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Check out these easy origami star ideas with tutorials that you can use as ornaments, garlands, wall hangings, ordecorate wrapping gifts. Origami stars are popular for many reasons. Paper is an easy-to-handle and inexpensive material that everyone has at home with various options from wrapping and kraft to cardboard. Plus, there are so many paper star tutorials that it’s impossible not to find one DIY project that is ideal for you.
Below are 10 easy star designs, each with a short materials list and a clear step‑by‑step tutorial. Read through one full tutorial before folding and use thin, crisp paper, such as origami paper, printer paper cut to size, or paper strips for lucky stars.
1
Lucky Star
Lucky star is an easy paper strip puff star and you will need 1 paper strip 1.5 cm × 20–25 cm (or 3/8″ × 8–10″).
Take the strip and make a short fold (about 1 cm) at one end to form a small pentagon base; tuck the tail through to lock it into a tiny loop.
Flatten that loop into a 5‑sided knot (sharp creases), creating a small pentagon with the tail along one edge.
Fold the long tail neatly around the pentagon, wrapping it along each edge until only a tiny bit of tail is left. Tuck the leftover tail into the last fold so it’s secure.
Hold the pentagon flat, then gently press the center of each of the five pentagon edges inward with your thumbnail to “puff” the star. Rotate and puff each side until the star becomes plump and 3‑D.
2
Puffy 3D Five‑Point Star
Make a puffy 3D five‑point star with just one square sheet (10–15 cm).
Start with square, color side down. Fold diagonally both ways and unfold to get both diagonals.
Fold top edge to center, bottom edge to center; unfold. Then fold left and right edges to center; unfold so you have a grid of creases.
Collapse into a waterbomb base by bringing two opposite corners together, letting the other corners fold in to form a flat triangle with two layers.
From the triangle, fold the lower left and right corners up to the top point, repeat on both layers so you get kite shapes.
On one kite section, fold its narrow tip back outward to form a point; repeat on all five sections (you’ll rotate/adjust to create five visible points).
Gently open and curve each point slightly so the star puffs. Reinforce creases to hold shape.
3
Classic Five‑Point Flat Star
The classic five‑point flat star is an easy origami star from a square sheet (12–15 cm).
Fold square in half vertically; unfold. Fold both left and right edges to that center crease; unfold.
Fold bottom edge up to meet center horizontal line; fold top edge down to meet center; unfold so you have a grid.
Turn paper over. Fold each corner to the nearest grid intersection so corners meet near the center, forming a smaller octagon.
Fold alternating points (every other corner) toward center to start the star points; fold the remaining corners behind to lock.
Adjust and sharpen the five points; flatten gently to keep a flat star.
4
Four‑Point Star
The four‑point Star is a simple decorative star that you can make with one square sheet (10–15 cm).
Fold square diagonally in both directions and unfold so you have an X crease.
Continue folding top to center and bottom to center; then fold left to center and right to center to make a small square.
Fold the small square in half horizontally and vertically, unfolding each time to create more creases.
Pull opposite midpoints outward and fold corners in to create four clear triangular points; flatten and sharpen creases.
Tidy each point so they look symmetrical; optionally curl tips slightly for dimension.
5
Eight‑Point Star
The eight‑point star is a modular 8‑unit paper star with 8 identical square sheets (6–8 cm).
Make 8 identical modules: for each square, fold in half diagonally, unfold, fold edges into the center crease from both sides to make a kite; fold tip back to lock.
Arrange 8 modules in a circle; insert the flap of one module into the pocket of the next. Continue around until all 8 interlock.
When last module is tucked into first, gently compress the ring so all modules align and point tips radiate outward as 8 points.
Tighten all pockets and reinforce creases so the modular star stays together.
6
Origami Ninja Star (shuriken)
The origami Ninja star (shuriken) is an easy 8‑point using two rectangles rectangles (A4 cut in half lengthwise or two 8.5×4.25″ pieces).
Fold each rectangle in half lengthwise and unfold; fold both short ends to the center crease to form narrow strips; fold in half again lengthwise.
On each folded strip, fold one end up and one end down diagonally so each strip forms two triangular wings (mirror them so one becomes the left half, the other the right half).
Slide the triangular halves together: one strip’s wing tucks into the other strip’s pocket. Repeat interlocking the other wings until you form a flat 8‑point star.
Tighten and flatten, sharpening all points.
7
Star Corner Bookmark
Make a star corner bookmark with one square (10–12 cm).
Fold square in half diagonally to form triangle.
Then, fold the right and left corners of the triangle up to the top point so you have a diamond shape.
Continue by folding the top small triangle down over those flaps, tuck it behind the front pockets, creating a pocket.
Lastly, fold the topmost small flap outward and shape it into a star point (fold corners back and make small triangular folds) so the visible part looks like a star while the pocket slips over a page corner.
8
Simple Star Garland Link
Create a simple star garland link with chain stars from strips. You will need several paper strips 1.5 × 20 cm. Alternatively, you can use paper strips with different lengths to create stars with various sizes.
Make a lucky star from one strip (see tutorial 1) but stop before puffing.
For the next star, wrap its strip around the previous star’s loop before tucking the tail to close it so the two are linked.
Repeat: make each new star around the previous star’s loop, tucking and locking as you go.
After making desired number, puff each star slightly for a charming garland. Thread a ribbon through linked loops if you want to hang it.
9
Kusudama Star Flower
The Kusudama star flower is a modular 5‑unit flower star that you can make using 5 paper squares (6–8 cm).
Make 5 identical petals: fold square in half diagonally, fold bottom corners up to meet top, fold side flaps into center, forming a pointed petal with a small pocket at the base.
Arrange 5 petals in a circle, inserting the point of each petal into the pocket of the next so they interlock.
When all five are joined they form a flower-like 5‑point star.
Gently flatten and press seams; glue or tack the inner seams if you want a permanent, rigid piece.
10
Star with Box Lid Accent
Lastly, create a star to decorate a small box lid, using one square sheet (12–15 cm).
Make a 5‑point flat or puffy star (use tutorial 2 or 3).
If flat star: fold pointed tips neatly and crease sharply so it sits flat on a lid. If puffy star: puff lightly to create a raised ornament.
Centre the star on the box lid and secure with a small dot of glue or double‑sided tape only in the center so points remain free.
Optionally add ribbon or beads at the star’s center for embellishment.
Tips for success
Use thin paper for intricate folds and thicker paper works fine for modular stars and lucky strips.
Make crisp creases with a fingernail or bone folder.
For tiny stars use narrower strips and for display stars use larger squares and heavier paper.
Practice one or two times on scrap paper to learn the rhythm of repeated folds, then make the final piece in pretty paper.
These origami stars are my guest post to the Decor Asylum blog for “Christmas with Friends” projects with a DIY tutorial for two Christmas paper star ornaments.
This page contains AFFILIATE LINKS. If you choose to purchase after clicking a link, we may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Plus, as an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Read more on the disclosure policy page.
Great, and so easy to make them! Plus the material need it, are easy to find.
Such pretty stars and so unusual. I like the way they are made from the printed paper which gives them a kind of vintage look. I'm really getting into the festive mood reading posts like this!
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Great, and so easy to make them! Plus the material need it, are easy to find.
Such pretty stars and so unusual. I like the way they are made from the printed paper which gives them a kind of vintage look. I'm really getting into the festive mood reading posts like this!