わせて折る
Fold the lower edges to the center line on this side, too.
左下の先を、中わり折りで上へ（首）
Inside reverse fold the lower left point up to make the neck.
右下の先を、中わり折りでななめ下へ（足）
Inside reverse fold the lower right point out and down to make the legs.
首の先を中わり折りして、頭をつくる
Inside reverse fold the tip of the neck to make the head.
頭の先を中わり折りで返して、とさかをつくる
Inside reverse fold the tip of the head back to make the crest.
頭の先を頭の中へ返すと、先が頭のうしろから出て、とさかになります。
足を段折りして、少し下へ向ける
Crimp the legs so they point down a little.
足の先を、中わり折りで下へ（足先）
Inside reverse fold the tip of the legs down to make the feet.
手前のつばさを、つけねで折って折りすじをつける
Fold the front wing down at its base and unfold to make a crease.
しっかり折りすじをつけておくと、あとでつばさがきれいに広がります。
うしろのつばさも、同じように折りすじをつける
Crease the back wing in the same way.
つばさを左右に広げる
Spread the wings out to the sides.
つばさのつけ根を持って、ゆっくり左右に開きます。胴が少しふくらみます。
できあがり！つばさを左右に広げたら、プテラノドンのできあがり！糸でつるすと、空を飛んでいるように見えます。
Finished! Spread the wings out to the sides. Your Pteranodon is finished! Hang it on a thread and it looks like it is flying.

Fun fact

プテラノドンは、恐竜と同じころに空を飛んでいた「翼竜」のなかまで、恐竜ではありません。つばさを広げると7メートルにもなり、頭のうしろに長いとさかがありました。

Pteranodon was a pterosaur, a flying reptile that lived at the same time as the dinosaurs. It was not a dinosaur. Its wings could reach about 7 meters across, and it had a long crest on the back of its head.

Origami English in this model

❓ FAQ

What age is this origami Pteranodon for?: About Age 10+. It is rated “Challenge” (level 4 of 5), with 22 steps, and takes about 30 minutes.
What paper do I need?: 1 sheet of origami paper colored the same on both sides (the inner sides of the wings show too) No scissors or glue are needed.
What is it called in Japanese?: In Japanese it is “プテラノドン”. 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.