Want to fold a cat but not ready for anything fiddly? This easy origami cat is about as friendly as papercraft gets — quite possibly the simplest cat you will ever make.

With just a square of paper and a handful of basic folds, you will have a little feline in minutes. The best part comes at the end: grab a pen and give it eyes, or stick on a pair of googly ones for extra personality.

This page is for anyone who wants instructions to fold an easy origami cat.

This easy origami cat is probably the simplest cat model you will ever find.

Before you start, you should know what a valley fold and a mountain fold are. If you are comfortable with those two basics, you will have no trouble making this cat.

If you are ready, let's get started.

You can use any kind of paper for this cat. It is a little easier if the front and back of the paper look slightly different — whether in texture or color.

Make sure your paper is a square (all sides equal, all angles 90 degrees). The sheet I am using here is a 15 × 15 cm square, a good size if you are new to paper folding. Once you are familiar with the model, you can try smaller paper.

This is the front side of the paper.

This is the back side of the paper.

Step 1: Start with the back side of the paper facing up, in a diamond shape (rotate the square by 45 degrees). Prepare to make a horizontal valley fold.

Step 2: Make the horizontal valley fold from step 1. Prepare to make a vertical valley fold.

Step 3: Make the vertical valley fold from step 2. Prepare to make a valley fold.

Step 4: Make the valley fold from step 3. Prepare to turn the model over.

Step 5: Turn the model over. Prepare to make a valley fold.

Step 6: Make the valley fold from step 5. Prepare to make a flat fold.

Step 7: Make the flat fold from step 6. Prepare for a horizontal valley fold.

Step 8: Make the horizontal valley fold from step 7. Prepare to turn the model over.

Step 9: Turn the model over. Prepare to draw two eyes or attach googly eyes.

Step 10: Draw the eyes or add googly eyes. Congratulations — you have just completed your easy origami cat!