Few creatures are as quietly charming as a snail, and this little paper version is a joy to fold — round shell, bobbing eyestalks, and all. It takes a single square and a handful of patient folds, and somewhere around step ten the shell just appears.

Kids love it because the payoff is a real, recognizable animal, and grown-ups love it because it is oddly soothing to fold. Grab a sheet and let's make a tiny garden.

STEP 1. Fold it in half and make a crease.

STEP 2. Fold it in half and make a crease.

STEP 3. Fold along the crease.

STEP 4. Fold it in half.

STEP 5. Fold it in half.

STEP 6. Open and fold as shown in the picture.

STEP 7. Fold the back side the same way.

STEP 8. Fold it in half.

STEP 9. Fold the back side the same way.

STEP 10. Fold at the position shown in the photo.

STEP 11. Fold the back side the same way.

STEP 12. Fold it in half.

STEP 13. Fold the back side the same way.

STEP 14. Fold it inward at the position shown in the photo.

STEP 15. Fold it inward at the position shown in the photo.

STEP 16. Cut at the position shown in the photo.

STEP 17. Fold the cut part.

Completion!

Once the shape is adjusted, the snail is complete.