Make a Lotus
Fold colorful paper into an origami lotus flower, decorate the petals, and learn about symmetry, layers, and fine motor skills while creating a beautiful lotus.
Step-by-step guide to Make a Lotus
Step 1
Gather all the materials from the list and place them on a clear table.
Step 2
Pick one square sheet of colored paper and put the colored side face down on the table.
Step 3
Fold the paper corner to corner to make a diagonal crease and press the crease flat.
Step 4
Fold the paper along the other diagonal to make an X crease and press the crease flat.
Step 5
Fold all four corners of the paper into the very center point so the tips meet in the middle.
Step 6
Turn your folded paper over so the folded corners are face down.
Step 7
Fold the four new corners into the center again to make a layered square shape.
Step 8
Fold the whole model in half by bringing the right edge to the left edge and press to crease.
Step 9
Gently pull up each of the four outer flaps to form the outer petals and flatten them so they stand up.
Step 10
Turn the flower over and lift the inner flaps to reveal and shape the inner petals outward.
Step 11
Decorate each petal with markers stickers or crayons and make the same design on matching petals to show symmetry.
Step 12
Repeat steps 2 to 10 with another square sheet if you want a smaller second lotus layer.
Step 13
Use the glue stick to attach the smaller lotus on top of the larger one to create layers.
Step 14
Take a photo of your finished lotus and share your creation on DIY.org
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
What can we use if we don't have a square sheet of colored paper or a glue stick?
Cut a square from printer paper, magazine pages, or wrapping paper and color the blank side with crayons or markers, and use white school glue or double-sided tape instead of the glue stick.
My corners won't meet in the center or the lotus looks bulky—what should I do?
Unfold to the last correct crease from step 5, realign each corner to the exact center point, and press each diagonal and corner crease sharply with your fingernail or a ruler so the layered folds in step 7 lie flat.
How can I change the activity for different age groups?
For toddlers (3–5) pre-fold steps 3–7 and let them do step 8 and the decorating in step 11, for ages 6–9 guide them through all folds with help on step 5 and step 7, and for 10+ challenge them to make multiple layers by repeating steps 2–12 and glue them in step 13.
How can we personalize or improve our lotus after finishing the basic model?
Decorate each petal in step 11 with metallic pens, stickers, or glitter, glue a small paper circle or bead in the center before step 13, attach a straw stem with tape, or stack several layered lotuses to glue together and then take the photo for DIY.org as in step 14.
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Facts about origami and paper crafts
✂️ Traditional origami lotus designs use clever folds and layered petals so you can make a full flower without glue or scissors.
🎨 Decorating matching petals teaches radial symmetry and pattern design—color choices can make the lotus look balanced or wild!
🧩 Origami is a hands-on way to explore symmetry and fractions—each fold can show mirrored halves or split a paper into fractional parts.
👐 Repeated folding helps build fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination—short daily practice makes fingers steadier and more precise.
🌸 The sacred lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) has seeds that can remain viable for centuries—scientists have sprouted seeds over 1,000 years old!
How do I fold a colorful origami lotus flower with my child?
What materials do I need to make a paper lotus origami with kids?
What ages is folding an origami lotus suitable for?
What are the benefits of making an origami lotus and how can we vary the activity?
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