Make an Origami Balloon

With a square piece of paper, and some patience, you can fold a three-dimensional ball/balloon or cube that you can actually blow up like a little balloon. In fact, you can even fill it with water and make your very own water bomb!

Steps

Creating the Flaps

  1. Fold a square piece of paper diagonally, in both directions. The creases should make an "X" in the paper.[1]
    • Feel free to add a design to the paper so it appears once it is folded.
  2. Fold the paper in half. Do this by bringing the bottom portion of the paper to meet the top portion of the paper.
  3. Bring the upper right corner in as shown. Then, repeat this on the other side. Press down firmly on the folds.[2]
  4. Fold the flaps to the top. Then, flip the whole thing over and repeat the same steps on the other side to make a diamond shape.

Tucking the Flaps into the Folds

  1. Fold the right and left corners into the center of the diamond. Repeat this on the other side.
  2. Tuck the loose flaps into the folds you just made. Do this by folding a small triangle on each of the flaps and then tucking them into the folds. Repeat this for all four flaps.
    • If you have a hard time tucking the flaps into the folds, use tape to secure them to the folds.
    • You can also use a pencil to open the folds easily and to avoid damaging the flaps.
  3. Turn the folded paper to the end that does not have any flaps. Locate the hole in the center of this side.
  4. Blow into the hole. The ball should inflate - just remember to keep those flaps tucked in.
    • You might also need to loosen up the other folds a little bit for the ball to become round.
    • To make a water balloon, slowly fill the balloon with water via the small hole.[2]



Tips

  • The flaps at the end don't have to go completely into the edges of the paper. It will work fine if they just go halfway.
  • If you fail to make a good balloon on your first few tries, don’t worry. Simply get new paper and start again.
  • The bigger the paper the easier it SHOULD be.

Warnings

  • When throwing water bombs, be careful not to hit anyone in the face as this can cause serious injuries.
  • Paper cuts may occur.

Things You'll Need

  • A square piece of origami paper
  • Access to water (optional)

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Sources and Citations