In this tutorial, I’ll show you how to fold a charming origami acorn using simple techniques that won’t frustrate you or your kids. This craft is perfect for anyone who wants to try origami without the stress, and it creates cute decorations you’ll actually want to display. Plus, I’ve included a complete video tutorial so you can see every fold in action.
Perfect for Fall table decorations, scrapbook embellishments, gift tags, journal pages, classroom activities, or stringing together a whole garland of mini acorns for your mantel.
Project at a Glance
Difficulty Level: Beginner-friendly (great first origami project)
Cost: Under $3 (uses paper you probably already have)
Time: 10-15 minutes per acorn
Ages: 8+ years independently, 5-7 with adult help for cutting
Perfect For
- Parents looking for quick Fall activities with kids
- Teachers needing simple seasonal classroom crafts
- Anyone intimidated by origami who wants an easy win
- Scrapbookers and journal enthusiasts wanting handmade embellishments
- Or just anyone wanting cute Fall decor without spending money
If you’ve had success with this project and want to try more beginner origami, check out my origami heart bookmark tutorial. It uses similar folding techniques and makes a sweet gift.
How to Make Origami Acorn
Things You’ll Need
Materials
- Colored craft paper for acorn body (5×5 inch square or larger, recommend 65-80 lb cover weight)
- Contrasting craft paper for acorn cap (small piece, any Fall color like brown, rust, or gold) – The cap gives your acorn that recognizable look. Choose a shade darker or lighter than your base for nice contrast.
- Assembly Supplies
- Craft glue or glue stick (glue stick preferred) – A thin, even layer of glue stick prevents paper wrinkling. Liquid glue works but use very sparingly.
Tools
- Sharp scissors – Dull scissors create jagged edges on your paper squares and cap pieces. Sharp craft scissors or paper trimmer give clean cuts.
- Ruler (optional but helpful) – Makes cutting perfect squares easier and helps create sharp creases when folding.
- Sharpies or fine-tip markers (optional) – Add cute details like a little face or texture lines on the acorn cap if you want extra personality.
Please note that the provided links may include affiliate links, which means that if you make a purchase through them, we may earn a small commission.
Step by Step Instructions: Origami Acorn
Step 1: Prepare Your Square and Create Guide Creases
Start with your colored craft paper and cut a perfect 5×5 inch square (or larger if you want a bigger acorn). Fold the square diagonally from corner to corner both ways, then unfold completely so you can see an X-shaped crease pattern. These diagonal creases are your guide for all the folds coming next.
Important: If your square isn’t quite perfect, your acorn will look lopsided. Use a ruler and make sure all four sides are exactly the same length before you start folding.
Step 2: Make the First Triangle Base
Take any corner of your square and fold it to meet the exact center point where your two diagonal creases cross. Then fold that same side inward along one of the diagonal creases you made earlier, lining it up neatly with the opposite diagonal crease line. You should now see a triangle shape starting to form.
Pro Tip: Press down hard on each crease with your fingernail or a ruler edge. Weak creases mean your acorn won’t hold its shape well.
Step 3: Make the Second Triangle Fold
Fold that same diagonal edge inward one more time, following the crease line you just created in step 2. Your paper should look like a long, skinny triangle now. Flip your paper over to the blank side so you’re ready for the next folds.
Note: Keep checking that your edges line up perfectly. If they’re off even a little bit, it gets worse with each fold.
Step 4: Create the Acorn Body Shape
Take the right corner of your triangle and fold it inward so the inner point touches the center crease line running down the middle. Do the exact same thing on the left side. Now you should see the classic rounded acorn body shape appearing.
Pro Tip: These two folds determine how plump or narrow your acorn looks. Fold them exactly to the center crease for a balanced shape.
Step 5: Form the Tiny Stem
Fold the top point of your shape outward at about a 45-degree angle to make the tiny stem where the acorn attaches to the tree. Then take both of the pointy corners at the closed end and fold each one inward about half a centimeter to round them out.
The stem angle is totally up to you. A straight stem looks neat, but a slightly tilted one looks more natural and cute.
Step 6: Round Out the Bottom
Cut a cap shape from your second color of paper (trace the top of your acorn and add about 1/4 inch all around for the cap overhang). Cut a tiny piece to cover the stem too if you want. Use your glue stick to attach both pieces carefully, and your origami acorn is complete!
Step 7: Attach the Acorn Cap
Cut a cap shape from your second color of paper (trace the top of your acorn and add about 1/4 inch all around for the cap overhang). Cut a tiny piece to cover the stem too if you want. Use your glue stick to attach both pieces carefully, and your origami acorn is complete!
Note: Apply glue super thin. Too much glue makes the paper wrinkle and look messy. A glue stick gives you way more control than liquid glue.
Watch the Origami Acorn Video Tutorial
If you’re having trouble following the written steps, don’t worry! I’ve prepared a complete step-by-step video tutorial on my YouTube channel where you can watch every single fold.
Tips for Beginners: Origami Acorn
Choose Paper Wisely – Thicker craft paper or standard origami paper works best. Regular printer paper is too thin and won’t hold creases well. Light cardstock is great too, but anything heavier than 80 lb gets hard to fold. Avoid glossy or coated paper because it’s slippery and won’t stay creased.
Master the Sharp Crease – Every single fold needs to be pressed down firmly. Run your fingernail along each crease or use a ruler edge. Weak creases mean your acorn will unfold itself and look sloppy. This is the number one mistake beginners make with origami.
