Learn how to make an origami T-Rex (Tyrannosaurus Rex)
Designed by Jo Nakashima (04/Jul/2015)
Difficulty level: low intermediate

I’ve created this origami T-Rex when I was actually designing my Velociraptor and ended up with wrong proportions. Both dinosaurs were made from the same base, just changing the proportion of the head and some details in the legs and tail.

If you like dinosaurs, check out my playlist on YouTube and try also the Velociraptor and the Brachiosaurus.

Paper

In the video tutorial I’m using 20cm x 20cm Green Tissue Foil. This paper has a beautiful texture and holds the creases very well. It’s not a complex origami and you can use small sheets too.

Standard origami paper works, but it’s not the most recommended. If you use this kind of paper, check the tips below to keep the shape (specially the last one).

Tips to keep a better shape

This model doesn’t have any locks to keep it closed and a common problem is that the body tends to spread open. So, here are some tips to keep a better shape on your T-Rex:

  • Use a good paper that holds the creases very well.
  • Curve the tail. This will help to prevent the body from opening.
  • Don’t use a large sheet if the paper is too soft (legs wouldn’t hold well the weight).
  • Wet-fold if you use heavy paper that allows this technique.
  • Don’t shape the back and add a small paper clip holding the internal layers (and hidden by the external ones)

Diagrams

Origami T-Rex diagrams available to download (PDF). If you have any trouble, watch the video tutorial!

T-Rex 3D Head

In the video tutorial I decided to keep the flat head for this model, but it is also possible to make it 3D like I did in the velociraptor. The video below shows how to make it:

Help video

There is one step to make the head (9:03) where people sometimes find difficult to make. All you need to do is a reverse fold using the existing creases, but there are so many folds at the same time that it can be confusing for beginners. If you got stuck in this step, watch this video: