How To Make Simple Origami Pyramids For Passover

Now is the time to learn how to make simple origami pyramids for Passover, as truly this one is a gem, and if you use toile or metallic paper they can even pass as “elegant!” I truly can’t believe that the same origami balloon technique I’ve been using for years to make origami pears, origami apples, origami fruit and even origami string light covers can also be folded as a pyramid! And the pyramid is actually the easiest shape to make, go figure! So friends, get out the paper, the bigger the better I’d say, and get folding. Put them on the seder table, make a long table runner, hang them, use them to hold Pesach placards (through the hole in the top) or tiny baby’s breath branches……So many options and truly simple!

When origami meets toile paper the results are truly lovely, and sometimes unexpected! These pyramids would be fabulous made from marbled paper, and one can use wrapping paper weight for medium sized pyramids, or experiment to see just now large you can go and still maintain structure. I’ll try it and get back to you on that! Update: I just tried to fold a pyramid from a 60cm x 60cm sheet (actually 4 of the 30cm x 30cm toile scrapbooking paper sheets) and it is quite strong, meaning one could go even larger. The only downside to the larger pyramids is that blowing them up doesn’t quite work so you have to sort of gently stretch the shape out.

How To: Use this very diagram and get folding. Try with scrap paper first and then go for the better paper. Blowing up the pyramid is a bit tricky, so you might have to pull the shape out a bit with your hands, and crease the bottom edges so it stands up well. Also, you might want to use glue or hot glue to adhere the flaps. Also, if your folding isn’t perfect, don’t worry, just at the end when you tuck in the flaps, trim them to the proper width.

Note: For larger pyramids it is very important to define the edges of the square base before blowing up/poking out the shape. Do this by folding the triangular top piece seen in step 12, and scoring, on both sides.

Size Guide:

The origami pyramid uses a relatively large amount of paper, so don’t be surprised. Here is a size guide based on my results:

• A 30cm square piece of paper results in an 11cm high pyramid

• A 45cm square piece of paper results in a 16cm high pyramid

• A 60cm square piece of paper results in a 21cm high pyramid

• A 70cm square piece of paper results in a 26cm high pyramid

Paper Guide:

The toile paper I used is supposed to be scrapbook paper, but it is much lighter, than other similar papers I’ve ordered. It is a bit heavier than printer paper, but not nearly as heavy as nice quality scrapbook paper. While traditional origami paper is quite light weight, projects that are not tiny benefit from heavier paper. You’ll just have to experiment, but I do not recommend using wrapping paper weight for the 70cm size pyramid. I just tried that and the results are not nearly as nice and crisp. (Of course I always say use what you have!) For the 26cm high pyramid using 70cm square paper use heavy (nice quality) wrapping paper or large sheets of cardstock.

Happy Passover crafting!