Let’s enjoy some PAPER fun! We adore creating paper toys and are equally passionate about all things Origami! I once believed origami was “too challenging” or “too exacting,” but with the right project, origami can actually be incredibly enjoyable and simple for children to try. Today, we’re creating an adorable “ball and cup” game using the traditional origami cup, transforming it into a hungry shark paper toy. Join us today and make this entertaining Origami Shark Toy for kids!
This origami shark craft was originally presented to Sky Kids UK viewers in 2020 as part of the Best Makes Ever show that Arty Crafty Kids and I produced for them. Now, we can gradually share these creations with all of you here on Red Ted Art and Arty Crafty Kids!
Materials required for your Origami Shark Paper Toy:
- brightly colored paper – although white printer paper can also be used and decorated yourself
- pair of scissors
- glue stick
- string or baker’s twine
- black pens
- googly eyes (optional)
How to create an Origami Paper Shark Toy
This paper shark is created from the traditional origami paper cup! (A paper cup that can genuinely hold a drink!). Therefore, this craft has two stages: first, making an origami cup, and then transforming that paper cup into a shark AND a ball and cup game!
Start by folding your traditional origami paper cup
First, change your rectangular sheet of paper into a square. Fold one corner upward until it reaches the edge.
Press along the fold to form a crisp crease.
Trim along the edge (save this paper strip because you’ll use it later).
Leave the paper folded so that your square sheet becomes a triangle!
Sharpen the creases, then rotate the paper so the long edge is positioned along the bottom.
Bring the far-right corner across to meet the left side. While folding, check that it forms a PARALLEL line with the bottom edge.
Press the folds firmly into place!
Do the same on the left side – once again, ensure that the line is parallel.
Flatten the folds neatly.
Fold one of the upper flaps downward.
Turn the origami over and fold down the back side. Create a clean crease.
Fold it upward again, then tuck it inside the paper cup.
That’s it! Your simple origami paper cup is complete!
Turn it into a shark
Just like with our Halloween Frankenstein Cup & Ball game, we’re now going to decorate this basic paper cup and transform it into a shark paper toy!
First, create the shark’s fins. Use the cup as a guide and draw the tail fins so they fit correctly. Cut them out.
Sketch a shark fin and cut it out.
Glue both pieces into position.
Next, create the shark’s enormous teeth and mouth. Cut TWO white zigzag strips (top left).
Cut out a triangular piece of black paper.
Attach the white teeth along the edge with glue.
Place it onto the shark, then trim away the excess edge!
With a pen, add the finishing details: the shark’s eyes (you can cut out a white circle for them), one nostril, and the shark’s iconic gills.
Create a simple paper fish to catch
Now it’s time to make the “ball” for the ball and cup game: a paper fish!
Sketch a basic fish shape: picture a ball with a large fin. Then cut it out. Add a few small fin details to the back.
Use tape or glue to attach some string to the fish’s main body.
Take a piece of scrap paper in the matching color and carefully wrap it around the fish, leaving the fin AND the string “hanging out,”
Crumple the paper around the fin and string, but leave the fin uncrumpled.
Keep the scrunched section as tidy as you can.
Add paper eyes or googly eyes with glue.
Secure the opposite end of the string inside the shark’s mouth with tape.
Your fish ball and cup game is COMPLETE! How entertaining is this?
Create more sharks with paper fish for them to catch. SO ADORABLE!
Discover more Paper Toys here! There’s plenty of paper-craft fun for summer, combining creativity AND play!
Explore more projects from the Best Makes Ever series (we’ll gradually add more to this category over time, but at present we have the Salt Dough Clouds and the Pirate Finger Puppets:
