Introduction: Origami Transforming Pinwheel
This is an entry in the Wheels Contest, so please vote!
Today I'm gonna show you how to make an origami transformer!!! It can be a pinwheel, frisbee, ninja star, or anything else you can think of!
Step 1: Gather Materials
You will need 8 sheets of sqaure paper (semi-thick, but not cardstock-thick, and glossy paper works best).
Step 2: Make the First Piece
Step 1: Put your paper color-side-down.
Step 2: Fold the paper in half from the bottom edge to the top edge.
Step 3: Unfold so it is flat again, with a crease in the middle.
Step 4: Fold the two right corners down to the crease you just made.
Step 5: Fold the paper in half on the original crease.
Step 6: Fold the top left corner to the bottom of the model.
Step 7: Flip the model over.
Step 8: Fold the top right corner to the bottom of the model on the same crease you made in Step 6.
Step 9: Open the end of the model you have been folding up from Steps 6-8 and fold it inside of itself. (VIDEO BELOW)
Step 10: Flatten it out and you're done!
Step 3: Repeat 7 Times.
Repeat Step 2 seven times so that you have 8 identical models.
Step 4: Put It All Together!
Now here comes the fun (and somewhat tricky) part. Choose two of your models and push the over six aside. Place them so that one has the open flap side on the right and the other one has the open flap side right beside the closed flap side of the other one (see pictures). Put the first model inside the other model, leaving about 1 cm of space on the side. Fold the extra paper on top down into the first model. Then slide the first model over to the left so you dont see any extra color. Continue this process until you have put together seven models.
Now, add the 8th model like you normally would. Then, put the open flaps of the 8th model over the closed part of the 1st model. Fold the extra paper of the 8th model down into the 1st one, into the spaces on the outer edge. Now you are [almost] done! Go to the next step to learn how to transform it!
Step 5: Transforming It!

Participated in the
Wheels Challenge
11 Comments
1 year ago
Very clear and easy to follow along
Question 4 years ago
What size paper do you use on this
8 years ago
Cool dude
8 years ago on Introduction
This is AMAZIN'!!!! You're right Saitu it is detailed. I think it's cool the way it transforms. Pictures are really clear too :D
9 years ago on Introduction
Dude! This is frickin awesome! Really detailed 'ible.... Good job on explaining so well with the pictures. Really helps to understand what you are talking about!
11 years ago on Introduction
Cool I like how it transforms :D
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
Yep it is pretty cool... Did you make it?
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
i didnt make it its kinda hard for me but it says it transforms
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
Try this website if you haven't been able to do it:
http://www.origamiway.com/origami-transforming-ninja-star.shtml
11 years ago on Introduction
Congratulations on being one of the winners in Scoochmaroo Papercraft Challenge!!
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
OMG, thanks! I didn't even realize I had won until you told me! Hahaha!