This tutorial is brought to you by Juice House’s Origami Blend! Grab a square piece of paper and follow along with our tutorial video on how to fold a paper rocket.
Video coming soon!
Step 1: Make the starting creases.
- With the white side facing up, fold corner to corner both ways, creasing toward you, then unfold each time.
- Fold in half top to bottom, creasing away from you, then unfold.
- Using those creases, push the side midpoints and top corner down to meet at the bottom middle.
Step 2: Create the waterbomb base.
- Lift one flap from each side up to the top point. Flip and repeat on the back.
Step 3: Squash the flaps.
- Open each point and press flat so it spreads evenly. Flip and repeat on the back.
Step 4: Prepare the petal folds.
- Fold left and right edges to the center to form a kite shape.
Step 5: Petal fold the four points.
- Lift each point, tuck its edges into the center, and flatten into a slim point — repeat for all four points.
Step 6: Fold the four points back down.
- Fold all four points down to the base, creasing toward you.
Step 7: Fold the edges into the interior.
- Fold the edges inward, tucking them in as far as they’ll go. Flip and repeat on the back.
Step 8: Swing the four points outward.
- Swing the four bottom points outward, pressing the pockets that form flat. Flip and repeat on the back.
Step 9: Fold the triangular region up.
- Fold the triangular section up and tuck it inside, creasing away from you. Flip and repeat on the back.
Step 10: Turn the page and make a swivel fold.
- Turn the top flap to the right and the bottom flap to the left.
- Fold the lower kite edges upward, creasing toward you — this pulls up the triangle’s pointed edges, forming pockets, so press those flat, too. Flip and repeat on the back.
- Fold the triangles inward, tucking them in and creasing away from you. Then, open the bottom and spread the four legs.
- You did it! Origami rocket completed.
If you enjoyed this activity and are interested in more origami fun, Juice House’s Origami Blend gets together weekly at the Carlson Library. You can find more info here.
