Make an Origami Flapping Bird

While there are many instructions for making the traditional Japanese paper "peace" cranes, these instructions will make a flapping bird.

Steps

  1. Get a square piece of paper. To make your own square paper: fold one corner of a sheet of rectangular paper diagonally to form a triangle; then, cut the excess paper away. You can use any size paper, but origami paper and A4 paper are the best.
  2. Fold a large X into the paper. If you haven’t already, fold the square in half diagonally. Repeat in the other direction. Unfold the paper and you should see the X.
  3. Turn the paper over. Make sure the ever-so-slightly-raised center of the X points up (like the top of a very flat pyramid).
  4. Fold a large + into the paper. First both vertically and horizontally to form a + that intersects with the center of the X. When you’re done, the creases of the + will bend in the opposite direction as those of the X.
  5. Bring all of the corners in toward the center. The shape is similar to the origami “fortune teller” (a.k.a. “cootie catcher”) used in children’s games.
  6. Flatten the paper into a square. Turn the paper, so that you have a diamond with the open end facing you.
  7. Fold the top edges of the diamond inwards toward the center line. Start by making sure the opening is at the top of the diamond. Grab the right-hand corner of the upper layer and fold it downwards and inwards toward the center, then repeat on the left-hand side. Flip the paper over and repeat on the other layer.
    • Grab the right-hand corner of the upper layer and fold it downwards and inwards toward the center, then repeat on the left-hand side.
    • Flip the paper over and repeat on the other layer.
  8. Gently unfold all the folds you made in Step 7.
  9. Pull up the bottom corner of the diamond, opening it up. Flatten. Turn the paper over and repeat. You should end up with a kite shape.
  10. Hold your new diamond shape with the split end up and fold each of the top points so that they point downward and outward to the sides.
  11. Fold the remaining layers of the kite downwards (front and back).
  12. Take one of the side points formed in step 10 and pinch the tip to form the head. Pull it down slightly, reverse its crease, and bend it downwards.
  13. Round the wings. Pull them outwards away from the body and round them with your hands.
  14. Make your bird flap. Pinch and pull the bird by the neck and tail.



Tips

  • The thinner the piece of paper you are using the easier it will be to fold.
  • The sharper and more precise your creases are, the easier your projects will become.

Warnings

  • Be careful with scissors.
  • Avoid paper cuts.

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