What age is this origami Steamship 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 “きせん” (汽船). 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 Toys & GamesOriginal

How to make an origami SteamshipきせんSteamship

A big ship with a white cabin on top of a colored hull. It uses only straight folds.

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

How to fold

上のふちを、少しだけ下へ折る
Fold the top edge down a little.
上の2つの角を、うしろへ折る
Fold the two top corners behind.
下のふちを上へ折る（船体になる）
Fold the bottom edge up to make the hull.
上に白いところを 3cm くらいのこします。
船体の下の角を、ななめにうしろへ折る
Fold the bottom corners of the hull behind at a slant.
できあがり！えんとつと、まるいまどをかいたら、きせんのできあがり！けむりをかいてもいいね。
Finished! Draw the funnel and the round windows, and your steamship is finished! You can draw some smoke, too.

How to play

青い紙に波をかいて、船をうかべてみよう。港（みなと）や灯台（とうだい）をかくのもたのしいよ。

Draw waves on blue paper and float your ship on them. Try drawing a harbor and a lighthouse, too!

Fun fact

汽船（きせん）は、むかし、石炭（せきたん）をもやした蒸気（じょうき）の力で走った船です。

Long ago, steamships were moved by the power of steam made by burning coal.

Origami English in this model

corner角
edge辺（ふち）
ship船（ふね）
steam蒸気（じょうき）
funnelえんとつ（船の）
harbor港（みなと）

❓ FAQ

What age is this origami Steamship 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 “きせん” (汽船). 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.