Star Box

origami box
This star box has a unique look which appeals to many people. Instead of a square box with a lid, it is an open-ended box with a flared opening in the shape of a 4-pointed star. The box is not hard to make, but there are many steps. The good news is that many of the steps are “repeat on the other side” type of folds; so, there’s very few different moves.

 

Instructions for Origami Star Box

 

origami star box

Step 1:

Start with a square sheet of paper with the colored-side facing up.
Fold and unfold in half along the diagonals in both directions to get an X crease mark.

origami star box

Step 2:

Turn the paper over. Fold in half from left to right. Unfold.

origami star box

Step 3:

Fold the paper in half top to bottom.

origami star box

Step 4:

Push the left and right upper corners of the paper towards one another.

origami star box

The top layer of paper will come towards you. Watch the movement of the red dot to see how it works.

origami box

Keep pushing the corners towards one another.

origami box
Swivel the flap of paper towards the right. There should be a similar flap of paper behind the model, swivel this one towards the left.
origami box
This structure is called a “preliminary base” and it is a common starting point to many origami models.
origami box

Step 5:

Work with the top layers of paper only: fold the bottom-left and bottom-right edges of the paper towards the center to meet with the vertical crease line.

origami box

Step 6:

You will do the “squash fold”. To do this, peel apart the two layers of paper.

origami box

Step 7:

Ease open the layers of paper more.

origami box
Squash the top part down. Align the crease with the edges of the paper so the paper is evenly distributed and not skewed to one side.
origami box

Step 8:

Repeat on the other side: peel open the two layers.

origami box
Ease open the paper more.
origami boxSquash down.
origami box

Step 9:

Turn the model over.

origami box

Step 10:

Repeat steps 5 and 6 on this side of the model. Start by folding the left-edge and right-edge of the paper towards the central midline.

origami box

Step 11:

Repeat the squash fold: peel open the layers of paper.

origami box
Ease apart the papers more.
origami box
Squash down.
origami box
This is how the model looks like.
origami box

Step 12:

Swing the top-right flap of paper towards the left. At the same time, swing the back layer of paper (on the left side) towards the right. Turning one layer from the top of the model and one layer from the bottom of the model keeps the model evenly distributed. The move is a little like turning the pages of book.

origami box

Step 13:

Fold the bottom-left and bottom-right edges of the paper towards the vertical midline. It should fold along an existing crease.

origami box

Step 14:

Turn the model over.

origami box

Step 15:

Repeat step 13.

origami box

Step 16:

Fold the top section of the model down as shown.

origami box
Unfold. This section will be the base, or bottom, of the box.
origami box

Step 17:

Fold up the pointy tip of the model as shown. You’re going to be doing this 4 times for the 4 sides of the box.

origami box

Step 17a:

Turn the model over.

origami box

Step 18:

Repeat: fold up the pointy tip of the model.

origami box

Step 18a:

Like turning pages on a book, swing the right layer of paper towards the left. Similarly, swing the left layer (on back side of model) towards the right.

You have just completed 2 iterations. Two more to go.

origami box

Step 19:

Here, it is as if you are back to where you were before. Repeat as in the last 2 steps.

origami box

Step 19a:

Turn the model over. Notice that there is only one more flap to fold up.

origami box

Step 20:

Last time: fold pointy tip up.

origami box
This is how the model should look like.
origami box

Step 21:

Rotate the model so it is perpendicular to the table.

origami box

Step 22:

Pull apart the edges of the star box so the model opens up.

origami box
Keep pulling.
origami box
Even out the edges of the box and flare open the white flaps.
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star box is done!
origami box
Side view

 

origami star box origami star box origami box

This star box can be used to hold candies, nuts, beads or other small items. You can also use it to store tooth picks and short items like crayons. Shown on the right-top is a star box filled with paper Lucky Stars.Shown on the right-center is star box made with harmony paper (harmony paper is origami paper where the colors change as you go from the center of the paper to the four corners). Any paper with a radiating pattern will give dramatic results.

Right-bottom: You can also make make a star box variation with the sides tucked in.