Paper Folding Crafts

One of the simplest, most entertaining, and least messy forms of paper craft is paper folding. This craft is known as origami in Japan, where it has been an art form for hundreds of years. The word itself, however, comes from two Chinese characters: ori, meaning "folding," and kami, meaning "paper."

There is a special paper you can buy for origami, but you can substitute other common papers you might have on hand. The traditional paper used for origami is brightly colored on one side and white on the other. Gift wrap often has a pattern or solid color on one side only, so it makes a nice pinch-hitter. It's great for origami because it makes a nice, crisp edge. And usually, the cheaper the wrap, the thinner the paper, and the crisper the edge. So look for inexpensive wrapping paper in discount stores and stock up! Also try shelf paper, brown wrapping paper, or newspaper (which works great for a folded paper hat). Even waxed paper is interesting for some projects.

With most origami projects you will need to begin with a square. The size of your square will depend on what you want the final project to look like and how manageable you want it to be.

To make a square out of any piece of paper, follow this simple procedure:

1. Fold the upper corner of the rectangle over and down until it meets the opposite edge.

2. Cut off the excess from the bottom so that the two bottom edges are even.

3. Unfold and you have a perfect square.

Origami is the ultimate traveling craft. No glue or scissors are needed-just paper squares and a hard surface to work on. It's also a great thing to do when confined in bed. Origami makes entertaining others or occupying yourself on a moment's notice a breeze, and it's always a big hit with small children. It should be required learning for all parents-to-be, baby-sitters, teachers, and grandparents!

The great escape artist and magician, Harry Houdini, was an avid paper folder and master of the craft. Other famous people who were into origami include Lewis Carroll, Leonardo da Vinci, and M.C. Escher. In the Orient, Spain, and Argentina, there are actually schools of origami and several countries have origami societies.

The paper cup project is one of several origami projects children enjoy, since they love containers to put things in.

Many other simple projects are included in Origami for Beginners: The Creative World of Paperfolding by Florence Temko.

Teaching Origami

What's the best way to teach origami to children? Here are some tips for making it a fun experience for you and them:

• Before making a figure, practice it several times until it comes out right every time. There's no better way to lose a kid's attention than to be looking back and forth at instructions while trying to teach.

• If possible, have the child sit next to you. If you're working with several children, stand in front of them, make the fold, and then turn around and hold it up so it's facing the same way they are.

• For best results, make sure you and the child are working on a fairly large, flat surface.

• Try teaching the process one fold at a time. You do a fold, then watch as the child copies you. You may want to do one all the way through first, then break it down step by step.

• Starting from a larger square is easier for younger children. Older children can be challenged more by working in increasingly smaller squares.

• Use newspaper for making a prototype yourself. Children like this, too, because they'll know it's "just for practice." Save a good sheet of paper for the second or third go-round.

• Consider contacting your local newspaper for some newspaper roll ends. That would give you some really BIG pieces of paper. Newsprint's a great, economical craft material.

Air-Craft: Paper Airplanes

Another popular form of paper folding is making paper airplanes. These lend themselves to outdoor fun, as well as all forms of decoration. Simpler airplanes only require folding, but more sophisticated versions can be cut in various ways to change their flight worthiness and quality of flight. Try our paper airplane project by clicking the link.

Now that you're an experienced paper airplane builder, you'll want to try more sophisticated models. There are lots of great books about paper airplane building, and even a couple of computer programs that teach the basics and print out patterns. Try The Greatest Paper Airplanes software from Kitty Hawk. It uses animation and illustration, and allows you to print out patterns, in color, on your printer.

Whether you're making a simple aircraft or one fit for the upper atmosphere, here are some tips for making better paper airplanes:

• Use light to medium paper. Heavier paper is appropriate for some types of paper airplanes, but it's hard for a beginner to fold.

• Accuracy counts. Make folds carefully and crease them with a fingernail or ruler. You want them crisp and precise.

• The first fold is especially important. It needs to be even or your plane will be off balance.

• Practice makes perfect. Make the same plane design several times. After you've mastered the basic procedure, try it with different weights of paper and experiment with slight variations.

From here, anything's possible. Once you've become a master paper airplane engineer, you may want to branch out into other forms of construction with paper, such as paper scale modeling and kite building.

Excerpted from The Complete Idiot's Guide to Crafts with Kids © 1998 by Georgene Lockwood. All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. Used by arrangement with Alpha Books, a member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

To order this book visit the Idiot's Guide web site or call 1-800-253-6476.