These woodland animal origami bookmarks are adorable! Learn how to make a DIY bookmark out of one piece of paper with seven free printable origami templates.
I don’t know if I’ve ever mentioned this, but I am a book mutilator. Yep, that’s right, I turn down the corners of pages to mark my place, and the college I attended considered this “book mutilation.” You could even get fined for it! Well, if that didn’t teach me to start using bookmarks it’s likely nothing will, but at least my children haven’t inherited my criminal ways. One of my younger kids recently taught me how to fold origami bookmarks which slide over the corner of the page you are on to save your place. He even drew eyes and teeth on his corner bookmarks to turn them into little monsters.
I figured it would be fun to turn origami bookmarks into little woodland animals. So I’ve created seven different printable templates you guys can use to make cute origami bookmarks with your kids. Aren’t they adorable?
All you have to do is print out the one you like best and cut out the square and the ears. A few folds later you have an adorable DIY origami bookmark that will help keep you from a life of book mutilation.
My daughter loves the bunny…
…while my son thinks the owl is the cutest:
I’m partial to the fox, but that little skunk! He’s pretty cute too.
DIY bookmark templates
Since I possess pretty much no artistic ability, these bookmarks were created with permission using woodland animal clipart from two Etsy stores: ClipArtisan and MyCuteLobsterDesigns. Check them out if you need some adorable clipart for your projects!
As with all my printables, these are offered for personal use ONLY and may not be redistributed. Please refer friends to this blog post to print their own folded bookmark templates.
Click here to download the fox origami bookmark template
Click here to download the skunk origami bookmark template
Click here to download the bear origami bookmark template
Click here to download the bunny origami bookmark template
Click here to download the owl origami bookmark template
Click here to download the chick origami bookmark template
Click here to download the raccoon origami bookmark template
How to fold a DIY origami bookmark
Watch this video to see how to fold these DIY bookmarks (written instructions follow):
1 – Print bookmark template on plain white printer paper. Trim along lines to cut out the square. 2 – Fold square in half diagonally to create a triangle. Both colored areas should show on the top of the triangle. 3 – Flip the triangle over. 4 – Fold each outer corner of the triangle to meet together at the top of the triangle and form a face. When doing this, make sure the two sides of the face line up. Press along all the folds to crease.
5 – Open up the last fold you did so you are back to the original triangle. Fold the top point of the triangle down, using only the *top* layer of paper. 6 – Fold one corner back up and tuck it into the “pocket” created in the last step. Repeat with the other corner. 7 – Cut out the ears and add adhesive along the straight edge. 8 – Tuck the ears inside the pocket to complete the bookmark.
One DIY origami bookmark complete! Now go ahead and print out all the other versions so your woodland animals can have some friends.
A few last notes:
- Be sure to use plain printer paper and not cardstock or these will be very hard to fold
- The faces will line up better if you are exact with your cuts and folds. Help younger children so they don’t get frustrated (although most kids aren’t going to mind if the faces don’t line up exactly!)
Looking for more bookish fun? Try these posts:
Punch card bookmark to track reading minutes
13 hilarious picture books you won’t get tired of reading to your kids
Clean YA books your teen and tweens will love
And if you love origami, visit these posts:
Christmas print + fold origami bookmarks
Easy to fold origami jumping frogs
Claudia says
The bookmarks are so cute. Thank you for sharing!
Greetings from Germany
Claudia
Nathalee says
3 years later, thank you so much. These are the greatest! My daughter of 4 usually wants to stop the activity before we are done, but with your easy-8-steps-plus-video tutorial, for 1st time, she finished by HERSELF!!! And in a minute! Nathalee from France
3 ans plus tard, un grand merci. Ces marque-pages sont les meilleurs ! Ma fille de 4 ans d’habitude s’arrête avant d’avoir fini l’activité de création manuelle, mais grâce à ce tutoriel simple et efficace, pour la 1ère fois, elle a terminé et elle-même, toute seule sans mon aide ! Etapes simples, pas trop long comme activité, génial.
Catharina Stephen says
Hi Autumn! thank u so much for these cute bookmarks!!
emily says
I don’t get step 4 can any of your friends or you help me with my question. Please reply.
Thank you.
Diane says
You have to bring the far left corner and the far right corner up to meet at the top point.
joy says
These are so cute! Thanks for the printable s and in the instructions!
Dunia says
Thanks so much for making these and maaking them available to everyone!!! I really appreciate it!!!!!
Merry X-Mas!!!!
WriteMyEssayOnline says
When I was at school we’ve learned how to make such animal origami bookmarks, I remember I’ve made a hedgehog and a giraffe, it’s a pity I can’t show it here. Now my little sister use them for her books too! Thank you for sharing this wonderful idea, I think such bookmarks make studying more interesting for children.
Sean says
I think you shouldn’t have things hanging off. I think you should have like sharks because the ears might get folded
Cindy says
Thank You! These are so fun. My daughters reading group will love these
Ava Haas says
Hey Autumn! I really enjoy reading but most of the time I don’t have a book mark. So I found this on pinterest and I printed it. It ended up super cute, I printed the fox. And yeah thank you for making that. It would be cool if you could make a cat one. Thanks so much!!!
Brigitte says
Thank you, for the bookmarks
Greats from Austria ?
ANYADVICE says
What does the paper settings have to be in order to print. Mine are printing too small.
Emily says
these are so cute and east to make, thank you!
hawraa says
cute .. thank you for sharing these with us
Jan Bennett says
I could not get these to print in color. Is there a reason for that? I tried 2 different printers. I love these and would like to make a few for my girls.
Maja says
This is so lovely! Thank you so much for sharing! I will show them to my mother-in-law who is a librarian at an elementary school! Is it ok, if she uses them with her class?
autumn says
of course! thanks for checking.
Joules Freiboth says
These are brill! I admire your creativity! I am making these with my son today for him to give as gifts to family. Thank you!!
Janet says
I have tried three times to go to the instructions for folding these, and the url does not work. Any suggestions?
Janet says
The Christmas ones
Emanuella says
Thank You so much Autumn. They are adorable. I admire You…mom of 5…I am mom of 1 and sometimes feel like can’t cope with the situation….I love Your blog…keep on
LOL
Emanuella from Italy
autumn says
Thanks so much, Emanuella! You’re sweet. And I bet you’re doing a better job than you think you are 😉
Page says
Thank You! These are so fun. My daughters reading group will love these