Origami, the Japanese art of paper folding, is a fun and creative way to make amazing sculptures and shapes out of a single piece of paper. From simple to complex, there are countless origami designs to choose from, including animals, flowers, and even geometric patterns.
In this article, we’ll teach you how to make an origami T. Rex, a mighty and fierce dinosaur that once roamed the Earth. With just a few simple folds and creases, you’ll be able to create your own paper T. Rex in no time. So gather your materials, and let’s get started on this fun origami project!
To make an origami T. Rex, you’ll need a square piece of paper. Any color or pattern will do, but a darker color will make the T. Rex look more realistic. Once you have your paper, fold it in half twice, first horizontally and then vertically, to create a crease in the center.
How to Make an Origami T. Rex
Follow these simple steps to create your own origami T. Rex:
- Start with square paper.
- Fold in half twice.
- Unfold and squash fold.
- Fold top corners to center.
- Fold bottom corners to center.
- Flip and repeat steps.
With a few more folds and creases, you’ll have your very own origami T. Rex!
Start with square paper.
To make an origami T. Rex, you’ll need a square piece of paper. Square paper is essential because it allows you to make symmetrical folds and creases, which are crucial for creating the T. Rex’s shape and proportions.
- Choose the right size paper:
The size of the paper you use will determine the size of your finished T. Rex. For a small T. Rex, you can use a 6-inch square piece of paper. For a larger T. Rex, you can use an 8-inch or 10-inch square piece of paper.
- Use different colors and patterns:
You can use any color or pattern of paper you like to make your T. Rex. However, darker colors and more realistic patterns will make your T. Rex look more impressive.
- Make sure the paper is flat:
Before you start folding, make sure the paper is flat and free of wrinkles. This will help you make clean and precise folds.
- Use a bone folder or your fingernail:
To make sharp and crisp folds, you can use a bone folder or your fingernail to crease the paper. A bone folder is a tool specifically designed for origami and paper crafts, but you can use your fingernail if you don’t have one.
Once you have chosen the right paper and prepared it properly, you can start folding your origami T. Rex!
Fold in half twice.
After you have chosen and prepared your square piece of paper, the next step is to fold it in half twice. This will create a crease in the center of the paper, which will be used as a reference for many of the subsequent folds.
- First fold:
Hold the paper square in front of you with the colored side facing up. Fold the paper in half from top to bottom, bringing the top edge down to meet the bottom edge. Crease the fold sharply with a bone folder or your fingernail.
- Unfold:
Unfold the paper so that it returns to its original square shape.
- Second fold:
Fold the paper in half from left to right, bringing the left edge to meet the right edge. Crease the fold sharply.
- Unfold again:
Unfold the paper so that it returns to its original square shape.
Now you should have a square piece of paper with two creases intersecting in the center. These creases will help you make the T. Rex’s head, body, and tail in the next steps.
Unfold and squash fold.
After you have folded the paper in half twice, you need to unfold it and make a squash fold. This fold will create the basic shape of the T. Rex’s body.
To make a squash fold:
- Hold the paper square in front of you with the colored side facing up and the two creases intersecting in the center.
- Bring the top left corner down to meet the bottom right corner, forming a triangle.
- Crease the fold sharply with a bone folder or your fingernail.
- Unfold the triangle.
- Bring the top right corner down to meet the bottom left corner, forming another triangle.
- Crease the fold sharply.
- Unfold the triangle.
You should now have a square piece of paper with four diagonal creases. These creases will help you fold the T. Rex’s head, body, and tail in the next steps.
The squash fold is a fundamental origami fold that is used in many different origami models. It is a versatile fold that can be used to create a variety of shapes and forms.
Fold top corners to center.
After you have made the squash fold, you need to fold the top corners of the paper to the center. This will create the T. Rex’s head and neck.
- Fold the left top corner to the center:
Hold the paper square in front of you with the colored side facing up and the four diagonal creases from the squash fold. Fold the left top corner down to meet the center crease. Crease the fold sharply.
- Fold the right top corner to the center:
Fold the right top corner down to meet the center crease. Crease the fold sharply.
- Unfold the top corners:
Unfold the top corners so that they return to their original positions.
- Fold the top corners to the center again, but this time make a squash fold:
Fold the left top corner down to meet the center crease, but this time squash fold it. To make a squash fold, bring the corner down to the center crease, then fold it back up slightly so that the edge is parallel to the center crease. Crease the fold sharply. Repeat this step with the right top corner.
You should now have a square piece of paper with two triangular flaps at the top. These flaps will be used to form the T. Rex’s head and neck in the next steps.
Fold bottom corners to center.
After you have folded the top corners to the center, you need to fold the bottom corners to the center. This will create the T. Rex’s tail.
- Fold the left bottom corner to the center:
Hold the paper square in front of you with the colored side facing up and the two triangular flaps at the top. Fold the left bottom corner up to meet the center crease. Crease the fold sharply.
