How to Fold a Traditional Origami Jumping Frog

These easy-to-follow instructions will show you how to fold a traditional origami jumping frog. This origami frog can actually jump pretty far if you press down on its back!

When you fold this model, the paper will get pretty thick near the end. Don’t worry if your folds aren’t completely perfect. The frog will still look good in the end, and it’ll still jump.

Traditional Origami Jumping Frog Step-by-Step Instructions

• Difficulty: Easy – Beginner Level 3
• Folding time: 5-10 minutes
• Model designer: Traditional
• Paper: Kami 15×15 cm

Step 1

Start with a square sheet of paper with the white side up. Fold it in half horizontally and then unfold.

Step 2

Fold the paper in half vertically.

Step 3

Fold the paper in half vertically again and then unfold it. You’ll use this crease as a guide in later steps.

Step 4

Fold the paper in half vertically. Crease this fold well and then unfold it.

Step 5

Do the same on the other side: Fold the paper down along the dotted line. Crease this fold well and then unfold it.

Step 6

Turn the paper over.

Step 7

Fold the paper down along the horizontal dotted line. Crease this fold well and then unfold it.

Step 8

Turn the paper back over to the way it was before.

Step 9

Fold the paper down along the existing creases just like you’re making a Water Bomb Base. Push everything down flat.

Step 10

Fold the bottom part of the paper up along the dotted line.

Step 11

Fold the left side of the paper towards the center along the dotted line. Don’t fold that top triangle. The paper will tuck in behind it.

Step 12

Fold the right side of the paper towards the center along the dotted line. Again, don’t fold the top triangle, but tuck the paper in behind it.

Step 13

Fold the bottom part of the paper up along the dotted line.

Step 14

Fold the paper down along the dotted line. Crease this fold well and then unfold it.

Step 15

Do the same on the other side: Fold the paper down along the dotted line, crease this fold well, and then unfold it.

Step 16

Pull the two flaps of paper on the inside of either side out just like you’re making a Boat Base.

Step 17

Fold the two flaps of paper on each side down along the dotted lines.

Step 18

Fold the top right part of the paper up along the dotted line. This will make one of the frog’s front legs. Don’t worry about the angle of the crease. As long as you get a shape like what you see in the next step, it’s fine.

Step 19

Fold the left part of the paper up along the dotted line to make the other front leg.

Tip: Use the same angle as in the previous step, matching the other leg.

Step 20

Fold the bottom right part of the paper up along the dotted line. This will form one of the back legs. This crease also doesn’t have to match the diagrams perfectly as long as it is close to the shape in the next step.

Step 21

Fold the bottom left part of the paper up along the dotted line to form the other back leg.

Step 22

Fold the entire model up along the dotted line.

Step 23

Fold the top part of the model down along the dotted line.

Step 24

Turn the whole model over.

The Completed Traditional Origami Jumping Frog

If you push down on the folds on its back, you can make it jump!

How did you do? Post a picture of your frog in the comments and see how far you can make it jump!

Download the Full Origami Frog Printable PDF Instructions

We’d love to keep you in the loop, so by sharing your email with us, you’ll be signed up for our mailing list. Don’t worry; we won’t bombard you with spammy emails, and your information is safe with us – we won’t share it with anyone else.

Watch the Origami Jumping Frog Video Tutorial

🌸 Enjoyed this tutorial? Subscribe to our YouTube channel for new inspiring origami videos every week!