All models

How to fold an origami pagoda

Three red strips fold into roofs with upturned tips, and a brown strip folds into a slim tower with a pointed spire. Glue the roofs on in tiers.

You need: 3 red strips (long, medium and short, each a seventh of a square tall), a brown strip half a square wide, and a glue stick. Medium, 12 steps, about 12 minutes.

Steps

  1. Bottom roof: slope it. Take the longest red strip, red side up. Fold its top corners behind on a long slant, leaving a short flat top in the middle.
  2. Flick up the tips. Fold the bottom corners behind on a slant, so the roof's ends point out and up a little.
  3. Middle roof: new sheet. Set the bottom roof aside. Take the medium red strip, red side up.
  4. Slope it. Fold the top corners behind on a slant, just like the first roof, leaving the same short flat top.
  5. Flick up the tips. Fold the bottom corners behind on a slant so the tips point out and up.
  6. Top roof: new sheet. Set the middle roof aside. Take the shortest red strip, red side up.
  7. Slope it. Fold the top corners behind on a slant, leaving the same short flat top.
  8. Flick up the tips. Fold the bottom corners behind on a slant so the tips point out and up.
  9. Tower: new sheet. Set the top roof aside. Take the brown strip, brown side up, standing tall.
  10. Slim the tower. Fold the left and right edges behind so they meet in the middle at the back.
  11. Point the spire. Fold the two top corners behind, from a little way down each side to the middle of the top edge, so the top comes to a point.
  12. Glue on the roofs. Glue the roofs across the tower, longest at the bottom and shortest at the top, with a band of brown wall showing between them.

Peaceful pagoda!

Paint white trim on the roofs, little windows and a door, and gold rings on the spire. Hang a paper lantern beside it.

What to fold next