Origami, the art of paper folding, is a fun and rewarding hobby that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and skill levels. One of the most iconic origami figures is the crane, a symbol of peace and good luck. With a little time and patience, you can learn how to make an origami crane with ease.
Origami cranes are made using a square piece of paper. You can use any type of paper, but origami paper is specifically designed for folding and holds creases well. If you don’t have origami paper, you can use regular printer paper or construction paper. Just be sure to cut it into a square.
Once you have your square piece of paper, follow these step-by-step instructions to make an origami crane:
origami crane instructions easy
With a few simple folds, create a symbol of peace.
- Start with square paper.
- Make preliminary folds.
- Fold in half diagonally.
- Unfold and squash flat.
- Fold in half again.
- Unfold and make bird base.
- Fold to form crane shape.
- Add details and enjoy.
Origami cranes are often used for decoration, given as gifts, or strung together to make garlands. They are also a popular choice for origami competitions.
Start with square paper.
The first step in making an origami crane is to start with a square piece of paper. You can use any type of paper, but origami paper is specifically designed for folding and holds creases well. If you don’t have origami paper, you can use regular printer paper or construction paper. Just be sure to cut it into a square.
To cut a square piece of paper, follow these steps:
- Start with a rectangular piece of paper.
- Fold the paper in half lengthwise.
- Unfold the paper.
- Fold the paper in half widthwise.
- Unfold the paper.
- You should now have two crease lines that intersect in the center of the paper.
- Fold the paper along one of the diagonal crease lines.
- Unfold the paper.
- Fold the paper along the other diagonal crease line.
- Unfold the paper.
- You should now have four crease lines that intersect in the center of the paper.
- Cut the paper along one of the diagonal crease lines.
You will now have a square piece of paper that you can use to make an origami crane.
Once you have your square piece of paper, you can follow the rest of the instructions to make an origami crane.
Make preliminary folds.
Once you have your square piece of paper, you need to make some preliminary folds to create the basic shape for the crane.
- Fold the paper in half diagonally.
Bring the top right corner of the paper down to the bottom left corner, forming a triangle. Crease the fold well.
- Unfold the paper.
Return the paper to its original square shape.
- Fold the paper in half again, this time diagonally in the opposite direction.
Bring the top left corner of the paper down to the bottom right corner, forming a triangle. Crease the fold well.
- Unfold the paper again.
Return the paper to its original square shape.
These preliminary folds will help you to create the bird base, which is the foundation for the origami crane.
Fold in half diagonally.
The first step in making the bird base is to fold the paper in half diagonally.
- Bring the top right corner of the paper down to the bottom left corner.
Crease the fold well. This fold will create a crease line that runs from the top right corner to the bottom left corner.
- Unfold the paper.
Return the paper to its original square shape.
- Bring the top left corner of the paper down to the bottom right corner.
Crease the fold well. This fold will create a crease line that runs from the top left corner to the bottom right corner.
- Unfold the paper again.
You should now have two crease lines that intersect in the center of the paper.
These two diagonal folds are the first step in creating the bird base.
Unfold and squash flat.
After you have made the two diagonal folds, you need to unfold the paper and squash it flat.
To do this, follow these steps:
- Open up the paper so that it is flat again.
- Place your hands on the two diagonal crease lines, with your thumbs at the center of the paper.
- Push your thumbs down and away from each other, while simultaneously pulling the corners of the paper up and towards you.
- Continue pushing and pulling until the paper is flat and the diagonal crease lines are sharp.
Squashing the paper flat will help to create the bird base, which is the foundation for the origami crane.
Once you have unfolded and squashed the paper flat, you can proceed to the next step, which is to fold the paper in half again.
Fold in half again.
After you have unfolded and squashed the paper flat, you need to fold the paper in half again, this time along a different axis.
To do this, follow these steps:
- Orient the paper so that the diagonal crease lines are running from top left to bottom right and from top right to bottom left.
- Fold the paper in half from top to bottom, aligning the top edge of the paper with the bottom edge.
- Crease the fold well.
- Unfold the paper.
This fold will create a new crease line that runs from top to bottom in the center of the paper.
Once you have folded the paper in half again, you can proceed to the next step, which is to unfold the paper and make the bird base.
Unfold and make bird base.
After you have folded the paper in half again, you need to unfold it and make the bird base.
To do this, follow these steps:
- Open up the paper so that it is flat again.
- Fold the top right corner of the paper down to the bottom edge, aligning the right edge of the paper with the bottom edge.
- Crease the fold well.
- Unfold the paper.
- Fold the top left corner of the paper down to the bottom edge, aligning the left edge of the paper with the bottom edge.
- Crease the fold well.
- Unfold the paper.
- You should now have two vertical crease lines that intersect in the center of the paper.
- Fold the left and right edges of the paper into the center, aligning them with the vertical crease lines.
