3D Origami Pumpkin

This adorable 3D origami pumpkin is perfect for Halloween, fall décor, or even Thanksgiving tables.

All you need is one sheet of paper and a few folds—no glue required!

This 3D origami pumpkin is a charming little project that’s fun to fold and even more fun to display.

Whether you’re decorating for Halloween, adding a handmade touch to a fall-themed party, or looking for a non-carve craft alternative for the kids, this project ticks all the boxes.

It’s simple, sweet, and made from just one square sheet of paper.

You can use it as a little table decoration, string up a few for a garland, or even write names on the side and use them as place settings for a Thanksgiving dinner.

It also makes a cute addition to small gifts or goodie bags—and if you make a mini version, you can pop it into a card as a seasonal surprise.

If you don’t have double-sided paper (with orange on one side and green on the other), don’t worry! You can easily add color using markers, watercolors, or colored pencils.

Another great option is to glue two sheets of colored paper together before folding.

Why You'll Love This Pattern

• Great for Halloween, fall, Thanksgiving, or autumn-themed parties
• Only one sheet of paper required
• Easy to adapt with different colors or sizes
• Kid-friendly and glue-free
• Looks adorable on its own or as part of a group

Skill Level

Difficulty: ★★☆☆☆ (Easy to Moderate)

Materials Needed

• 1 sheet of square paper (ideally double-sided in orange and green)
• Optional: markers or paint for coloring, or glue and a second sheet of paper

Instructions

Step 1: Start with the color you want your pumpkin to be facing up. The opposite side will become the stem.

Step 2: Fold the bottom left corner up to meet the top right corner.

Step 3: Unfold previous step.

Step 4:  Fold the bottom right corner up to meet the top left corner.

Step 5: Unfold previous step.

Step 6: Flip your paper over from left to right.

Step 7: Fold the bottom edge to the top edge.

Step 8: Unfold previous step.

Step 9: Fold the left edge to the right edge.

Step 10: Unfold previous step.

Step 11: Rotate your paper 45 degrees so that it sits like a diamond.

Step 12: Hold the left and right sides of the paper and bring the left and right points to meet bottom point. You will find the paper starts to collapse on itself. It will form a square.

Step 13: Making sure the open edge is towards you: Fold the top right diagonal edge (top layer only) to the middle crease.

Step 14: Unfold previous step.

Step 15: Lift the top right flap up so it stands 90 degrees along the middle crease.

Step 16: Slightly open out the flap and then squash fold so that it sits flat.

Step 17: Fold the left side of the top flap to the right.

Step 18: Repeat steps 13 to 17 for the left side.

Step 19: Flip your paper over from left to right.

Step 20: Repeat steps 13 to 18.

Step 21: Fold the bottom left and right diagonal edges (top layer only) in to meet the middle crease.

Step 22: Fold the bottom point up (top layer only) so that its folded edge aligns with the edge of the colored section.

Step 23: Flip your paper over from left to right and repeat steps 21 to 22.

Step 24: Turn the left side of the paper (2 layers) to the right, like you are turning a page in a book.

Step 25: Flip your paper over and repeat previous step. You should now have a solid color on both the front and back.

Step 26: Repeat steps 21 to 22 for both sides.

Step 27: Turn the left side of the paper (1 layer only) to the right. Then, flip your paper over and repeat on the other side. You will now have a solid color on either side of your paper.

Step 28: Fold the bottom left and right edges (top layer only) of the paper in to meet the middle. Then, flip your paper over and repeat on the other side.

Tips For Success

• If your paper isn’t double-sided, decorate one side with orange and the tip with green before folding.
• You can add a little curl to the green “stem” by wrapping it around a pencil.
• Thinner paper works better for this project—origami paper, printer paper, or even wrapping paper.
• Try making a few in different sizes and clustering them together for a cute display.

Color, Paper Ideas, and Variations

• Classic orange + green – Stick to traditional pumpkin shades for a familiar look.
• White + green or gold – Great for neutral fall décor or rustic weddings.
• Patterned paper – Try florals, polka dots, or gingham for something a bit playful.
• Kids’ art paper – Let kids color their own paper before folding.
• Giant version – Use a large square sheet for a big statement pumpkin.
• Mini pumpkin – Use 3 inches x 3 inches (7.5 cm x 7.5 cm) paper to make tiny pumpkins for cards or garlands.

FAQ

Other Paper Crafts You Might Like To Try:

• Standing Napkin Fan
• Origami Heart
• Origami Masu Box
• Halloween Origami
• Triangle Origami Corner Bookmark
• Daisy Pasta Puppet
• Christmas Tree Napkins Fold

Helpful Origami Tips

If you're curious to learn more about origami, you might like to look at our basic guides on how to make some common origami folds.

Start with the valley fold and mountain fold—these are the foundation of most origami models.

Once you're comfortable, you might like to try the petal fold for 3D shapes, and explore the bird base and square base for more complex designs.

The water bomb base is also great for creating inflatable or geometric models, like this inflatable origami rabbit.