Are you a fan of classic ninjas toys? If so, you’ll love crafting your own DIY origami ninja star. With just a sheet of paper and little to no experience, you can create an awe-inspiring throwing star that flies straight and twirls gracefully through the air.
In this friendly guide suitable for crafters of all skill levels, we’ll walk you through the steps of folding an origami boomerang ninja star. Join us as we unlock the secrets of paper folding and explore the art of making this iconic throwing star.
Before you begin, gather the necessary supplies. All you need is a sheet of square origami paper in your desired color. We recommend using a brightly colored paper to make your ninja star stand out during flight. Once you have your materials ready, follow along with the steps below to craft your very own origami boomerang ninja star.
How to Make an Origami Boomerang Ninja Star
Follow these steps to craft your own ninja star.
- Choose origami paper.
- Fold paper in half twice.
- Fold in half diagonally.
- Unfold and fold in half opposite way.
- Fold all four corners to the center.
- Flip and repeat on other side.
- Unfold and squash flat.
- Fold in half twice, then unfold.
- Fold each corner to the center crease.
Your origami boomerang ninja star is complete!
Choose Origami Paper
The first step in making an origami boomerang ninja star is choosing the right origami paper. The type of paper you use will affect the durability and flight characteristics of your ninja star.
- Paper Thickness:
Origami paper comes in various thicknesses. For a beginner, we recommend using a medium-weight paper that is easy to fold and holds its shape well.
- Paper Size:
For a boomerang ninja star, you will need a square piece of origami paper. The size of the paper will determine the size of your finished ninja star.
- Paper Color:
Origami paper comes in a wide variety of colors. Choose a color that you like and that will be easy to see when the ninja star is flying.
- Paper Quality:
Origami paper is made from a variety of materials, including rice paper, mulberry paper, and synthetic paper. Choose a paper that is strong and durable, yet still easy to fold.
Once you have chosen the right origami paper, you can begin folding your boomerang ninja star.
Fold Paper in Half Twice
The next step is to fold the paper in half twice. This will create a square with four equal creases.
To do this, follow these steps:
- Place the origami paper in front of you in a diamond shape.
- Fold the top corner down to the bottom corner, creating a triangle.
- Unfold the triangle.
- Fold the right corner to the left corner, creating another triangle.
- Unfold the triangle.
You should now have a square with four equal creases. These creases will serve as guides for the rest of the folds.
Tip: Make sure to fold the paper neatly and precisely. This will help to ensure that your ninja star flies straight and true.
Now that you have folded the paper in half twice, you can move on to the next step.
Fold in Half Diagonally
The next step is to fold the paper in half diagonally. This will create two triangles.
To do this, follow these steps:
- Hold the square piece of paper in front of you.
- Bring the top right corner down to the bottom left corner, forming a triangle.
- Unfold the triangle.
- Bring the bottom right corner up to the top left corner, forming another triangle.
- Unfold the triangle.
You should now have two diagonal creases that intersect in the center of the paper.
Tip: Make sure to fold the paper neatly and precisely. This will help to ensure that your ninja star flies straight and true.
Now that you have folded the paper in half diagonally, you can move on to the next step.
Unfold and Fold in Half Opposite Way
The next step is to unfold the paper and fold it in half the opposite way. This will create two more diagonal creases.
- Unfold the paper:
Unfold the paper so that it is flat again.
- Fold in half opposite way:
Fold the paper in half diagonally, but this time fold the bottom left corner to the top right corner.
- Unfold the paper:
Unfold the paper again.
- Fold in half again:
Fold the paper in half diagonally, but this time fold the top right corner to the bottom left corner.
You should now have four diagonal creases that intersect in the center of the paper.
Fold All Four Corners to the Center
The next step is to fold all four corners of the paper to the center. This will create a smaller square.
- Fold top corner to center:
Fold the top corner of the paper down to the center.
- Fold right corner to center:
Fold the right corner of the paper to the center.
- Fold bottom corner to center:
Fold the bottom corner of the paper to the center.
- Fold left corner to center:
Fold the left corner of the paper to the center.
You should now have a smaller square with four flaps.
Flip and Repeat on Other Side
Once you have folded all four corners to the center on one side, flip the paper over and repeat the process on the other side.
- Flip the paper over:
Turn the paper over so that the unfolded side is now facing up.
- Fold top corner to center:
Fold the top corner of the paper down to the center.
