How to Make an Origami Pinwheel

Co-authored by Robert Homayoon

Last Updated: January 28, 2025 Approved

This origami pinwheel produces a flat and neat pinwheel design, as opposed to the three dimensional design of the usual paper craft pinwheel. This design can be used as a pinwheel, or has many other uses as a decorative item on crafts such as cards and gift boxes, or as a decoration on its own. Follow the instructions to make your own origami pinwheel.

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Robert Homayoon
Origami Expert

Expert Interview} If it's origami paper, start with the white side up. Fold it in half diagonally both ways. Then, unfold.
Fold all four corners to the center, in the same manner as making a fortune teller. This is called a blintz fold.

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This is called a book or greeting card fold. Then, unfold.
This is called a cupboard fold. Do not unfold this.
Pull them up and pinch them so they stick up. Then pull them down to the middle so that the shape appears as in the image.
Repeat step six on the unfolded side.
It's finished!
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Make use of your origami pinwheel. Here are some ideas for using your origami pinwheel:
- Make a pinwheel: find a pushpin and a chopstick/pencil. Push the pushpin through the paper and into the chopstick or pencil and it looks like a real pinwheel. If you leave room on the pushpin for the wheel to slide back and forth and you blow, it works like a real one.
- Garden decoration: These origami pinwheels look pretty in the garden. They'll last until it rains, or keep them sheltered.
- Cards: Glue the origami pinwheel to cards. Either draw a stick or glue on a thin stick to create a 3D pinwheel effect on the card. Or be imaginative and use the pinwheel to create other designs on the card, such as a windmill, a Ferris wheel, etc.
- Festive decorations: Tie a row of origami pinwheels together along a piece of string or ribbon and hang for festive effect. Try using different colors of paper for best effect, or use colors that are themed to the occasion.
- Gift boxes: Attach an origami pinwheel to a gift box as the "seal" or as a design feature. Pinwheels could also be attached to gift wrapping paper for a 3D effect.

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Question

What advice do you have for someone who's trying to get started doing origami as a beginner?

Robert Homayoon
Origami Expert
Robert Homayoon is an Origami Expert known for his engaging YouTube videos and accessible instructions. He has been teaching origami on YouTube since 2009. His channel has a following of over 676,000 subscribers, and his videos have garnered over 211 million views. Robert uses his channel to highlight his passion for teaching people origami, crafts, and how to solve puzzles. He graduated from SUNY Albany in 2007 and earned his D.M.D degree from Temple University Dental School in 2013.

Robert Homayoon

Origami Expert

Expert Answer

Get a couple of simple books. They teach you the basic folds, valley folds, mountain folds, working on your hand coordination skills, and being precise. Take your time and try to be as accurate as possible with the instructions. It does require a certain precision, an artistic touch, and a lot of practice.

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Question

I don't have a chopstick, can I use barbecue sticks instead of a pencil?

Community Answer

Yes, as long as they are sturdy enough to hold up your pinwheel. If not, use something more sturdy.

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Question

What can I use instead of a thumb tack?

Community Answer

There are other methods in which you don't need a thumb tack, but only a piece of square paper. Do an internet search for "origami pinwheel."

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