Table Of ContentLEARN TO FOLD YOUR OWN ORIGAMI MODELS
Easy Step-by-Step Instructions for 19 Simpllee PPrroojjeeccttss
Origami
Activities
FFO R KI DS
DDDiiscover the Magic of
JJJaaaappanese Paper Folding
MICHAEL G. LAFOSSE
TUTTLE Publishing
Tokyo Rutland, Vermont Singapore
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X
Contents
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Paper Used for Origami . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Key to Origami Symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Origami Techniques . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Practice Neat Folding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Learning the Inside-Reverse Fold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Making Paper Squares from Rectangles to Rolls . .9
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PProjjectts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
A Chopsticks Wrapper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Fishing Boat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Pinwheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Lily Blossom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
A Good Luck Triangle Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
A Chinese Good Luck Bat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Lotus Blossom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Masu Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Shuttle Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Lotus Box Lid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Japanese Carp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Daruma Doll . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Frog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Crane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Cardinal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Dollar Bill Dragon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Blooming Cactus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Chinese Zodiac Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
A Paper Fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .. .. .. 4455
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How to Download the Bonus Material of this Book.
1. Make sure you have an Internet connection.
2. Click the link below or copy paste the URL to your web browser.
http://www.tuttlepublishing.com/origami-activities-for-kids-downloadable-content
For support, you can email us at [email protected].
Contents
- Folding Papers (.pdf)
Introduction
T
he idea of folding materials is an ancient word. There are several possible reasons for
one. Think of the advantages: Folding cloth this, but perhaps the best involves the Japanese
makes it easy to carry. Folding a letter written on origami crane, one of the most popular designs
paper keeps its contents secret to the casual pass- around the world. This folded paper classic is
erby. Wrapped in paper, food, medicine, or gifts well documented in Japan’s history and has been
stay clean and fresh. Documented thoughts, such folded for at least 400 years. For many years the
as stories or journal accounts, are more conve- paper crane was considered the most advanced
nient to carry around and read when the written model in the world. When modern publishers and
papers are fanfolded into a book (as opposed to promoters of paper folding needed a simple word
rolling them in long scrolls). for the art, they looked to Japan, the home of the
With origami, the paper becomes more than folded paper crane, and came up with origami. In
just a wrapper since the design of the folded Japanese ori means to fold and kami means paper.
paper is interesting in some way. Origami is a Since papermaking and paper folding began in
special type of paper folding that often results in Asia, the origami projects presented in this book
a beautiful pattern, a representation of a living naturally convey aspects of Asian culture. Flip
thing, or a familiar or clever object. In Asia, through these pages and you’ll discover a world
spiritual symbolism has been expressed through of chopsticks, Koi fish, and good-luck Darumas!
folded paper shapes and forms.
One of the wonderful aspects of origami is its
simplicity. The folder does not need anything Paper Used for Origami
except something to fold—no glue, no tape, no
string or wire—just a piece of paper! Though Since origami is simply the art of paper folding,
the materials are simple, origami exemplifies any paper can be used. However, choosing the
the ability of the human mind to solve problems best paper for a particular project can be as
and create beautiful harmony. Folding is relaxing important as the folding process. Here are some
and peaceful, but it is also fun and exciting to things to consider:
invent new ways to fold paper. The satisfaction Paper for learning and practicing origami does
of producing a work of beauty, or discovering not have to be fancy or expensive. You should look
something, such as a form that you have never around for papers that are fairly thin and in good
seen before, can be addictive. Certain folders supply, like copier paper or discarded magazines.
specialize in creating origami puzzles, or action You can fold any of the projects in this book with
models—origami that has moving parts, like the these papers. You must, of course, prepare your
Flapping Bird that moves its wings when its tail paper by first cutting it to the proper size and
is pulled—that delights people of all ages. shape for the project (the basic techniques are
The Chinese are credited with the invention of explained in another section of this book). Cut
paper, and they were probably the first to create your papers carefully to make perfect squares,
folded paper designs. But today, paper folding and you will be off to a good start.
is known the world over as origami, a Japanese Once you have learned the folding method for
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an origami model, and you are able to fold it well, you may become your best source of special
you may decide to make a special example using papers if you purchase an extra sheet or two
better paper. There are many beautiful papers to when they are available, or any time you have
consider. a little extra money. Paper folders often get
In the past, you would have probably needed to together to show one another not only what they
visit a large city to find art supply stores that sell have folded, but the papers they have collected
hundreds of different kinds of papers: machine- from their travels. Handmade paper from exotic
made and handmade, in rolls or sheets, and in lands is a wonderful souvenir, and nothing will be
many colors, patterns, and sizes. Today you can more greatly appreciated by your paper folding
order paper by mail. The Internet has numerous friends. If you still cannot find the right paper,
sources of special paper. Suppliers can send try making it yourself! It is not too difficult, and
orders directly to your mailbox. you may be surprised to find information in your
Paper folders (people who enjoy making ori- library, on the Internet, or perhaps from others in
gami) often become paper collectors. Eventually, your town who share a similar interest.
