Whales are lovely subjects for origami because they are so recognisable: give a folded shape a rounded body and an upturned tail, and everyone knows exactly what it is. This little one is also three-dimensional, so it does not just lie flat, it stands up on a table and looks like it is swimming.

It is a genuinely quick fold, the sort of thing a child can finish in a few minutes and then immediately want to make again. The squash folds halfway through are the only part that needs a little care, and once those are done the rest falls into place. Try making one from a big sheet and one from a small sheet, and you have a parent and child pair, which is charming on a shelf.

Here is a whale folded from origami paper. I will explain how to fold it step by step with photos, so have a look if you like.

How to fold a whale with origami

Hello everyone, and thanks for stopping by.

Today I will show you how to fold a whale from origami paper.

My little girl is always delighted when she spots a big fish on a trip to the aquarium.

I think plenty of children love big whales too.

This whale turns out three-dimensional and stands up on its own.

It is very easy to fold and comes together in no time, so even children can make one without any trouble.

Do give an origami whale a try.

The finished whale

When it is finished, you will have a whale like the one in the photo above.

It has a three-dimensional finish, which makes it very cute.

Because it stands up by itself, you can simply set it on a table and display it.

It is also charming to fold one from large paper and one from small paper, and keep them together as a parent and child whale.

Have fun folding an origami whale and playing with it.

How to fold a whale

STEP 1. First, fold the paper into a triangle, then open it out again once you have a crease down the center.

STEP 2. Fold the top and bottom of the left side in towards the center line.

STEP 3. Next, fold the top and bottom of the right side in towards the center.

STEP 4. Open the top out into a triangle as shown and flatten it down. It is easier if you think of pulling the paper inside outwards and squashing it so that the tip forms a triangle.

STEP 5. Open the bottom the same way and flatten it down.

STEP 6. Turn the model over.

STEP 7. Fold the top and bottom slightly.

STEP 8. Fold the left side.

STEP 9. Fold the model in half.

STEP 10. Fold the triangular part back. Fold the back side the same way.

STEP 11. Fold the tail upwards and the whale is complete!