If you love Star Wars and want to create something epic with just a single sheet of paper, you’re in the right place. This post walks you through how to make an origami Ewok—the cute, furry warriors from Return of the Jedi (1983)—using simple folds and no cuts.
This project works perfectly for kids, beginners, and anyone looking for a quick paper craft. While other Star Wars origami figures like Yoda or General Grievous require intermediate skills, the Ewok design keeps things accessible. Expect to spend about 15–25 minutes on your first model. The instructions here prioritize clear, step-by-step folding so you end up with an instantly recognizable Ewok you’ll enjoy displaying.
Materials and Preparation
Gather these items before you start:
- 1 square sheet of brown origami paper (about 15 cm x 15 cm / 6 in x 6 in)
- A scrap of orange or tan paper for the hood (roughly 5 cm x 7 cm)
- A black fine-tip pen or marker for the face
- Optional: colored pencils or gel pens for extra details
Use thin origami paper rather than printer paper—it makes folds neater and prevents bulky layers. Work on a flat, clean surface with good lighting so you can see your creases clearly. Start with the colored side facing down. This way, your Ewok ends up with a brown body and you can add a contrasting hood on top.
Basic Folds You’ll Use
Before diving into the Ewok, get familiar with three core folds:
Fold Type | Description |
|---|---|
Valley Fold | Push the paper inward, creating a shallow V shape |
Mountain Fold | Push the paper outward, forming an upside-down V |
Squash Fold | Compress a flap flat to create angular features |
Crease sharply with your fingernail or the back of a spoon—this makes the Ewok’s face and hood more precise. If you’re new to origami, practice a quick valley and mountain fold on scrap paper first, or explore creative origami designs for every skill level to see how these folds appear in different models. Every step below references these basic techniques, so you’ll build general origami skills while making your Ewok. |
Step-by-Step Instructions: Folding the Ewok Body
- Place your brown square paper color side down on your work surface.
- Fold the paper in half vertically, crease firmly, then unfold. Repeat horizontally to create reference creases that divide the square into quarters.
- Fold the top two corners inward at 45-degree angles, meeting near the center vertical line. This forms a soft triangular head shape while keeping the lower half as a rectangle for the torso.
- Tuck small flaps behind the top edges to round the Ewok’s head slightly—this makes it look cute rather than sharp.
- Mountain-fold the lower third of the paper upward to shorten the body. This creates the compact, stocky silhouette typical of Ewoks.
- Fold small triangular flaps on each side (about 1 cm at the base) outward to hint at stubby legs. These give your model a slight lean that helps it stand upright.
Shaping the Ears, Arms, and Hood
The ears, arms, and hood transform your basic shape into a recognizable Ewok puppet-like figure.
Ears: Fold tiny triangular flaps at the top left and right corners outward. Keep them symmetrical—each ear should protrude about 1 cm. Adjust the angle for perkier or floppier ears depending on your style.
Arms: Fold narrow side strips (about 1 cm wide) toward the front. This creates short, rounded arms at the Ewok’s sides, perfect for a hugging posture.
Hood: Take your scrap orange or tan paper and fold it into a simple U-shape with a gap (about 2 cm x 3 cm) for the face. Wrap this hood piece around the Ewok’s head, securing it with a small tucked fold or a dot of glue. The hood should drape slightly over the shoulders, echoing film designs like Wicket’s shorter hood or Teebo’s longer drape. Pictures from the original movies show this variety—feel free to match your favorite Ewok.
Adding the Ewok’s Face and Details
Now for the fun part—bringing your Ewok to life.
With your black pen, draw:
- Two round eyes placed high on the face for an alert expression
- A small triangular nose centered below
- A short curved line for the mouth
- Optional: tiny dots for whisker marks
For extra personality, try:
- Light brown shading on the belly
- Darker patches around the eyes
- Simple stitch lines on the hood
Walking staff: Roll a thin strip of scrap paper tightly into a small dowel, or trim a wooden skewer. Tuck it under one folded arm so your Ewok looks ready for adventure—like Jabba’s palace would never stand a chance against this little warrior.
Personalize your creation by changing hood colors (red, dark brown, tan) and expressions (happy, surprised, sleepy). Tom Angleberger, creator of the beloved Origami Yoda book series, encourages exactly this kind of creativity—building whole origami tribes with unique personalities.
Display Ideas and Next Steps
Your finished origami Ewok deserves a good home. Here are practical ways to show it off:
- Use it as a bookmark by clipping it to a page spine
- Set it on your desk as a small prop
- Create May 4th (Star Wars Day) party favors by making batches of 10–20
- Build a miniature Endor diorama with forest backdrop
Store your models away from moisture and direct sunlight to prevent fading or warping over time. Dry, shaded spots work best for paper conservation.
Ready for more? Experiment with different paper sizes—10 cm squares create miniatures while 20 cm squares produce larger display pieces, or try fun origami paper duck ideas to expand your creature collection. Arrange multiple Ewoks with other Star Wars origami characters for an epic paper scene.
Share your creations and leave a comment below with your results. We’d love to see how your Ewok tribe turns out. Start folding, enjoy the process, and may your creases be sharp and your folds be good.
