Penguin

There's a reason origami penguins are so beloved: with just a square of paper you can conjure up that instantly recognizable tuxedo shape — round belly, little beak, flippers folded at the sides. This 18-step version leans entirely on photos, so you never have to decode a confusing diagram; you simply copy what you see, one small fold at a time.

It might look involved at first glance, but most of the steps are gentle repeats of the same idea, and the payoff is a sturdy little penguin that actually stands up on its own. Use a two-tone sheet to get that classic black-and-white look, or go wild with colored paper. Either way, by the end you'll have a desk companion that's impossible not to smile at — and you'll probably want to fold a whole colony.

STEP 1.

STEP 2.

STEP 3.

STEP 4.

STEP 5.

STEP 6.

STEP 7.

STEP 8.

STEP 9.

STEP 10.

STEP 11.

STEP 12.

STEP 13.

STEP 14.

STEP 15.

STEP 16.

STEP 17.

STEP 18.