Origami is a set of age-old paper folding techniques that were developed in Asia. Since then, hundreds of thousands of different folding arrangements were created, allowing paper to be designed into anything from simple boxes to animals and more! We’ve developed some great origami designs to make from our fantastic R15208 Really Big Origami Paper. Give your students a fun activity that will keep them busy exercising those little fingers and gaining an understanding of step-by-step procedures.

While you’re at it, talk to your students about the cultural significance of the Cherry Blossom or Sakura Festival in Japan. This year, our thematic post is going out for the Sakura Festival which has begun celebrations in Vancouver, British Columbia on April 4, 2013! In some regions of Japan, the Sakura Festival begins in January or March and lasts a few months into the spring season. During these periods, the somei-yoshino trees erupt into a beautiful assortment of pink and white flowers. Several cities in the United States and Canada feature parks where sakura trees have been planted. Research some cities nearby your location to find where these trees appear and organize a field trip to visit some of these spectacular places!

Duration: 5-10 minutes for each origami project

Age: 6+

You’ll need:

• R15208 Really Big Origami Paper

In this special edition post, I’ve decided to make the step-by-step instructions as videos that can be viewed on most players. I think it’s much more easier to show the instructions for things as intricate as origami patterns as you’ll be able to see every fold and crease detail in the video.

I’ve put together 6 awesome animal designs that your students will love to try out! Included in this post are the video origami patterns for making a frog, fish, crane, butterfly and bird. Students can make a boat for those that are interested in making a practical craft.

Each origami pattern has a special difficulty, between Easy, Medium and Challenging. Pick the origami pattern that suits your students’ paper-folding skills.

NOTE: Slow down or pause each video wherever needed to give you a full understanding of how to make the various folds.

BIRD (Medium)

BOAT (Easy)

BUTTERFLY (Medium)

CRANE (Medium)

FISH (Challenging)

JUMPING FROG (Challenging)

According to origami tradition, it’s considered good luck to present a friend or family member with a finished origami design. Pass on the good luck to people around you!

Send us your origami art to to us! Contact us through the contact form. We’d love to see your creations!