Origami, the ancient art of paper folding, has been practiced for centuries and continues to be popular today. A favorite subject for origami enthusiasts is creating animals, which can range from simple to complex designs. In this article, we will feature three ways to make origami animals that are perfect for beginners and those looking to explore this fascinating craft.

1. Origami Crane

The origami crane is one of the most iconic and well-known creations in the world of paper folding. It is believed that creating a thousand cranes will bring good luck and happiness.

Materials:

– One square piece of paper

– A flat surface

Instructions:

1. Begin by folding the paper in half diagonally to create a triangle.

2. Fold the triangle in half again, creating an even smaller triangle.

3. Unfold the paper, revealing the two creases that form an X shape.

4. Fold the paper horizontally and vertically, making two additional creases.

5. Use the creases as guides, collapse the four corners into a square base.

6. Lift one flap on each side and fold them towards the center crease line.

7. Take each newly folded edge and fold them once more towards the center.

8. Fold up the bottom triangle in front and behind your model.

9. Pull both outer edges outward into a diamond shape.

10. Fold down each tip formed in step 9 to line up with your newly folded edges.

11. Finally, elongate the two folded tips by gently pulling them outward and downwards, shaping them into wings.

2. Origami Fox

An origami fox is perfect for beginners due to its simple design yet adorable appearance.

Materials:

– One square piece of orange paper

– A flat surface

Instructions:

1. Start by folding the paper in half diagonally, forming a right triangle.

2. Fold it again along the new long edge, creating an even smaller triangle.

3. Take one corner and fold it downwards to form the fox’s head and snout.

4. Fold the model in half along the vertical axis.

5. Gently open the model and tuck the bottom layer to create a small pocket for a three-dimensional look.

3. Origami Jumping Frog

This fun origami animal not only looks cute but also can jump, thanks to its springy structure.

Materials:

– One square piece of green paper

– A flat surface

Instructions:

1. Fold the paper in half, creating a rectangle.

2. Fold it again lengthwise, resulting in an even smaller rectangle.

3. Open up your paper, revealing four equal-sized rectangular sections.

4. Fold each corner towards the center line.

5. Fold both top edges back toward the outer edges to form an X shape at the top half.

6. Fold up your bottom section to cover the lower portion of the X shape.

7. Finally, fold your paper in half twice more (both ways), which forms your jumping frog model.

Now that you have learned how to make three different origami animals, it’s time to practice and explore new designs using this ancient art form. With patience and creativity, you can transform simple pieces of paper into beautiful and intricate creations.