Learn how to fold an origami crane in just 6 easy steps by following this simple kid-friendly paper craft tutorial.
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The origami crane is a classic pattern. You can make it any size, large or small, with just a square piece of paper. This little crane can flap its wings. All you have to do is hold the front of the crane in one hand and pull on the tail with the other.
Once you make one of these, you’ll want to make a whole flock! Hang them from a mobile or a garland. Line up a rainbow of colorful origami cranes to display on a shelf.
This pattern is a bit trickier than some of the others we’ve shared, so it’s probably best for older kids. If you’re looking for an easier bird to fold, try making this origami bird.
Origami paper folding tips
- Start with a perfect square of paper (unless the pattern calls for something different). Use a ruler to double-check that all sides are even.
- Use origami paper if you can. This paper is just the right weight and thickness, and it often comes cut to size.
- Young kids can learn to fold origami but may learn better by copying an adult. Sit beside your child, rather than across from them, so that they can see exactly what you’re doing.
- To make a crease, use the edge of a pencil or ruler, or your fingernail to make the crease nice and crisp.
- Traditionally origami doesn’t include glue. But you may want to add some in a few places to ensure your folds stay put, especially if the finished design is a toy.
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How to make an origami crane
Supplies
- 1 square piece of origami paper or craft paper
- scissors
- ruler
- pencil
Instructions
Prep the paper by measuring and cutting it into a square. We started with a 3.5-inch square piece of paper to make a bird that measures about 2 inches in each direction.
1. Crease in half
Fold the paper in half horizontally and unfold it, then repeat vertically. This should give you 4 square creases. Next, flip the paper over and fold diagonally, unfold, and then fold and unfold it along the other diagonal. This will mark each square with a diagonal crease toward the center.
2. Make a diamond
Fold the paper in half along two opposite corner creases. Push in the creased sides so that the paper makes a diamond shape, with all the corners at the bottom.
3. Fold in both sides
Fold in the sides to make a kite shape by taking the outside corners and folding them toward the center. Flip the paper over and repeat, then crease the top triangle.
4. Fold the bottom corners up
Unfold the kite folds you made in step 3, then take the bottom corners and pull up. It should fold where the crease from the top triangle is. Flip the paper over and repeat.
5. Make the wings
Turn the paper, opening the folded sides and folding them toward the opposite sides. The shape will be similar, but instead of the open ends at the bottom, the open ends will be at the top. Then fold the triangle up to create the wings.
6. Create the details
Pull the neck and tail outward slightly, then push the end of the neck inward and down to fold the head. Next fold the wings down at an angle, toward the head.
You now have a completed flapping crane! You can make it fly by holding the front legs and gently pulling the tail.
Printable instructions
Origami Crane
Materials
- square piece of origami paper or craft paper
- scissors
- ruler
- pencil
Instructions
- Prep the paper by measuring and cutting it into a square. We started with a 3.5-inch square piece of paper to make a bird that measures about 2 inches in each direction.
- Fold the paper in half horizontally and unfold it, then repeat vertically. This should give you 4 square creases. Next, flip the paper over and fold diagonally, unfold, and then fold and unfold it along the other diagonal. This will mark each square with a diagonal crease toward the center.
- Fold the paper in half along two opposite corner creases. Push in the creased sides so that the paper makes a diamond shape, with all the corners at the bottom.
- Fold in the sides to make a kite shape by taking the outside corners and folding them toward the center. Flip the paper over and repeat, then crease the top triangle.
- Unfold the kite folds you made in step 3, then take the bottom corners and pull up. It should fold where the crease from the top triangle is. Flip the paper over and repeat.
- Turn the paper, opening the folded sides and folding them toward the opposite sides. The shape will be similar, but instead of the open ends at the bottom, the open ends will be at the top. Then fold the triangle up to create the wings.
- Pull the neck and tail outward slightly, then push the end of the neck inward and down to fold the head. Next fold the wings down at an angle, toward the head.
- You now have a completed flapping crane! You can make it fly by holding the front legs and gently pulling the tail.
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