Origami, the Japanese art of paper folding, is a fascinating craft that can produce intricate and beautiful creations from a single sheet of paper. One of the most popular origami subjects is the bird, and there are many different designs to choose from, ranging from simple to complex.
In this article, we will provide a step-by-step guide on how to make a simple origami bird. This design is perfect for beginners and can be completed in just a few minutes. With a little practice, you will be able to create beautiful origami birds that you can display in your home or give as gifts to friends and family.
To begin, you will need a square sheet of paper. Any type of paper can be used, but origami paper is ideal because it is thin and easy to fold. Once you have your paper, follow these steps:
How to Make an Origami Bird
Follow these simple steps to create a beautiful origami bird:
- Prepare square paper
- Fold in half diagonally
- Unfold and fold in half again
- Unfold and fold in half vertically
- Unfold and fold in half horizontally
- Fold left and right edges to center
- Fold top point down to center line
- Fold bottom point up to center line
- Fold left and right corners down
Your origami bird is now complete! You can open up the wings and tail to make it look like it’s flying.
Prepare square paper
The first step in making an origami bird is to prepare a square piece of paper. You can use any type of paper, but origami paper is ideal because it is thin and easy to fold. Origami paper is also available in a variety of colors and patterns, so you can choose the perfect paper for your bird.
To make a square piece of paper, you can start with a rectangular piece of paper and cut off the excess. Or, you can use a square piece of paper that is already cut. If you are using a rectangular piece of paper, follow these steps:
- Place the rectangular piece of paper in front of you in a landscape orientation.
- Fold the top edge down to the bottom edge.
- Unfold the paper.
- Fold the right edge to the left edge.
- Unfold the paper.
- Fold the paper in half diagonally from the top right corner to the bottom left corner.
- Unfold the paper.
- Fold the paper in half diagonally from the top left corner to the bottom right corner.
- Unfold the paper.
- You should now have a square piece of paper.
If you are using a square piece of paper that is already cut, you can skip the steps above and proceed to the next step.
Once you have your square piece of paper, you are ready to start folding your origami bird.
Fold in half diagonally
The next step is to fold the square piece of paper in half diagonally. This will create a triangle.
Fold from top right to bottom left
To do this, place the square piece of paper in front of you in a diamond orientation (with one corner pointing up and the other pointing down). Then, fold the top right corner down to the bottom left corner.
Crease the fold
Once you have folded the paper in half diagonally, crease the fold by running your fingernail along it. This will help to keep the fold in place.
Unfold the paper
After you have creased the fold, unfold the paper.
Repeat steps 1-3 with the other diagonal
Now, fold the paper in half diagonally from the top left corner to the bottom right corner. Crease the fold and then unfold the paper.
You should now have a square piece of paper with two diagonal creases. These creases will help you to fold the origami bird in the next steps.
Unfold and fold in half again
Once you have folded the square piece of paper in half diagonally twice, you will need to unfold it and fold it in half again, but this time in a different direction.
Unfold the paper completely
To do this, simply open up the paper so that it is flat again.
Fold the paper in half vertically
To fold the paper in half vertically, place the paper in front of you in a portrait orientation (with one edge facing up and the other facing down). Then, fold the right edge to the left edge.
Crease the fold
Once you have folded the paper in half vertically, crease the fold by running your fingernail along it.
Unfold the paper
After you have creased the fold, unfold the paper.
You should now have a square piece of paper with two diagonal creases and one vertical crease. These creases will help you to fold the origami bird in the next steps.
Unfold and fold in half vertically
Once you have folded the square piece of paper in half diagonally twice and unfolded it, you will need to fold it in half vertically.
Place the paper in portrait orientation
To do this, hold the paper so that one of the edges is facing up and the other edge is facing down.
Fold the right edge to the left edge
To fold the paper in half vertically, bring the right edge of the paper to the left edge. Make sure that the edges line up evenly.
Crease the fold
Once you have folded the paper in half vertically, crease the fold by running your fingernail along it. This will help to keep the fold in place.
Unfold the paper
After you have creased the fold, unfold the paper.
You should now have a square piece of paper with two diagonal creases and one vertical crease. These creases will help you to fold the origami bird in the next steps.
Unfold and fold in half horizontally
Once you have folded the square piece of paper in half diagonally twice, unfolded it, and folded it in half vertically, you will need to unfold it and fold it in half horizontally.
Place the paper in landscape orientation
To do this, hold the paper so that one of the edges is facing left and the other edge is facing right.
Fold the top edge to the bottom edge
To fold the paper in half horizontally, bring the top edge of the paper to the bottom edge. Make sure that the edges line up evenly.
Crease the fold
Once you have folded the paper in half horizontally, crease the fold by running your fingernail along it. This will help to keep the fold in place.
Unfold the paper
After you have creased the fold, unfold the paper.
You should now have a square piece of paper with two diagonal creases, one vertical crease, and one horizontal crease. These creases will help you to fold the origami bird in the next steps.
Fold left and right edges to center
Once you have folded the square piece of paper in half diagonally twice, unfolded it, and folded it in half vertically and horizontally, you will need to fold the left and right edges to the center.
Fold the left edge to the center crease
To do this, bring the left edge of the paper to the vertical crease in the center of the paper. Make sure that the edge lines up evenly with the crease.
Crease the fold
Once you have folded the left edge to the center crease, crease the fold by running your fingernail along it. This will help to keep the fold in place.
Fold the right edge to the center crease
Now, fold the right edge of the paper to the vertical crease in the center of the paper. Make sure that the edge lines up evenly with the crease.
Crease the fold
Once you have folded the right edge to the center crease, crease the fold by running your fingernail along it. This will help to keep the fold in place.
