How To Make an Origami Inflatable Bunny

Save some energy for the end of this process—you'll need it to puff the breath of life into your adorable little bunny.

To complete this How-To you will need:

A sheet of square origami paper (6" x 6" / 15 cm x 15 cm)
A flat surface

Step 1: Fold the edges to the opposite sides and unfold

With the colored side up, fold one edge to the opposite edge, then unfold. Rotate the paper and do the same with the other two edges.

Step 2: Flip the paper over and fold corner to opposite

Turn the paper over to the white side and fold one corner to the opposite corner. Unfold.

Step 3: Rotate the paper and repeat

Rotate the paper and repeat with the other two corners. Do not unfold.

Step 4: Collapse into an upside-down pyramid

You should have an overall triangular shape with creases that form a "V" on either side of the center vertical crease. Pick up the model and hold it with your fingers on either side of the "V." Gently bring your hands together allowing the paper to collapse into an upside-down pyramid shape.

Step 5: Place on table

Place the model back down on the table and arrange it so that there are two flaps on each side and the closed point is at the top.

Step 6: Fold bottom corners up

Working only on the front flaps, fold the bottom right and bottom left corners up to the top point.

Step 7: Fold one top corner to create landmark crease

To mark the center of the model, fold ONE of the top corners to the bottom and then crease, creating a landmark for the next step, and unfold.

Step 8: Fold corners to meet at landmark crease

On the top layer, you should now have a diamond shape. Fold the right and left corners of the diamond to meet in the middle at the landmark.

Tip: You should now have two little triangles, the top edge of which has two layers. These form pockets that will be used later to lock the model.

Step 9: Fold top corners to cover pockets

Keeping the pockets in place, fold the two top corners down and out to the side, covering the pockets.

Step 10: Fold outer corners to center

Fold these outer corners to the center to meet. You should now have two tiny triangles covering the pockets.

Step 11: Tuck triangles into pockets

Gently tuck these triangles INTO the pockets, forming a lock. The top layer of your model should now be a lozenge-shaped hexagon.

Step 12: Flip model over

Turn the model over to the plain pyramid shape.

Step 13: Fold long sides to center

Fold down each of the long sloping sides to align on the center vertical crease.

Step 14: Form upside-down triangle

Pivoting on the lower right corner, grasp the bottom right flap and fold it over to the right. You will form an upside-down triangle with a top edge parallel to the bottom of the model.

Tip: You may need to adjust the fold using the pivot before creasing into place.

Step 15: Repeat on left side

Repeat on the left side. You should now have an overall boat shape with a large sail.

Step 16: Fold bottom right edge to center

Pivoting at the bottom of the center vertical crease, fold the bottom right edge of the boat to lie on the center vertical. Repeat on the left side.

Step 17: Arrange four flaps into "+" sign

Keeping these flaps in place, pick up the model and look at it from the bottom—arrange the four flaps of the model into a "+" sign.

Step 18: Puff into small hole

There's a small hole in the center of the plus sign (+). Give a strong short puff into the hole to bring your bunny to life!