Origami Triangular Box: Useful Origami

This origami triangular container box is very easy to make since it doesn't involve any complex folding. Once ready it can be used for various purposes. I made several of them and have used it for storing many things ranging from beads to pins to buttons and more. 

Origami Triangular Container

You can also use this model to discuss mathematics with children, after all, origami is all about geometry and symmetry, shapes and angles. As kids fold these models by themselves, it becomes an excellent tool for visualization of 3d shapes and geometry, something that not all kids are comfortable with...or some kids just find it boring...but origami can make it easy and a fun activity too.

Materials required:

You can use three sheets of the same color or use three different colored sheets to make it look more interesting. Also, if you are going to try making this container for the first time, then I would suggest you use three different colors, that would make it easy at the time of assembling the units. 

One little piece of advice, I give to all my students doing origami is precision folding to get a neat result. Though there is no complex folds involved in this origami model, don't be in a hurry to fold and finish it off. Take time to make neat folds and you will be happy with the result at the end.

For this origami box, all you need is just three square sheets and some glue. Here, the material used is color sheets of size 10.5 cm x 10.5 cm.

Procedure:

Step 1: 

Make diagonal creases along both the directions. Then fold the sheet into half along the horizontal diagonal and you have just learned the first base fold in origami i.e. shawl fold. So now the shape you see is a triangle. Be ready to count the triangles from this stage onwards!

Left inset: Make diagonal creases along both the direction.
Right inset: Fold the sheet into half along the horizontal diagonal.

Step 2:

Fold in the right flap to meet the crease at centre. Fold in the left flap too, such that both the flaps meet at the centre.

Left inset: Fold in the right flap
Right inset: Fold in both the flaps to meet at the centre. 

Step 3:

Unfold the flaps. Now you see two triangles with one square between them.

Now fold in both the layers of the bottom flap to touch the top, then unfold it. 

One unit for the origami triangular box is ready. And all we did is just make and count triangles!

Left inset: Unfold the flaps.
Right inset: Fold in the bottom flap to touch the top, then unfold it.

At this stage in my class, my students smiled gleefully when they could identify the triangles, one of them also went ahead to calculate the area of the triangles. Origami is fun when kids enjoy doing them!

Step 4:

Make totally three units, following steps 1 to 3.

Step 4: Make totally 3 units for the origami box

Step 5:

Insert one flap into the pocket of the other unit. Note, here the green unit acts as the pocket and the pink one acts as the flap. Now insert the flap of the pink unit into the pocket of the green unit such that the triangular flap completely fits into the triangular pocket of the green unit.

Left inset: Insert pink flap into the pocket of the green unit
Right inset: Fit into the pocket completely.

Step 6:

Insert the blue flap into the pocket of the pink unit. Next, insert the green one into the pocket of the blue unit.

You see the box taking shape.

Left inset: Insert the blue flap into the pocket of the pink unit, and
the green flap into the pocket of the blue unit.
Right inset: This is how it looks once all the flaps are inserted.

Step 7:
Now let's deal with the base. Alternate the bottom flaps one over the other and apply glue from the top side. Turn the model over and apply glue to the base flaps.

Left inset: Apply glue to the bottom flaps in the base from the top side
Right inset: Apply glue to the bottom flaps in the base from the bottom side

Turn it over and the triangular container is ready for use. If you want to use it, then gluing the base is essential. If you just want to make it for fun, then no need to apply glue, you can just alternate the base flaps one over the other and leave it so.

Origami Triangular Container ready for use

Suggestions for use:

This box can be used for several purposes, provided the base is firmly glued. You can use it for serving dry snacks or candies during parties. The container can be used as an organiser too. Use it for storing craft materials like beads, sequins, buttons, etc.

If you try making this origami container, let us know how many triangles did you count during the entire process. Did you identify the type of the triangle? I am sure you could.

Also, let us know what did you use the container for. Your suggestions and ideas are welcome. 

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