Line Up Every Edge Perfectly – Even small misalignments compound with each new fold. Take an extra second to make sure corners meet exactly where they should. If something looks off, unfold and try again. It’s way easier to fix early than to start over at step 7.
Go Easy on the Glue – Too much glue creates wrinkles and visible wet spots. Use a glue stick instead of liquid glue, and apply the thinnest layer possible. You only need tiny dots in a few spots to hold the cap on.
Make It Your Own – Try different Fall color combinations (rust and gold, brown and orange, burgundy and tan). Add texture lines to the cap with a brown marker. Draw a tiny cute face on your acorn. Make mini 3-inch versions or giant 8-inch ones. Creating a variety makes your display way more interesting.
Practice Makes Progress – Your first acorn might not be perfect, and that’s totally fine. Make three or four in a row and you’ll see huge improvement. By your fifth one, you’ll be folding without even looking at the instructions.
Frequently Asked Questions: Origami Acorn Tutorial
Can I use regular printer paper instead of craft paper?
You can, but I don’t recommend it for your first attempt. Regular printer paper is thin and doesn’t hold creases as well, which makes the acorn look floppy. If printer paper is all you have, try folding each crease twice to make it stronger. Craft paper or origami paper gives much better results and isn’t expensive.
What age is appropriate for this origami acorn craft?
Kids 8 and older can usually handle this independently once you show them the first couple folds. Younger kids (5-7 years) can definitely do it with an adult helping and handling the scissors. The folding itself isn’t hard, but following the sequence takes some focus. It’s actually great for teaching kids to follow multi-step directions.
How long does this project take to complete?
Your first acorn will probably take 15-20 minutes as you figure out the folds. Once you’ve made one, you can crank out additional acorns in about 10 minutes each. If you’re making a bunch for decorating, set aside an hour and you’ll have 5-6 finished acorns.
What if my folds aren’t lining up right?
Stop and unfold back to the last step that looked correct. It’s always better to fix a mistake early than to keep going and end up with a wonky acorn. Make sure you’re folding precisely where the instructions say. Most alignment problems come from rushing the early diagonal creases in step 1.
Can I make these bigger or smaller than 5×5 inches?
Absolutely! The 5×5 inch size is just a good starting point. Try 3×3 inches for tiny acorns perfect for scrapbooking, or go up to 8×8 inches for dramatic decorations. Just keep your square perfectly square. The folding technique works the same at any size.
How do I store these acorns without crushing them?
Store them flat in a shallow box with tissue paper between layers, or string them up immediately so they hang. Don’t stack heavy things on top. The paper will flatten if you’re not careful, though you can usually re-crease the folds if that happens. They’re pretty sturdy once the cap is glued on.
What’s the best way to display origami acorns?
So many options! String them together with thread through the stem for a garland. Scatter them on your Fall table as place card holders. Glue them onto cards or journal pages. Attach them to gift wrap as embellishments. Hot glue magnets on the back for your fridge. Fill a clear bowl with a bunch of them for a centerpiece.
Can I use patterned paper for the acorn body or cap?
Definitely! Patterned paper adds personality. Woodgrain-print paper looks amazing for the cap. Fall-themed scrapbook paper works great. Just make sure the pattern isn’t so busy that you can’t see the acorn shape clearly. Solid base with patterned cap usually looks best.
Do I need to seal or protect these acorns?
Not really necessary for indoor decorations. If you want them extra durable (like for kids to play with), you can spray them lightly with an acrylic sealer, but test on a scrap piece first because some sealers make paper wrinkle. For most uses, the paper and glue are plenty sturdy.
What if I don’t have two different colored papers?
Use the same color for everything! Or color the cap with markers or colored pencils to create contrast. You can also leave the cap off entirely for a simpler version, though the cap really makes it look like an acorn. Get creative with what you have.
More Fall and Origami Crafts You’ll Love
If you enjoyed making origami acorns, here are other beginner-friendly projects to try:
More Simple Origami Projects:
- Origami Koi Fish – Another beginner fold that’s perfect for practicing your skills and looks beautiful displayed
- Realistic Origami Lotus Flower – A stunning project that looks complex but uses basic folding techniques
- Corner Bookmarks with Free Template – Perfect gift idea that uses simple origami-style folds
Beautiful Paper Flower Crafts:
- How to Make Small Paper Flowers – Delicate cosmos flowers that pair beautifully with Fall acorns
- DIY Crepe Paper Roses – Realistic roses perfect for Fall bouquets and decorations
- Tissue Paper Roses Tutorial – Budget-friendly flower craft using supplies you probably have
For even more seasonal inspiration, browse my complete collection of Fall craft tutorials. I have tons of beginner-friendly projects perfect for the whole family!
I absolutely love seeing what you create! When you finish your origami acorns, share them on social media and tag me with #thecraftaholicwitch so I can see your beautiful work and cheer you on.
Your acorns might even inspire other people who think they “can’t do origami” to give it a try!
Creative variations you can try:
- Rainbow acorns in non-traditional colors
- Tiny 2-inch versions for jewelry or keychains
- Giant statement acorns for your front porch
- Acorns with hand-drawn faces and personalities
- Metallic paper acorns for fancy Fall decor
Keep crafting, keep trying new things, and remember that perfect folds come with practice!
Happy Crafting!
