Origami Activities for Kids: Discover the Magic of Japanese Paper Folding, Learn to Fold Your Own Paper Models

By Michael G. LaFosse

Turn sheets of paper into exciting 3D flowers, animals and accessories—no previous origami experience necessary!

Origami, the Japanese art of folding paper, is not just a great craft activity—it's an exciting way to expand your imagination. Children will have many hours of fun folding the easy origami projects in this book and learning about the surprising art of paper folding.

This origami book for kids has been revised and reformatted; geared specifically to 8-12 year olds, it is an introduction to Japanese culture and crafts. With full-color photos, step-by-step instructions, and 8 sheets of downloadable origami paper, beginning folders can master the straightforward designs.

The 19 origami projects include:

• Lotus Flower
• Japanese Fan
• Chopstick Wrapper
• Dollar-Bill Dragon
• Chinese Zodiac
• Traditional Crane
• Japanese Daruma Doll
• And many more…

Learning how to fold two-dimensional paper squares into three-dimensional objects is not only fun, but helps develop hand-eye coordination and spatial skills by engaging a child's whole brain. Each paper model explores an important aspects of Asian culture—creating an appreciation and awareness of cultural differences in children.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tuttle Publishing
• Release date: Oct 2, 2018
• ISBN: 9781462920297

Book preview

Contents

Introduction

Paper Used for Origami

Key to Origami Symbols

Origami Techniques

Practice Neat Folding

Learning the Inside-Reverse Fold

Making Paper Squares from Rectangles to Rolls

Projects

A Chopsticks Wrapper

Fishing Boat

Pinwheel

Lily Blossom

A Good Luck Triangle Box

A Chinese Good Luck Bat

Lotus Blossom

Masu Box

Shuttle Box

Lotus Box Lid

Japanese Carp

Daruma Doll

Frog

Crane

Cardinal

Dollar Bill Dragon

Blooming Cactus

Chinese Zodiac Wheel

A Paper Fan

How to Download the Bonus Material of this Book.

1. Make sure you have an Internet connection.

2. Click the link below or copy paste the URL to your web browser.

http://www.tuttlepublishing.com/origami-activities-for-kids-downloadable-content

For support, you can email us at [e-mail].

Contents

- Folding Papers (.pdf)

Introduction

The idea of folding materials is an ancient one. Think of the advantages: Folding cloth makes it easy to carry. Folding a letter written on paper keeps its contents secret to the casual passerby. Wrapped in paper, food, medicine, or gifts stay clean and fresh. Documented thoughts, such as stories or journal accounts, are more convenient to carry around and read when the written papers are fanfolded into a book (as opposed to rolling them in long scrolls).

With origami, the paper becomes more than just a wrapper since the design of the folded paper is interesting in some way. Origami is a special type of paper folding that often results in a beautiful pattern, a representation of a living thing, or a familiar or clever object. In Asia, spiritual symbolism has been expressed through folded paper shapes and forms.

One of the wonderful aspects of origami is its simplicity. The folder does not need anything except something to fold—no glue, no tape, no string or wire—just a piece of paper! Though the materials are simple, origami exemplifies the ability of the human mind to solve problems and create beautiful harmony. Folding is relaxing and peaceful, but it is also fun and exciting to invent new ways to fold paper. The satisfaction of producing a work of beauty, or discovering something, such as a form that you have never seen before, can be addictive. Certain folders specialize in creating origami puzzles, or action models—origami that has moving parts, like the Flapping Bird that moves its wings when its tail is pulled—that delights people of all ages.

The Chinese are credited with the invention of paper, and they were probably the first to create folded paper designs. But today, paper folding is known the world over as origami, a Japanese word. There are several possible reasons for this, but perhaps the best involves the Japanese origami crane, one of the most popular designs around the world. This folded paper classic is well documented in Japan’s history and has been folded for at least 400 years. For many years the paper crane was considered the most advanced model in the world. When modern publishers and promoters of paper folding needed a simple word for the art, they looked to Japan, the home of the folded paper crane, and came up with origami. In Japanese ori means to fold and kami means paper.

Since papermaking and paper folding began in Asia, the origami projects presented in this book naturally convey aspects of Asian culture. Flip through these pages and you’ll discover a world of chopsticks, Koi fish, and good-luck Darumas!

Paper Used for Origami

Since origami is simply the art of paper folding, any paper can be used. However, choosing the best paper for a particular project can be as important as the folding process. Here