Origami Pico

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How to fold an origami crab

Make a triangle base, lift two legs, and fold a broad shell with pointed pincers.

Crab · Easy · 3 min guide estimate

Start folding Crab

Before you start

This guide follows the Crab activity in Origami Pico. Open the interactive version to see the current paper, highlighted fold and movement in 3D. Choose a free basic paper to try it as many times as you like.

No physical paper is needed for the on-screen activity. If you want to try real paper too, use the linked folding reference below alongside the app. Some movements are adapted for the interactive guide.

Folding instructions

  1. Mark the first diagonal

    Fold corner to corner, press, then open your square.

  2. Mark the crossing diagonal

    Fold along the other diagonal, then open it again.

  3. Turn the square over (automatic view change)

    Turn the whole sheet over to make the guiding folds.

  4. Mark the middle

    Fold the bottom edge to the top edge, then reopen.

  5. Mark the other middle

    Bring the right edge to the left edge, then reopen.

  6. Make the triangle base

    Bring the upper edge down while the side creases tuck inward.

  7. Lift the right leg

    Fold the two layers of the right corner upward at a slant.

  8. Lift the left leg

    Lift the matching left corner along the same sloping crease.

  9. Turn to the shell (automatic view change)

    Turn the whole triangle over to shape the shell and pincers.

  10. Raise the lower strip

    Fold a narrow strip of the long bottom edge upward.

  11. Shape the right pincer

    Fold the right sloping edge inward to make a long pointed claw.

  12. Shape the left pincer

    Fold the left edge inward to match the other claw.

  13. Flatten the shell tip

    Fold the top point down a little, leaving the two leg tips free.

  14. Turn over your crab (automatic view change)

    Turn the paper over to show the smooth red shell.

  15. Point the pincers upward (automatic view change)

    Rotate your crab so its two pincers point up.

Use this lesson together

Read one instruction aloud, describe where the moving corner will go, then make the fold. Students or family members can take turns explaining the next step.

Classroom activity guide · Family folding guide

Folding reference

This app activity is based on OrigamiOK, Crab, with adaptations for interactive 3D folding.

Start folding Crab