How to Make a Cute Origami Bear (with Instructions & Video)

Learn how to make a cute origami bear with our easy step-by-step guide. Perfect for decorations, gift toppers, or just a fun craft with the kids. Follow along with the instructions and fold your own cute little bear today!

Hello Craftaholics! Last time, we made an origami panda together. Did you know pandas are actually bears? So we thought, why not make an origami bear this time? It’s part of our origami animal series!

Just like pandas, these origami bears are perfect for many occasions—think birthday party decorations, DIY gift toppers, greeting card add-ons, or even holiday ornaments! You can also make them as part of your mindfulness and meditation practice, folding each step with care and focus.

Kids love this project too! It’s a fun way to teach them patience and precision while they enjoy creating their own little bears.

If you’re ready to dive in, follow our easy steps (and video instructions if you need extra help). Grab some paper and let’s fold up some cuteness!

All you need is a sheet of paper (cut into squares from an A4 size), and don’t forget a sharpie to give your bear a cute face at the end. Ready? Let’s get started!

How to Make a Origami Bear

Step by Step Instructions

Step 1: Basic Crease

Prepare a piece of square paper.

Fold the paper in half, vertically, and then unfold it. This will leave a half crease.

Tips: When folding a sheet in half, it’s better to place it on a flat surface and make a valley fold. This way, the half-fold turns out neatly.

Step 2: Basic Folds

Fold both sides of the square sheet inside, along the half crease.

Fold the current pattern in half, horizontally, and then unfold it.

Tips: When folding the left and right sides along the half-crease, make sure not to overlap the crease. Keep the ends of the sheet adjacent but not overlapped.

Step 3: More Crease and Folds

Fold any one open side of the current pattern along the horizontal crease. Unfold the last fold and fold the pattern along the horizontal crease again. Watch the video of this step to understand the steps.

Step 4: Dividing the Head and Body Part

Fold the closed side of the current pattern inside, along the adjacent, parallel crease. Unfold the last fold. Fold out the top part along the last crease. There should be a thin flap along the middle of the current pattern. Watch the video of this step.

Step 5: Forming the Sides

Fold the top-right corner of the flap inside and then unfold it. Now, slightly open the right side along the last crease lines. Flatten the right side as shown in the video of this step.

Step 6: Folding the Body Part

Similarly, fold the left side of the current origami pattern.

Tips: Keep the folds on both sides even and symmetrical.

Step 7: Folding the Arms

Let’s work on the thin part of the current pattern. Fold the left side of the thin part, from the top-inner corner to the bottom-outer corner (a diagonal fold). Similarly, fold the right side. These will be the arms of the origami bear.

Turn the pattern to the other side.

Step 8: Working on the Bigger Part

Draw the square part to the opposite side.

Step 9: Folding Along the Lines

Fold the pattern along the white marked lines.

Step 10: Opening the Pattern

Unfold the last 2 folds. Slightly open the left side of the pattern and fold it along the last crease (created in the previous step).

Tips: This part might seem tricky, watch the video in the next step to understand clearly.

Step 11: Forming the Head Base

Similarly, fold the right side and straighten the pattern along vertical side creases. This should form a box-like pattern.

Step 12: Flattening the Head Part

Draw the square part towards the origami pattern. Bring out the diagonal sides and flatten them.

Step 13: Folding the Sides of the Head

Turn the pattern to the other side. Fold in the right side of the wide part along the vertical side crease.

Fold out top layer of the right side in half

Step 14: Forming the Ear Base

Unfold the last fold and then fold the outer corner inwards.

Unfold the last fold too.

Step 15: Forming the Ear Base

Unfold the corner. Fold the corner inwards along its crease. Fold out the right side, slightly away from its middle crease. Flatten the right side.

Step 16: Forming the Right Ear

Fold in the outer corner of the right ear. The right ear of the origami bear is ready.

Step 17: Form the Left Ear

Similarly, form the left ear of the origami bear. Fold in the bottom corners of the square part (head).

Turn the current origami pattern to the other side.

Step 18: Add Eyes, Nose, and Other Details

Cut out eye bases from white paper and use sharpies to draw eyes on them. Glue the eye cutouts to the head part. Use sharpies to draw the nose and mouth of the origami bear.

Watch Complete Video Tutorial:

Picture tutorials for origami crafts can be difficult sometimes but not to worry about that! We always try to keep video tutorials for our origami projects. Here’s the Origami Bear’s video tutorial and you can find the other tutorial on our YouTube channel. Don’t forget to hit the subscribe button and turn on the notification bell to stay updated.

Helpful Tips for Beginners

• Avoid using thick or stiff paper. Use medium light craft paper for this project. Because these papers are easier to fold and hold creases well.
• Always make sharp creases. Use your fingernail or a flat tool like a bone folder to ensure each fold is crisp and holds its shape.
• Use a square sheet for the origami bear craft.
• The more you practice, the better you’ll get. Try to fold a variety of models to improve your skills.
• Use sharpies and paper cutout eyes to make the origami bear look cuter!

Did you enjoy crafting the origami Bear? Here are some of our origami projects from our website that you may also like,

• How to make a traditional origami crane
• How to make an origami maple leaf
• How to make an origami bunny

Origami projects are great for any age and skill level, even for a weekend therapy session. We hope you like our origami bear tutorial and enjoy crafting them yourself. If you re-create our origami bear, please tag us on Facebook or Instagram (use #thecraftaholicwitch) and show us how you’re using or decorating the origami bear.

Happy Crafting!