Recycled Crafts

Creative DIY Projects That Turn Trash Into Treasure

Paper Pups: 35 Free Printable Dog Templates to Cut & Fold (2025 Update)

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Paper pups patternsPaper Pups: 35 Dogs to Copy, Cut & Fold by Hiroshi Hayakawa is one of those books that you can simple sit back and enjoy the experience of making something, kind of like paint by numbers. 

Paper crafting just got paws-itively delightful! Whether you’re a seasoned origami enthusiast or looking for fun kids’ crafts, these 35 dog templates from Paper Pups offer endless creative possibilities. Originally published in 2013, we’ve completely updated this guide with new tips, template variations, and reader success stories.

Why try these templates today?
? Perfect for school projects & rainy day activities
? Great way to upcycle scrap paper
? Develops fine motor skills in children
? Creates charming homemade decorations

What’s Included in Paper Pups

The book features ready-to-use templates for:

  • Popular breeds: Dachshunds, Labradors, Poodles

  • Difficulty levels: From beginner to advanced

  • Special designs: Holiday-themed dogs, accessories

Pro Tip: Scan and enlarge templates for bigger projects!

 

folded paper dog dachshund 3-d

So whether you are a dog lover or paper lover or both you will surely get a kick out of making all these little Paper Pups! By the way that is my next plan is to try another of the patterns with some recycled paper, maybe a fun page from a magazine or old art catalog.

Looking for more Paper folding crafts? Check out these Origami books

More about the book from the publisher Lark Crafts:

“Cute crafts and adorable dogs—what could be more irresistible? From a Golden Retriever and French Bulldog to the beloved mutt, these 35 paper pups are appealing and fun to create. They’re made using kirigami, an art similar to origami: just photocopy the full-size templates and follow the simple steps to transform a flat shape into a dimensional animal! In addition to the dogs, accessories include a fire hydrant, doghouse, and a collection of collars to adorn your paper pet.

Hiroshi Hayakawa is a professor of drawing and mixed-media photography at the Columbus College of Art and Design. He earned BFAs in Photography and Fine Arts from the Columbus College of Art and Design, as well as his MFA in Photography at Cranbrook Academy of Art in Michigan. Hiroshi began making kirigami animal sculptures in the mid-’90s when he was asked to create table decorations for a Chinese New Year’s party. The Sherrie Gallerie in Columbus, OH represents Hiroshi’s photography. He lives in Columbus.”

Coloring in sheets are a great way to calm the busy mind, as you focus on the coloring techniques your brain is actually able to calm itself and focus on less. Coloring is used to help relax and calm anxiety and stress. Coloring keeps out mental health in check and allows us to develop of creative brain. We highly recommend Copic markers or Faber castell coloring pencils .

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Have you read?

Time Flies — And Sometimes It Has Wings Made of Vintage Paper and Buttons

Have you ever been to the cuckoo clock shop at Tamborine Mountain? It’s like stepping into another world — a charming, ticking wonderland filled with thousands (yes, literally thousands) of clocks. Some are grand and ornate, others tiny and tucked away like secrets waiting to be discovered. I remember walking through the shop with my kids, completely enchanted by the whirring gears, dancing figurines, and the joyful chorus of chimes. It was one of those places where time feels like it both stops and flies.

That same feeling came flooding back when I stumbled across this adorable craft project from Teawagon Tales called Time Flies. In true vintage style, it’s a whimsical little DIY that combines scraps of fabric, old paper, buttons, and clock faces into sweet butterfly-like creations — a beautiful mashup of memory, imagination, and just plain cuteness.

It reminded me that crafting is a little like walking through that clock shop. Each piece holds a story, a tick of nostalgia, and the joy of noticing small details. You don’t need much — just some leftover fabric, maybe an old book page or two, and a few bits from your button tin. And suddenly you’re creating something that feels like it fluttered out of a fairytale.

So if you’ve got a stash of pretty paper or vintage bits and bobs you’ve been saving for “something special,” this might be the perfect project to give them new life.

Take a look at the full tutorial and soak up some serious inspiration:
Time Flies – Teawagon Tales

And if you ever find yourself near Tamborine Mountain, do yourself a favour — pop into that cuckoo clock shop. It’s pure magic for anyone who knows that time isn’t just measured in minutes, but in memories.