There is something quietly festive about folding a sleigh out of a single square of paper — no scissors, no glue, just creases. This simple origami sleigh is a step up from the quick holiday folds, which is exactly what makes it fun.

It starts from a proper 8x8 matrix base and walks you through a crease pattern, so it is a great project if you have folded a few models already and want something a bit more deliberate. Pour a cup of cocoa, clear some table space, and let's build a tiny sleigh together.

This page is for anyone who wants instructions for folding a simple origami sleigh.

This simple origami sleigh starts from an 8x8 matrix base. You will need to apply a simple crease pattern (CP) for this model.

Before attempting this model, you should know what a valley fold and a mountain fold are. Even if you are familiar with these two techniques, it is still recommended for people with experience folding many origami models.

If you are ready, then let’s get started.

You may use any kind of paper to fold this origami sleigh. Make sure the paper you use is a square (all sides equal and all angles 90 degrees). The paper I am using here is typical 15 cm x 15 cm origami paper.

This is the front side of the paper that I am using for this instruction. The paper is a typical origami paper.

This is the back side of the paper.

Step 1

Let us start with a square paper. Prepare to apply a diagonal valley-fold and then unfold.

Step 2

Apply the diagonal valley-fold from step 1 and then unfold. Prepare to apply a diagonal valley-fold and then unfold.

Step 3

Apply the diagonal valley-fold from step 2 and then unfold. Prepare to rotate the paper by 45 degrees.

Step 4

Rotate the paper by 45 degrees. Prepare to apply a cushion-fold and then unfold.

Step 5

Apply the cushion-fold from step 4 and then unfold. Prepare to apply four horizontal valley-folds and then unfold.

Step 6

Apply the four horizontal valley-folds from step 5 and then unfold. Prepare to apply four vertical valley-folds and then unfold.

Step 7

Apply the four vertical valley-folds from step 6 and then unfold. You have just completed making an 8x8 matrix base.

Step 8

Prepare to apply two horizontal mountain-folds.

Step 9

Apply the two horizontal mountain-folds from step 8. Prepare to apply the crease pattern (CP) shown on the left.

Step 10

Start applying the CP from step 9.

Step 11

Complete applying the CP from step 9. Prepare to fold two flaps following the arrow directions.

Step 12

Fold the two flaps. Prepare to rotate the model by 90 degrees.

Step 13

Rotate the model by 90 degrees. Prepare to rotate the model by another 90 degrees.

Step 14

Rotate the model by 90 degrees. Prepare to apply a valley-fold and a mountain-fold.

Step 15

Apply the valley-fold and mountain-fold from step 14. Prepare to rotate the model by 180 degrees.

Step 16

Rotate the model by 180 degrees. Prepare to apply a valley-fold and a mountain-fold.

Step 17

Apply the valley-fold and mountain-fold from step 16. Prepare to rotate the origami sleigh model by 90 degrees.

Step 18

Rotate the origami sleigh model by 90 degrees. Prepare to apply a horizontal mountain-fold.

Step 19

Apply the horizontal mountain-fold from step 18.

Step 20

This is the top view of the origami sleigh model.

Step 21

This is the front view of the origami sleigh model.

Step 22

This is the back view of the origami sleigh model.

Step 23

Congratulations! You have completed a simple origami sleigh.