Just the other day I did something fun and new. I taught tiny humans how to fold paper and make origami models. There were two classes consisting of 10 preschoolers each. I hadn’t ever taught origami to anyone so young before so I wasn’t sure how things would go. I did a lot of research to look for simple, beginner level, origami model instructions that 4 and 5 year olds would be able to master in 15 minutes. LOL. I wanted two so that if they breezed through the first one we could try a second.
All I can say is they were ADORABLE! I don’t usually spend time around children this young, especially so many at one time, so it was a lot of fun. First of all, their little voices are so cute. They were happy, curious, and very creative. When I asked if anyone had any questions after showing them my work no one said anything. All of a sudden one little girl walked up to me and hugged me *melt*. SO SWEET!
I laid out 6″ squares of origami paper for them and invited them to each choose two they liked. Fortunately there were plenty of grown ups on the field trip with the class so they were my impromptu assistants.
The kids really loved making the swan. I made this photo tutorial so that if they wanted to continue they would have a reference guide to fall back on.
You can try to if you want to just for fun. You can use any size and really, any kind of paper keeping in mind that thicker papers are harder to fold.
1. Begin with a square piece of paper. Here I’m using a 3″ square of origami paper.
2. Face front (printed) side of paper towards tabletop and fold in half at center to create a guideline fold.
3. You’ll end up with a large triangle shape. Then unfold.
4. You’ll use the center crease as a guideline and fold the right outer edge towards the center guideline.
5. Now fold the let outer edge towards the center as well.
6. Your model should look like this.
7. Turn over your model and repeat the same two folds to narrow the shape. Pictured above fold the right outer edge towards the center line.
8. Now fold the left outer edge towards the center.
9. Your model should look like this. Note the dashed line at the center of the model. Fold the model in half taking the point on the bottom and folding up to the point at the top.
10. After the model is folded in half it’s time to fold the head. I like to visualize an imaginary line from the edge of the top corner of the white triangle (the backside of the paper) and fold the paper downward.
11. This is what your model should look like. Layered upon itself accordion style is the body, then neck, then head.
12. Now lift up the model and holding it accordioned together you’ll fold the model in half following the arrows so the left edge and right edge meet together creating the base of the swan.
13. Hold the base with your fingers and use your other hand to gently pull the neck upright away from the body.
Folding Tip: Do not set the neck at a 90º angle from the base, it will be top heavy and have a tendency to tip over. If you fold the neck just before it reaches 90º(pictured with the dotted line at the back of the neck above) or even sooner the weight of the head and neck will rest over the body and will be more stable. Aim for 11 O’Clock or just a bit more instead of all the way to 12 O’Clock.
14. Once the neck is pulled upright be sure to pinch along the base to set the fold in place.
15. Then use the same process holding the neck with one hand and using your other hand to lift the head away from the neck.
16. Then pinch the top of the head to hold the fold in place.
17. Gently push the body apart to create the base the swan sits upon and set on tabletop.
18. Woo hoo! You just made an origami swan!
tinygami 