You should now have a rectangle with two diagonal creases, a vertical crease, and two horizontal creases. The left and right edges of the rectangle should be folded in to the center crease.
Fold top point down to center line
Once you have folded the left and right edges of the rectangle to the center crease, you will need to fold the top point down to the center line.
To do this, follow these steps:
- Locate the top point of the rectangle.
- Fold the top point down to the horizontal crease in the center of the rectangle.
- Crease the fold by running your fingernail along it.
You should now have a shape that resembles a diamond with two diagonal creases, a vertical crease, and two horizontal creases. The top point of the diamond should be folded down to the center line.
This step is important because it will help to create the head and beak of the origami bird.
In the next step, you will need to fold the bottom point up to the center line.
Fold bottom point up to center line
Once you have folded the top point of the diamond down to the center line, you will need to fold the bottom point up to the center line.
To do this, follow these steps:
- Locate the bottom point of the diamond.
- Fold the bottom point up to the horizontal crease in the center of the diamond.
- Crease the fold by running your fingernail along it.
You should now have a shape that resembles a square with two diagonal creases, a vertical crease, and two horizontal creases. The top and bottom points of the square should be folded to the center line.
This step is important because it will help to create the body and tail of the origami bird.
In the next step, you will need to fold the left and right corners down.
Fold left and right corners down
Once you have folded the top and bottom points of the square to the center line, you will need to fold the left and right corners down.
Fold the left corner down to the center crease
To do this, bring the left corner of the square down to the vertical crease in the center of the square. Make sure that the edge of the corner lines up evenly with the crease.
Crease the fold
Once you have folded the left corner down to the center crease, crease the fold by running your fingernail along it. This will help to keep the fold in place.
Fold the right corner down to the center crease
Now, fold the right corner of the square down to the vertical crease in the center of the square. Make sure that the edge of the corner lines up evenly with the crease.
Crease the fold
Once you have folded the right corner down to the center crease, crease the fold by running your fingernail along it. This will help to keep the fold in place.
You should now have a shape that resembles a bird with two wings. The left and right corners of the square should be folded down to the center crease.
FAQ
Have questions about origami? Here are some frequently asked questions and answers to help you get started:
Question 1: What is origami?
Answer 1: Origami is the Japanese art of paper folding. It is a fun and challenging way to create beautiful and intricate shapes from a single sheet of paper.
Question 2: What kind of paper is best for origami?
Answer 2: Origami paper is ideal because it is thin and easy to fold. However, you can use any type of paper, such as printer paper, construction paper, or even newspaper.
Question 3: Where can I learn how to fold origami?
Answer 3: There are many resources available to learn how to fold origami, including books, websites, and online tutorials. You can also find origami classes at your local community center or art studio.
Question 4: What are some popular origami folds?
Answer 4: Some popular origami folds include the crane, the boat, the airplane, and the rose. These folds are relatively easy to learn and can be made with a variety of different types of paper.
Question 5: What are some tips for folding origami?
Answer 5: Here are a few tips for folding origami:
- Start with simple folds and work your way up to more complex ones.
- Use precise folds and creases to ensure that your origami model is accurate.
- Be patient and don’t get discouraged if you make a mistake. Just unfold the paper and try again.
Question 6: What are some fun things to do with origami?
Answer 6: Once you have mastered the basics of origami, you can start to create your own origami models. You can also use origami to decorate your home, make gifts for friends and family, or even enter origami competitions.
Origami is a great way to relax and de-stress, and it can also help to improve your hand-eye coordination and spatial reasoning skills.
These are just a few of the many questions that people have about origami. If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask me.
Now that you know a little bit more about origami, you can start folding your own origami models. Here are a few tips to help you get started:
Tips
Here are a few tips to help you fold origami like a pro:
Tip 1: Start with simple folds.
Don’t try to start with a complex fold if you’re a beginner. Start with simple folds like the crane or the boat. Once you’ve mastered the basics, you can move on to more challenging folds.
Tip 2: Use precise folds and creases.
When you’re folding origami, it’s important to make precise folds and creases. This will ensure that your origami model is accurate and looks its best. To make a precise fold, use your fingernail to score the paper along the fold line. Then, fold the paper along the score line and crease it firmly.
Tip 3: Be patient and don’t get discouraged.
Origami can be challenging, especially if you’re a beginner. But don’t get discouraged if you make a mistake. Just unfold the paper and try again. With practice, you’ll be able to fold origami models quickly and easily.
Tip 4: Use the right paper.
Origami paper is ideal for folding origami because it is thin and easy to fold. However, you can use any type of paper, such as printer paper, construction paper, or even newspaper. If you’re using a thick paper, you may need to score the fold lines before folding.
Tip 5: Have fun!
Origami is a great way to relax and de-stress. So, have fun with it! Experiment with different folds and see what you can create.
These are just a few tips to help you get started with origami. With practice, you’ll be able to fold beautiful and intricate origami models.
Now that you know the basics of origami and have some tips to help you get started, you can start folding your own origami models. Origami is a fun and rewarding hobby that can be enjoyed by people of all ages.
Conclusion
Origami is a fun and challenging art form that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It is a great way to relax and de-stress, and it can also help to improve your hand-eye coordination and spatial reasoning skills.
In this article, we have provided a step-by-step guide on how to make a simple origami bird. We have also included a FAQ section and a tips section to help you get started with origami.
We hope that this article has inspired you to try origami for yourself. With a little practice, you will be able to fold beautiful and intricate origami models.
Origami is a wonderful way to express your creativity and to share your love of paper folding with others. So, grab a sheet of paper and start folding!
Thank you for reading!