- Fold right corner to center:
Fold the right corner of the paper to the center.
- Fold bottom corner to center:
Fold the bottom corner of the paper to the center.
- Fold left corner to center:
Fold the left corner of the paper to the center.
You should now have a smaller square with four flaps on both sides.
Unfold and Squash Flat
Once you have folded all four corners to the center on both sides, unfold the paper.
- Unfold the paper:
Carefully unfold the paper so that it is flat again.
- Squash flat:
Place your hand on the center of the paper and press down firmly. This will help to flatten the creases and make the paper more compact.
You should now have a flat square piece of paper with eight creases.
Fold in Half Twice, Then Unfold
Next, you will fold the paper in half twice and then unfold it.
- Fold in half vertically:
Fold the paper in half vertically, bringing the left and right edges together.
- Unfold:
Unfold the paper.
- Fold in half horizontally:
Fold the paper in half horizontally, bringing the top and bottom edges together.
- Unfold:
Unfold the paper again.
You should now have a square piece of paper with two intersecting creases.
Fold Each Corner to the Center Crease
The next step is to fold each corner of the paper to the center crease.
To do this, follow these steps:
- Hold the paper in front of you with the two intersecting creases forming a “+” sign.
- Take the top left corner of the paper and fold it down to the center crease.
- Crease the fold well.
- Repeat steps 2 and 3 for the top right, bottom right, and bottom left corners.
You should now have a square with four triangles folded in towards the center.
Tip: Make sure to fold the corners neatly and precisely. This will help to ensure that your ninja star flies straight and true.
Now that you have folded each corner to the center crease, you can move on to the next step.
FAQ
Have more questions about origami? Here are some frequently asked questions and their answers:
Question 1: What is origami?
Answer: Origami is the art of paper folding, which is often used to create beautiful and intricate designs.
Question 2: What are the benefits of origami?
Answer: Origami has many benefits, including improving hand-eye coordination, spatial reasoning, and problem-solving skills. It can also be a relaxing and meditative activity.
Question 3: What kind of paper is best for origami?
Answer: Origami paper is specially designed for folding and is available in a variety of colors and weights. However, you can also use regular paper for simple origami projects.
Question 4: Where can I learn origami?
Answer: There are many resources available to learn origami, including books, websites, and online tutorials. You can also find origami classes at community centers, libraries, and art studios.
Question 5: What are some popular origami projects?
Answer: Some popular origami projects include animals, flowers, stars, and boxes. You can also find origami projects for all skill levels, from beginner to expert.
Question 6: Can I sell origami creations?
Answer: Yes, you can sell origami creations, but it is important to follow copyright laws. If you are selling origami models that you designed yourself, you can keep all of the profits. However, if you are selling origami models that you learned from someone else, you may need to share the profits with the original designer.
We hope this FAQ has answered some of your questions about origami. If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask us.
Now that you know more about origami, you can start folding your own creations. Here are some tips to help you get started:
Tips
Here are a few tips to help you get started with origami:
Tip 1: Start with simple projects.
When you are first starting out, it is best to start with simple origami projects that use a few folds. This will help you to learn the basics of origami and build your confidence.
Tip 2: Use high-quality paper.
Origami paper is specially designed for folding and is available in a variety of colors and weights. Using high-quality paper will make your origami creations look their best.
Tip 3: Be patient.
Origami can be a challenging art form, but it is also very rewarding. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t get it right the first time. Just keep practicing and you will eventually be able to create beautiful and intricate origami designs.
Tip 4: Have fun!
Origami is a great way to relax and de-stress. So find a quiet place, put on some calming music, and enjoy the process of folding paper into something beautiful.
With a little practice, you will be able to create amazing origami creations that will impress your friends and family.
Now that you have some tips to get you started, it’s time to start folding! Origami is a fun and rewarding hobby that anyone can enjoy.
Conclusion
Origami is a fun and rewarding hobby that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and skill levels. It is a great way to improve hand-eye coordination, spatial reasoning, and problem-solving skills. Origami can also be a relaxing and meditative activity.
In this article, we have provided you with a step-by-step guide on how to make an origami boomerang ninja star. We have also included a FAQ section and a tips section to help you learn more about origami and improve your skills.
We hope that this article has inspired you to start your own origami journey. With a little practice, you will be able to create amazing origami creations that will impress your friends and family.
