MBFF029 - JUMPING FROG BY HANS DYBKJæR (FROM A SQUARE)

Designer: Hans Dybkjer, Denmark

Text-Based instructions: Hans Dybkjer copyright 2026

Type: Action.

Difficulty: Very easy.

Paper: Square, e.g., 75 x 75 mm stiff paper.

Having taught blind folders in Denmark and elsewhere, Hans has produced text-only instructions for various models, which you may find on his site at ...

Origami for the Blind - Models

For more info on folding terms and techniques, you can also visit his "Help" page at

    Origami for the Blind - Help Page

My sincere thanks to Hans for sharing with us this model he created for his grandson.

Description: This is a jumping frog that is very simple and quick to fold. It works best with small squares of between 5 to 8 cms.

Folding

Step 1

Hold a square in the diamond orientation, with the corner at the top and the back side of the paper facing you.

Step 2

Fold the bottom corner up to meet the top corner to form a triangle.

Note

We are currently looking at the underside of the frog.

The two pointed corners on the sides become the front legs, while the open corner at the top with two layers becomes the mouth.

Step 3

Fold the two front-leg tips up to meet the top corner.

Note

The shape is now square with the open corner at the top. The two points lie together with Their straight edges following each other downwards at the center of the frog.

Step 4

Fold the side corners in towards the center.

Note

The former side corners now form two right-angled triangles, each pointing towards the center of the model and with slanted edges at the top and bottom,

Step 5

Take the top left point and fold it down and a little outwards. Its vertical, straight edge should be folded out to the left so that it lies along the upper slanted edge of the left triangle.

Note

The left leg will stick out slightly beyond the edge on the left side.

Step 6

Repeat with the remaining right point. Its vertical, straight edge should be folded out to the right so that it lies along the upper slanted edge of the right triangle.

Note

The two front legs will stick out to either side on the upper part of the frog.

Now we will focus on the corner at the bottom, which needs to be turned into the hind body and jumping mechanism.

Step 7

Fold the bottom corner up to meet the other two corners at the center of the frog. Make a sharp fold.

Note

The frog now has equal, folded-over edges on the sides and at the bottom. One can think of them as lying in a square. There are obtuse angles at the top of the square, partially covered by the front legs that are sticking out.

Step 8

Bend the lower, folded-over edge up so that the edge and corners meet the obtuse angles near the top of the model.

Make only a light fold here.

Note

The new fold goes across where the three triangles meet at the former center of the frog. The former back edge now lies up near the front legs.

Step 9

Bend the edge you just folded up back down to meet the bottom edge of the model. 

Crease lightly. You may give it a press on the sides.

Note

The back edge now has a zig-zag fold with many layers. This is the spring mechanism.

Step 10

The two layers of the top corner, the mouth, can be bent slightly apart to open the frog's mouth, creating the singing frog.

Step  11

Flip the figure over and place it on the table. The frog is finished. Optionally draw or stick on eyes on it.

Note

To make the frog jump, press lightly down on the back edge and then snap quickly down and backward.

Making origami accessible through text-based instructions.

For non-commercial use only.

Compiled: April 2026

This text copyright 2026 by accessorigami.com and the author.