What age is this origami Santa Claus for?

About Age 7+. It is rated “Medium” (level 3 of 5), with 7 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 “サンタ（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 Santa Clausサンタ（チャレンジ）Santa Claus (Challenge)

Santa from his hat to his boots. You show the red and white sides of the paper in bands, then add a pleated belt and arms pulled out from behind.

★★Santa Claus Face (Easy)

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

How to fold

白い面を上にして、上のふちを手前に折る（ぼうしになる）
Start with the white side up. Fold the top edge down. This will be the hat.
紙の上から5分の1くらいのところで折ります。
下のふちを、手前に大きく折る（体になる）
Fold the bottom edge up a lot. This will be the body.
ぼうしと体の間に、白いところ（顔とおひげ）が残るようにします。
ぼうしの下のふちを、少し上へ折る（白いふち）
Fold the bottom edge of the hat up a little to make the white trim.
左右を、ななめにうしろへ折る
Fold the left and right sides behind at an angle.
上がせまく、下が広い山の形になります。
上の左右のかどを、うしろへ折って、ぼうしをとがらせる
Fold the top corners behind to make the hat pointed.
体のまん中で、段折りをする（ベルト）
Make a small pleat across the body. This is the belt.
上を少し下ろして、もどします。せまい段にしましょう。
うしろに折った紙の下のほうを、左右へななめに引き出す（うで）
Pull the lower part of the folded-back sides out at an angle to make the arms.
体のうしろの紙だけを、かたのところから外へ折ります。
できあがり！顔とおひげ、ベルト、ブーツ、手ぶくろをかいたら、サンタさんのできあがり！プレゼントのそばにかざろう。
Finished! Draw the face, beard, belt, boots and mittens. Your Santa is finished! Put him next to your presents.

Fun fact

サンタクロースは、むかしのトルコにいた聖ニコラウスという人がもとになったといわれています。

Santa Claus is said to be based on Saint Nicholas, a man who lived long ago in what is now Turkey.

Origami English in this model

pull引く（引っぱる）
pleat段折り
corner角
edge辺（ふち）
white side白い面（裏）
beardあごひげ
beltベルト
bootsブーツ・長ぐつ
mittensミトン（手ぶくろ）

❓ FAQ

What age is this origami Santa Claus for?: About Age 7+. It is rated “Medium” (level 3 of 5), with 7 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 “サンタ（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.