How to Fold Origami Beginner Cicada for Kids

Author: Talha

With an increasing level of difficulty for each, the origami cicada has one of the longest lists of variations. But the traditional origami cicada is the easiest and perfect for having an introduction to traditional origami. Let’s fold an origami beginner cicada in five simple steps. You can fold this origami in less than 1 minute.

This model focuses on the core body features of the cicada and also provides a simple introduction to judgment folds. You can fold it with any color from black to red and brown.

Origami Easy Cicada: Fold-by-Fold Guide

While folding the cicada, you have to rely on the judgment folds for the wings and the head stripes. With different extents of the folds, you may have longer wings, thinner stripes, or a thin head.

But that’s also a fun part of it, as you can adjust it until it looks nicer to you. An idea cicada would have a very thin stripe on the head and a thick head. Now, let me show you step-by-step how to fold this origami cicada:

Model Type: Traditional/Kami Origami

Recommended Paper: Kami Sheet with one side white (recommended)

Prefered Name: Easiest and Basic Origami Cicada

Step #1: Triangle Base

• With your square sheet in the diamond position, fold the paper in half vertically along the horizontal diagonal and press the paper flat.
• Specifically, you have to fold the top corner of the diamond to the bottom and settle it onto the lower corner.

Step #2: Fold Into A Square

• Fold the top right corner of the triangle onto the bottom corner.
• Let the top right half-edge of the triangle settle with the imaginary vertical centreline.

Folding Tip: You can also fold the triangle in half by joining both the top corners. After unfolding, you will have a guiding vertical centreline for this step.

• Repeat the same fold for the left corner and press the paper flat very well.
• You will end up with a square shape (placed in diamond position) with four flaps and three layers to work with.

• Rotate the square 180 degrees so that the closed side of the square is near you or at the bottom.

Step #3: Judgment Folds for Wings

Note: These are the judgment folds, which means there will be no creases to guide you. They should be done to taste and can be adjusted later after seeing the final look of the cicada. So, don’t press the paper firmly after each fold so that after adjustments, the model may look cleaner.

• Hold the top corner of the left flap from the previous step and fold it down to the bottom. The axis of the fold must run through the left corner of the diamond, and anywhere below the height of the left corner on the right middle line.

• Repeat the same judgment fold for the right flap and make sure the height of the hinge on both ends matches the previous fold.
• This will make the cicada wings look symmetrical.

Step #4: Judgment Folds for Cicada’s Head

These two folds will also be done to taste.

• Start folding the corner of the 1st of the two top layers of the model to the bottom. Crease the paper when about 1-4th height of the flap is left. However, you can settle the hinge anywhere you find suitable.

• Fold the portion of the last layer of the model to the bottom onto the previously folded flap.
• You can settle the corner at the halfway point of the previous flap, but the recommended method is to leave a very small space.

Step #5: Turn

• Turn the model over. You can see a diamond with two legs.

Step #5: Judgement Folds for Shaping the Whole Body

• Judgement Fold the entire right side of the model to the right. Here for the usual cicada, you will want to settle the edge to the vertical centreline. However, to have a narrow head for my cicada, I set it a little away from the midline.

• You can turn the model over after this fold to see what it looks like from the front side.

• Fold the other side of the model to the opposite side. I let it overlap my previous fold. Make sure to have both wings of the same height.

Finished

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