Key to Origami Symbols
The folding method for any origami model can be explained
using this simple system of drawings and symbols. Most
books written from the 1950s through today use this
system developed by Akira Yoshizawa, of Japan, and Samuel
Randlett, of the United States. Mr. Yoshizawa is widely
regarded as the father of modern origami: His origami
designs have inspired many of today’s great origami artists!
Once you become familiar with the meaning of these
symbols, you will be able to learn origami models from
any book—even if it is written in another language! Look
carefully at the different kinds of lines and arrows pictured
on this page. You will see that each symbol has its own
meaning, just like musical notation. If you study the origami X
techniques in the beginning of this book, you will be well
prepared for the more advanced projects.
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Origami Techniques
List of Origami Symbols
• Valley fold • Fold and unfold arrow
Reading the Diagrams
• Mountain fold • Fold in front arrow
By making this simple flower bud you will learn • Follow this spot • Fold behind arrow
how to read the diagrams and symbols: • Rotate symbol
1 2 3
X
X
X
Begin with a square piece of In this case, you must rotate Fold up the left and right sides.
paper, white side up if you are your paper so that the crease Here there is no X on the left and
using origami paper. Fold the made in step 1 is running from right sides. Even without the X, it
paper in half, bottom corner to the top corner to the bottom is a good habit to look ahead to
the top corner, and then unfold. corner. Now lift up the bottom the next step, so you will be able
Here you see what the valley fold corner to make a fold, but do to see what the paper should
(dashed line) is and what the fold not lift it all the way to the top. look like.
and unfold arrow means. Next, See the X, meaning follow this
notice the rotate symbol between spot, at the bottom corner. You
steps 1 and 2. This means that need to look ahead to step 3 to
you must position your paper to see where the X should go.
look like step 2 before making the
next fold.
4 5
X
4
X
Fold the bottom corner to the Now you have the finished flower
back. Here you will see the bud! Make several tiny buds from
mountain fold (broken dashed two-inch square papers and
line) and the arrow meaning fold paste them onto the front of a
behind. handmade card, or save them
to decorate your Hashi Wrapper
project.
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How did you do? If your shape is not very good,
Practice Neat Folding try to figure out what went wrong. Perhaps your
paper is the problem. Check to see if it is really
Neatness is important when you are folding. This square. If the paper is square, perhaps your first
simple exercise will help you practice matching fold, from step 1, was done poorly—every fold
counts! Try again. Practice will help you improve
edges—a straightforward task but a common
your basic folding skills. Teaching others what you
problem for many beginners who do not realize
have learned will improve these skills, too.
how important it will become later on.
2
1
Begin with a square of paper, white side up if you Fold the two bottom edges to meet at the crease
are using origami paper. Fold it in half, corner to in the center. For neatness, fold only one side at
corner, then unfold. Be sure to match the corners a time. Be sure that the edge of the paper aligns
and the edges of the square carefully before you with the crease exactly before you press the paper
press the paper flat to make the crease. flat. This shape is often called the kite base. Many
origami designs begin from this basic shape.
3 4
Fold the kite base in half, from left side to right. This Make several of these and use them to practice
is a good way to check for neatness. Do all of the inside-reverse folding, as explained in the next
edges match? Are the corners neat? section, where you will make an origami duck!
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Learning the Inside-Reverse Fold
In this section you will practice the inside-reverse fold. This is an important origami technique that, with
a little practice, will allow you to complete many origami animal designs. The inside-reverse fold is most
often used to make bends in the paper for the joints of the limbs, neck, and head of an origami animal.
1 2
Begin with a kite base folded in half (see the previ-
ous section for the folding method). Here you see a Begin the fold by opening the kite base from un-
typical drawing of an inside-reverse fold instruction. derneath. Now you can easily push the narrow end
Look at step 4 to see what the paper should look like downward. Notice that only part of the kite base
once it has been inside-reverse folded. Notice that will be valley folded, from the bend in the middle
the corner has been bent inside itself. to the end of the point.
3 4
Once the valley fold portion of the fold is started,
you can begin to fold the shape flat (in half) again. This is what a completed inside-reverse fold
You can push the bent point to any angle you want. should look like.
5 6
Try adding two more inside-reverse folds, one at the
left end and another at the end of the first point.
Notice the turn paper over symbol, which tells you
that after you make the inside-reverse folds, you
should turn the paper over so that it looks similar to This is your finished duck! Make many of them to
the next drawing. become an expert at inside-reverse folding.
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