Ancient origami relied only on the process of folding paper strategically for making different models. Though the advanced paper crafts made these days require glue, scissors, and other accessories, we won’t be using them for the simple models that we will be making here. So just grab a piece of paper and let’s get started.
Chinese paper folding art marked the beginning of origami. Buddhist monks from China took this art of paper folding to Japan, and soon it spread far and wide over there. Initially, the name ‘origami’ was adopted kindergartens, as the written characters were easy for small children to write. Soon, it became a popular as fun craft for kids to learn.
In the following lines, we present instructions for making a couple of easy origami paper models specially chosen to introduce your children to this fine art. Hopefully, the creases and folds that they learn here will help them mold their creativity, and inspire them to make much more advanced paper art in the future.
Note: To make things easier for your kids, print copies of these origami instructions, by clicking anywhere on the instructions listed below.
Airplane
Step 1: Take a square piece of paper, and cut ⅓ of the paper from below to obtain a rectangular piece.
Step 2: Fold the paper in half along the longer side. After folding, open the paper so that you get a reference line along the middle.
Step 3: Fold the top left corner along the reference line to get one triangle.
Step 4: Fold the top right corner along the reference line to get another triangle. At the end of this step, your paper should look like a house with a slanted roof.
Step 5: Now again fold the left side of the paper over the existing triangle along the reference line in the middle to get a triangle.
Step 6: Similarly, fold the right side of the paper over the existing triangle along the reference line in the middle. At the end, your paper should look like a tent.
Step 7:Now fold the whole paper along the reference line, as shown in the figure above.
Step 8: Lastly, fold the upper sides of the paper to form the wings of the airplane. With this step, your paper airplane is ready for take-off!
Boat
Step 1: Take a square piece of paper and fold it in half from one side.
Step 2: Now fold it again along the other side in half, and then unfold it.
Step 3: Fold the top left and right corners along the reference line to get two triangles at the top.
Step 4: Smoothen the creases along the folds by pressing on them with the palms of your hands. At the end of this step, your paper should look like a house with a slanted roof.
Step 5: Fold the bottom edges of the paper upwards on each side, as shown in the figure above. You should now end up with a paper hat!
Step 6: Carefully bring the corner edges of the hat together by pushing on them with both hands – you have to squash the hat from the front and rear sides till you get a square, as displayed in the step below.
Step 7: Take one lower corner of this square and fold it upwards. Flip it over and do the same with the other lower corner of the square. You should end up with a folded triangle.
Step 8: Again squash the triangle into a square by bringing its corners together.
Step 9: Now pull out the corners of the square in the opposite direction simultaneously using both the hands.
Step 10: As the square opens up, it should unfold into a beautiful little paper boat, all set to conquer the calm oceans of bucket water in your washroom as well as the raging seas in the pools and puddles that form in your backyard during the rains!