- Fold the right bottom corner to the center:
Fold the right bottom corner up to meet the center crease. Crease the fold sharply.
- Unfold the bottom corners:
Unfold the bottom corners so that they return to their original positions.
- Fold the bottom corners to the center again, but this time make a squash fold:
Fold the left bottom corner up to meet the center crease, but this time squash fold it. To make a squash fold, bring the corner up to the center crease, then fold it back down slightly so that the edge is parallel to the center crease. Crease the fold sharply. Repeat this step with the right bottom corner.
You should now have a square piece of paper with two triangular flaps at the bottom. These flaps will be used to form the T. Rex’s tail in the next steps.
Flip and repeat steps.
Once you have folded the top and bottom corners to the center, you need to flip the paper over and repeat the steps on the other side. This will create the T. Rex’s other side.
- Flip the paper over:
Hold the paper square in front of you with the colored side facing up and the two triangular flaps at the top and bottom. Flip the paper over so that the uncolored side is facing up.
- Repeat steps 1-4 from the previous section:
Repeat steps 1-4 from the previous section, “Fold top corners to center” and “Fold bottom corners to center”, to fold the top and bottom corners to the center on this side of the paper.
- Unfold the paper:
Once you have folded the top and bottom corners to the center on both sides of the paper, unfold the paper so that it returns to its original square shape.
- Crease the folds:
Crease all of the folds sharply with a bone folder or your fingernail. This will help the T. Rex hold its shape.
You should now have a square piece of paper with two triangular flaps at the top and bottom on both sides. These flaps will be used to form the T. Rex’s head, neck, and tail in the next steps.
FAQ
Cool Origami: Frequently Asked Questions
If you have any questions about cool origami, check out these frequently asked questions and answers:
Question 1: What is cool origami?
Answer: Cool origami is a type of origami that is visually appealing, unique, and often challenging to fold. It can include a wide range of subjects, from animals and flowers to geometric shapes and abstract designs.
Question 2: What are some popular cool origami models?
Answer: Some popular cool origami models include the origami rose, the origami dragon, the origami butterfly, the origami elephant, and the origami heart.
Question 3: What are some tips for folding cool origami?
Answer: Here are a few tips for folding cool origami:
- Start with a square piece of paper.
- Make sure your folds are precise and sharp.
- Use a bone folder or your fingernail to crease the folds.
- Be patient and don’t get discouraged if you don’t get it right the first time.
Question 4: Where can I find instructions for folding cool origami models?
Answer: You can find instructions for folding cool origami models in books, magazines, websites, and videos.
Question 5: Can I use any type of paper to fold cool origami?
Answer: You can use any type of paper to fold cool origami, but some papers are better than others. Thinner papers are easier to fold, while thicker papers hold their shape better.
Question 6: Can I use cool origami to decorate my home or office?
Answer: Yes, you can use cool origami to decorate your home or office. Origami models can be displayed on shelves, hung from walls, or used as centerpieces.
Closing Paragraph:
These are just a few of the frequently asked questions about cool origami. With a little practice, you can learn to fold all sorts of amazing origami models that will impress your friends and family.
Now that you know a little more about cool origami, check out the next section for some tips on how to fold it like a pro.
Tips
Here are a few tips to help you fold cool origami like a pro:
Tip 1: Start with a square piece of paper.
This is the most important tip for folding origami, as it ensures that your model will be symmetrical and balanced. You can use any size or color of paper you like, but a square piece of paper is essential.
Tip 2: Make sure your folds are precise and sharp.
This will help your model hold its shape and look its best. To make a sharp fold, use a bone folder or your fingernail to crease the fold firmly.
Tip 3: Be patient and don’t get discouraged.
Origami can be challenging, especially at first. But don’t get discouraged if you don’t get it right the first time. Keep practicing and you’ll eventually be able to fold even the most complex models.
Tip 4: Use different types of paper to create different effects.
You can use any type of paper to fold origami, but some papers are better than others. For example, thinner papers are easier to fold, while thicker papers hold their shape better. You can also use different colors and patterns of paper to create different effects.
Closing Paragraph:
With a little practice and these tips, you’ll be able to fold all sorts of amazing origami models that will impress your friends and family. So get started today and see what you can create!
Now that you have some tips for folding cool origami, check out the next section for a conclusion and some final thoughts.
Conclusion
Summary of Main Points:
In this article, we learned about cool origami, a type of origami that is visually appealing, unique, and often challenging to fold. We discussed some popular cool origami models, as well as some tips for folding cool origami like a pro.
Closing Message:
Origami is a fun and rewarding hobby that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Cool origami is a great way to challenge yourself and create something truly unique and special. So get started today and see what you can create!
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced folder, I encourage you to explore the world of cool origami. There are endless possibilities, so let your creativity run wild and see what you can come up with.
