Origami in Paper Land

Origami Soccer Ball: Easy 3D Paper Football, Step by Step

Medium 26 steps 5 white and 2 black squares, 15 × 15 cm, scissors and glue

Step 1 of 26

Origami soccer ball, step 1Step 1

White paper: fold a 15 × 15 cm square in half and cut along the fold. Each half gives 2 triangles. You need 20 triangles, so cut 5 squares.

Stuck on a step?Some folds are easier to see moving. Watch the video tutorial below and fold along with me.

Video step by step

If a picture is hard to follow, watch every fold here. Pause and rewind as often as you need.

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A real round football made of paper

This origami soccer ball is built just like a real football: 20 white hexagons and 12 black pentagons, joined edge to edge into a round 3D paper ball. Every piece is folded from paper, and a little glue holds the ball together.

You need 5 white and 2 black squares of 15 × 15 cm. The white paper is cut into triangles that become hexagons, and the black paper into small rectangles that become pentagons. There are 32 pieces, so fold a few every day, or make them together with friends, and glue the ball at the end.

Kids can make it with the help of their parents. You can teach your child together: watch the video, follow the step-by-step pictures and fold side by side.

Ideas for your paper football

  • World Cup fun: make one in the colours of your favourite team.
  • Football party: a table decoration for a birthday or a match night.
  • Gift for a football fan: write a name or a shirt number on one white hexagon.
  • On the shelf: put it next to a paper World Cup trophy.
  • Christmas: fold a small one from 7.5 cm squares and hang it on the tree.

Questions

What paper do I need?

5 white and 2 black squares of 15 × 15 cm, scissors and glue. Thin origami or printer paper is easier to fold into the small pieces.

How many pieces does the ball have?

32 pieces: 20 white hexagons and 12 black pentagons, just like a real football. Every black pentagon has 5 white hexagons around it.

How do I get triangles with equal sides?

Cut a white square in half, fold a zigzag of slanted folds along each half and cut along them. Each half gives 2 triangles, so 5 squares make all 20.

Is it hard for kids?

Each fold is easy, but there are many small pieces, and the cutting and gluing need some help. Kids can make it with the help of their parents.

Does it take long?

It is a bigger project because there are 32 pieces. Make a few pieces each day, then glue the whole ball together at the end.