Easy Origami Heart Box Tutorial for Small Gifts (with Video)

Want to surprise someone with a sweet handmade gift? Learn to make this easy origami heart box with a simple step-by-step tutorial and video guide—perfect for small gifts and adding a special touch to any occasion.

Hello Craftaholics,

What type of gifts do you treasure the most? Some prefer expensive, store-bought ones, while others—like me—adore gifts with a personal touch. My partner feels the same way, which is why handmade creations hold such a special place in our hearts.

This week, we’re making something truly heartfelt—an adorable origami heart box! Imagine gifting someone this little box, lovingly folded by you, and filling it with sweet treats, tiny treasures, or even a handwritten note. It’s more than just a craft; it’s a beautiful way to show someone how much they mean to you.

Perfect for Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, birthdays, or “just because” moments, these heart boxes are simple, practical, and oh-so-charming. All you need is two square pieces of paper and a little patience. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned crafter, this project is sure to bring a smile to someone’s face. Let’s get started and fold some love into paper!

How to Make a Heart Necklace with Wire

Step by Step Instructions for Origami Heart Box

Step 1: Preparing the Papers

We need to prepare 2 pieces of square papers for this craft; one for the box and one for the lid. Prepare a 14cm x 14cm sheet for the box and a 15cm x 15cm sheet for the lid. The paper prepared for the lid should be slightly bigger than the other sheet, otherwise you won’t be able to fit the lid to the box.

Step 2: Diagonal Valley Fold

Take any of the square sheets and fold it in half, diagonally. Unfold the diagonal fold and it will leave a diagonal crease to the sheet.

Step 3: Basic Half Folds/ Creases

Fold the sheet in half diagonally along the opposite side and unfold again. Now make vertical and horizontal half folds. Unfold both folds. We should now have 2 half diagonal creases, a vertical half crease and a horizontal half crease on the square sheet.

Step 4: Fold in an Open Corner

Hold any one of the open corners and fold it in. Join the corner to the center of the square sheet (where all the half creases intersect).

Step 5: Fold the Diagonal Side Inwards

We will work on the same side again. Fold in the diagonal open side and align it with the parallel diagonal baseic crease.

Step 6: Fold and Unfold

Similarly, fold the opposite side of the square sheet. Now, unfold both sides and bring the sheet back to the square shape. The last few folds have left parallel, diagonal creases. These creases will be used as guidelines to make the heart shaped box.

Step 7: Prepare the Other Half of Parallel Creases

Rotate the sheet to 90 degree to work on the intact corners and sides. Fold in the open corner and join it to the3 center of the square sheet like we did before.

Step 8: Fold the Other Side

After joining the corner to the center, there should be a diagonal side; fold in and align the diagonal side with the parellel diagonal crease. Similarly, fold the opposite side of the origami pattern.

Step 9: Unfold the Outer Folds

Instead of unfolding the entire pattern, unfold the 2 outer sides only. Watch the video instruction if you’re confused about this step.

Step 10:

Let’s work on the left open side. Notice the diagonal creases to the side? Fold the pattern inwards along the diagonal crease. Fold in both diagonal creases of that sideand it should build up that side of the box.

Step 11: Secure the Side of the Box

After folding in the diagonal sides of the left side, there should be an open corner to that side. Fold it inwards and alignt the rectangle part of it with the left side of the box and align the triangle part with the left-bottom part of the box.

Step 12: Complete the Origami Box

Similarly, fold in and align the right open corner of the origami patter. The origami box is complete; now we will move to the next step and shape it into a heart box!

Step 13: Hold the Origami Box Correctly

Hold the origami box with your non-dominant hand. Hold it with your thumb and your indext finger as shown in this video instruction.

Step 14: Smudg-in the Corner

This step is very tricky but it is also very important and satisfying when you get it done correctly. Hold the box firmly and use your dominant hand to push in an open corner of the box inwards. Do not push the corner all the way in, push it halfway in.

Step 15: Give Neat Finishing

Make a neat mountain fold along the diagonal line shown in the previous step. Push the corner in and make a neat valley fold along it. This will form the top part of the heart shape.

Step 16: The Heart Shaped Box

This is how the origami heart box should look like from both sides (front and back). You can keep the heart shaped box as it is or you can go to the next step and try a kirigami technique to bring out a neater heart shape.

Step 17: Cut a Slit

To give the heart a more neater shape, you can follow this step. Cut a slit along the top middle part (the flat part) of the origami heart box.

Step 18: Fold in Both Sides of the Slit

Fold up and glue both sides of the slit to complete the heart shape. Allow the glue to dry and meanwhile, you can craft the lid.

Step 19: Putting on the Origami Lid

Watch Origami Heart Box Video Tutorial on YouTube:

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Helpful Tips for Crafting Your Origami Heart Box Perfectly

Choose the Right Paper
Use square paper that’s not too thick or thin. Craft or origami paper works best for clean folds. Avoid very thin or thick paper as it can tear or won’t fold neatly.

Work on a Flat Surface
Always fold on a smooth, flat surface for neat and precise creases. It makes the folding process easier and the box more polished.

Make Sharp Creases
Use your fingernail or a ruler’s edge to press down firmly on each fold. Sharp creases are key for a neat, professional-looking heart box.

Measure and Cut Correctly
For the lid, cut the paper 1cm larger than the box’s base sheet. This ensures the lid fits perfectly!

Practice with Scrap Paper First
If you’re new to origami, practice with scrap paper first. Once you’ve got the hang of it, use your favorite paper for the final version.

Be Gentle When Folding
Apply gentle pressure when folding, especially with delicate paper. Too much force can tear or crumple your paper.

Add a Personal Touch
Once your heart box is done, decorate it with stickers, small embellishments, or a handwritten note to make it even more special!

Don’t Worry About Mistakes
Mistakes happen—just unfold and try again. The more you fold, the better you’ll get at it!

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
• How to Make Origami Bear

We hope you had fun crafting this adorable origami heart box! Whether you’re using it as a gift box, a keepsake holder, or simply as a cute decoration, it’s sure to spread a little love and joy.

If you enjoyed this tutorial, don’t forget to share your creations with us! Tag us on Instagram or Facebook using #thecraftaholicwitch. We’d love to see how your heart boxes turned out! Until next time, happy crafting! ❤️✨