Have you ever folded a piece of paper and suddenly realized it could actually hold something? That little spark is exactly what makes the origami dustpan so much fun. It's one of those humble models that quietly shows up everywhere—tucked into miniature kitchens, perched beside an origami broom, or just sitting on a desk as a tiny reminder that paper can be useful, not just decorative.

Don't let its simplicity fool you, though. In just eight short steps you'll take a flat square and coax it into a shallow, slightly cupped tray with a little handle at the back. It's a perfect first project for a quiet afternoon, and once you've made one, you'll start spotting dustpans (real and folded) all over the place. Let's fold.

STEP 1

Fold the paper in half.

STEP 2

Fold it in half again and make a crease.

STEP 3

Fold at the position shown in the photo.

STEP 4

Make a crease at the position shown in the photo.

STEP 5

Open and fold as shown in the picture.

STEP 6

Repeat the same fold on the other side.

STEP 7

Fold up at the position shown in the photo.

STEP 8

Open and fold as shown in the picture.

Done!

Your origami dustpan is complete.