How to fold 7 towel animals

Travelling to a new place is always exciting, and part of the fun is exploring what makes each destination unique. Big things like food and activities are important, but sometimes it’s the small details that leave an impression on us.

If you’ve been on a cruise or to an all-inclusive, you probably know all about towel animals. They’re the fun and quirky way that hotel staff transform the mundane act of leaving towels on your bed into something to make you smile. But try to copy them, and you’re likely to end up with a tangled mess of towels. So we’ve created these animated GIF guides that will take you every step of the way to wowing your friends and family.

Animated folded snake towel

How to make a towel snake

Difficulty: Beginner | Materials: 1 bath towel

Try it yourself:

  • Step 1: Fold two corners diagonally until they meet in the middle.
  • Step 2: Fold one long edge into the middle.
  • Step 3: Starting with the long edge closest to you, roll the towel into a long, cylindrical shape.
  • Step 4: Holding the pointed end with one hand, use the other hand to twist the ‘bottom’ of the snake around itself twice.
  • Step 5: Fold the pointed end down slightly to form the head.

 

Animated baby monkey towel

How to make a towel baby monkey

Difficulty: Beginner | Materials: 1 hand towel, 3 rubber bands

Try it yourself:

  • Step 1: Roll the long sides of the hand towel inwards so they meet in the middle.
  • Step 2: Flip the roll upside down and fold it in half, allowing one side to be longer than the other.
  • Step 3: Twist the top half of the roll upside down.
  • Step 4: Place a rubber band around the fold at the top, spreading the towel out so it forms a head. 
  • Step 5: Place rubber bands on the side of each head to create the ears.

 

Elephant animated towel

How to make a towel elephant

Difficulty: Ninja | Materials: 1 bath towel, 1 washcloth

Try it yourself: 

  • Step 1: Start with the towel flat in a ‘landscape’ orientation.
  • Step 2: Fold both sides of the towel lengthways into the middle.
  • Step 3: Roll the short ends inwards until they meet in the middle and fold firmly in half.
  • Step 4: Stand the U-shape up and push down on the top to ‘fluff’ it.
  • Step 5: Lay the washcloth out to form the head. Fold the top two corners towards the middle, forming a triangle.
  • Step 6: Roll the right side diagonally, then do the same with the left so they meet in the middle. Turn it over.
  • Step 7: Under the two corners that are sticking up, fold down the cuff and pinch it at the back. Hold it tightly while turning the ears inside out.
  • Step 8: Place the head onto the body.

 

Swan animated towel

How to make a towel swan

Difficulty: Beginner | Materials: 1 bath towel

Try it yourself:

  • Step 1: Lay the towel flat in a ‘landscape’ orientation.
  • Step 2: Fold the top corners inwards until they meet in the middle.
  • Step 3: Roll the outside edges inward to the middle.
  • Step 4: Make a downward fold about a third of the way up the ‘arrow’ shape, and an upward fold about two-thirds of the way up. This should form a ‘Z’ shape.
  • Step 5: Lay the ‘Z’ down and squeeze the corners to keep the curves in place.

 

Animated seahorse towel

How to make a towel seahorse

Difficulty: Ninja | Materials: 2 hand towels

Try it yourself:

  • Step 1: Lay one hand towel out. Roll the top and bottom diagonally so they meet in the middle.
  • Step 2: Repeat step one with the other hand towel.
  • Step 3: Place the long side of one towel in the opening of the other.
  • Step 4: Secure the towels by wrapping them and tucking them back in.
  • Step 5: Roll the ends to resemble the head and tail of a seahorse.

 

Animated mouse towel

How to make a towel mouse

Difficulty: Graduate | Materials: 1 hand towel, 1 washcloth

Try it yourself:

  • Step 1: Lay the hand towel in a ‘landscape’ orientation.
  • Step 2: Fold the lower third up, lengthways, then fold the upper third down over the top of it.
  • Step 3: Fold the left corner inwards to form a triangle.
  • Step 4: Roll the towel up, left to right.
  • Step 5: Fold the washcloth corner to corner to form a triangle.
  • Step 6: Fold the point in to meet the long edge.
  • Step 7: Fold the left and right sides over so they meet in the middle.
  • Step 8: Fold in half, then turn over and spread the ears apart.
  • Step 9: Place the head in front of the body.

 

Animated crab towel

How to make a towel crab

Difficulty: Beginner | Materials: 1 hand towel

Try it yourself:

  • Step 1: Fold the long ends of the towel inwards so they almost meet in the middle.
  • Step 2: Repeat the process, folding inwards once more so they almost meet in the middle. Then, unfold on a third of the towel.
  • Step 3: Roll the open end of the towel.
  • Step 4: Holding the roll securely, find the corners of the towel on either side. Using a twisting motion, pull them out and curl them into the shape of crab claws.
  • Step 5: Fold the remaining end halfway towards the roll. Fold once more to make the crab’s shell.

 

 

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