- Crease the folds well.
- Unfold the paper.
- Fold the top and bottom edges of the paper into the center, aligning them with the vertical crease lines.
- Crease the folds well.
- Unfold the paper.
- You should now have a square shape with four flaps.
- Fold the top and bottom flaps up, aligning them with the horizontal crease line.
- Crease the folds well.
- Fold the left and right flaps in, aligning them with the vertical crease lines.
- Crease the folds well.
- You should now have a diamond shape.
This is the bird base, which is the foundation for the origami crane.
Once you have made the bird base, you can proceed to the next step, which is to fold the crane’s head and tail.
Fold to form crane shape.
Once you have made the bird base, you can fold it to form the crane shape.
- Fold the top layer of the bird base down.
Crease the fold well.
- Fold the bottom layer of the bird base up.
Crease the fold well.
- Fold the left and right sides of the bird base in.
Crease the folds well.
- Unfold the top and bottom layers of the bird base.
You should now have a diamond shape again.
The next step is to fold the crane’s head and tail.
Add details and enjoy.
Once you have folded the crane’s head and tail, you can add some details to make it more realistic.
- Fold the crane’s wings.
To do this, fold the top corners of the diamond shape down and to the sides. Crease the folds well.
- Fold the crane’s beak.
To do this, fold the top point of the diamond shape down and to the front. Crease the fold well.
- Draw on the crane’s eyes.
You can use a pen or marker to draw on the crane’s eyes.
- Enjoy your origami crane!
You can display your crane on a shelf or hang it from a string.
Origami cranes are a beautiful and easy way to add a touch of elegance to your home or office. They also make great gifts for friends and family.
FAQ
Origami is the art of paper folding, which is a fun and rewarding hobby that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and skill levels. Here are some frequently asked questions about origami art:
Question 1: What is the best paper for origami?
Answer: Origami paper is specifically designed for folding and holds creases well. However, you can use any type of paper, such as printer paper or construction paper. Just be sure to cut it into a square.
Question 2: What are some easy origami folds for beginners?
Answer: Some easy origami folds for beginners include the paper airplane, the boat, the fish, and the crane. You can find instructions for these folds online or in origami books.
Question 3: What are some tips for folding origami?
Answer: Here are some tips for folding origami:
- Start with simple folds and work your way up to more complex ones.
- Use precise folds and creases.
- Be patient and don’t get discouraged if you make a mistake.
- Practice regularly to improve your skills.
Question 4: What are some popular origami models?
Answer: Some popular origami models include the crane, the dragon, the butterfly, the rose, and the heart. You can find instructions for these models online or in origami books.
Question 5: What are some creative ways to use origami?
Answer: Origami can be used in many creative ways, such as making cards, gift boxes, decorations, and even furniture. You can also use origami to teach children about geometry and math.
Question 6: Where can I learn more about origami?
Answer: There are many resources available to learn more about origami, such as books, websites, and YouTube videos. You can also find origami classes and workshops in many communities.
Origami is a beautiful and rewarding art form that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and skill levels. With a little practice, you can learn to create amazing origami models that will impress your friends and family.
Now that you know more about origami, you can start folding your own origami models. Be sure to check out the tips section below for more helpful advice.
Tips
Here are a few tips to help you get started with origami and improve your skills:
Tip 1: Start with simple folds.
Don’t try to start with complex folds right away. Start with simple folds and work your way up to more complex ones as you gain experience. There are many resources available online and in books that can teach you basic origami folds.
Tip 2: Use precise folds and creases.
When folding origami, it’s important to make precise folds and creases. This will help to ensure that your model turns out correctly. Use a bone folder or your fingernail to make sharp creases.
Tip 3: Be patient and don’t get discouraged.
Origami can be challenging at first, but it’s important to be patient and not get discouraged. If you make a mistake, simply unfold the paper and start over. With practice, you’ll be able to fold more complex models with ease.
Tip 4: Practice regularly.
The best way to improve your origami skills is to practice regularly. The more you practice, the better you’ll become at folding different models. Try to set aside some time each week to practice origami.
With a little practice, you’ll be able to create amazing origami models that will impress your friends and family. Origami is a beautiful and rewarding art form that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and skill levels.
Now that you have some tips to help you get started with origami, it’s time to start folding! Be sure to check out the conclusion section below for some final thoughts on origami.
Conclusion
Origami is a beautiful and rewarding art form that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and skill levels. With a little practice, you can learn to create amazing origami models that will impress your friends and family.
In this article, we’ve provided you with a step-by-step guide to making an origami crane, as well as some tips to help you get started with origami and improve your skills. We’ve also answered some frequently asked questions about origami art.
We hope that you’ve found this article helpful and informative. If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment below.
Origami is a great way to relax, de-stress, and be creative. It’s also a fun and educational activity that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. So what are you waiting for? Start folding today!
