How to Make a Ninja Star from Square Paper

Originally, metal ninja stars were used as throwing weapons in Japanese variations of martial arts. Using the Japanese art of paper folding, origami, you can make a replica ninja star from paper. It's an easy and fun project that can be used as a decoration or craft piece when completed.

EditSteps

1. 1
   Begin with a square piece of paper. If you're using computer paper, see How to make a square from rectangular paper to change it into a square.
   
   
   
2. 2
   Fold the paper in half into a rectangle. Then, unfold.
   
   
   
3. 3
   Cut along the crease to make two rectangles. You will fold both of these rectangles to make the ninja star. This article shows two differently colored rectangles to make things easier, but you can use the same color rectangles.
   
   
   
4. 4
   Fold the rectangles in half (hot dog style).
   
   
   
5. 5
   Fold the rectangles in half (hamburger style). Then, unfold. This will create a crease to use as a guideline in the next step.
   
   
   
6. 6
   Make sure to fold the two figures differently in this step.
   
   
   
   • 

      Take the right side of the leftmost (yellow) paper figure, and fold it down along the middle crease, using the open side of the paper.
     Take the right side of the leftmost (yellow) paper figure, and fold it down along the middle crease, using the open side of the paper. Take the right side of the rightmost (pink) paper figure, and fold it up along the middle crease, using the closed side of the paper.
   • 

      Do the opposite for each paper figure.
     Do the opposite for each paper figure. Take the left side of the leftmost (yellow) paper figure, and fold it up along the middle crease, using the closed side of the paper. Take the left side of the rightmost (pink) paper figure, and fold it down along the middle crease, using the open side of the paper.
7. 7
   Flip the figures over.
   
   
   
8. 8
   Fold the rightmost corner of both figures in (vertically) to create a triangle.
   
   
   
9. 9
   Fold the leftmost corner of both figures in (vertically) to create a triangle. (If you did this incorrectly, you will now have a parallelogram shape.)
   
   
   
10. 10
    Fold the leftmost corner of both figures in again in a triangle shape.
    
    
    
11. 11
    Fold the rightmost corner of both figures in. They should both be shaped like parallelograms.
    
    
    
12. 12
    Flip one figure over. (The pink figure was flipped over in the image to the right.) Open the figures up a little bit.
    
    
    
13. 13
    Place the figure you flipped over (pink) on top of the other figure (yellow), inside the flaps. The flaps of the figure on top should be out as well.
    
    
    
14. 14
    Take the top of the figure that's underneath, and tuck it into the bottom pocket of the figure on top.
    
    
    
15. 15
    Take the bottom tip of the figure that's underneath, and tuck it into the top pocket of the figure on top.
    
    
    
16. 16
    Flip the whole paper figure over.
    
    
    
17. 17
    If you're finding it difficult to slide the paper in, try pinching the side of the pocket.
    
    
    
18. 18
    Slide the leftmost tip of the paper underneath into the right pocket of the paper on top.
    
    
    
19. 19
    Slide the rightmost tip of the paper underneath into the left pocket of the paper on top.
    
    
    
20. 20
    Keep making ninja stars!
    
    
    

EditVideo

EditTips

• Fold the edges very hard by putting the fold in between your middle finger nail and your thumbnail.
• Use a Post-it note. They are square already!
• There are some very fun, large origami figures that can be made with lots of these ninja star bases.
• Try making this with aluminum foil for a more realistic look.

EditWarnings

• If you don't fold the two paper figures differently, this wont work.
• Watch out for paper cuts if you are using sharp paper.

EditThings You'll Need

• A square piece of paper
• Scissors
• A nice, flat place for folding