Leaping Frog Origami

A leaping frog origami design is one of the most creative and enjoyable origami projects. Children will especially love creating this fun, paper toy that actually leaps off the ground when used. When the very back of the frog is pressed, it will leap a few inches into the air.

Learn to make the origami frog base.

Several ways exist to make the leaping frog. Most do not require a lot of skill with origami and some do leap better than other frogs do.

• Leaping Frog: This Metacafe.com video shows the steps to creating a leaping frog. This is a simple design able to be complete by a beginner.
• Detailed Origami Frogs: Visit CutOutAndKeep.com to create a more elaborate frog. This frog features larger back legs and fins along the top of his head. The steps to creating this leaping frog are available at the website. The pictures provided make it easy to create this origami frog.
• Simple Jumping Frog: In this YouTube.com video, the origami artist shows how to create a jumping frog. He offers instructional video demonstrations as well as verbal descriptions of what he is creating. The finished design is a small, simple frog that jumps fairly well.
• Full Frog Origami; For those who wish to create an origami frog that has legs, this video on YouTube.com provides instructions on doing so.

To make a leaping frog origami creation, consider the following steps listed below. In this particular design, you will need a three inch by five-inch index card. You can use a piece of paper of this size, but the weight of the index card allows the frog to jump better.

1. Place the index card in front of you with a short side at the top. If you are using lined paper, this side should be facing up.
2. Fold the top left corner down to the right edge. This creates a triangle. Unfold. Repeat with the top right corner. Unfold.
3. Notice the large "X" on the top portion of the paper. Flip the paper over. The short edge should be at the top. Fold the top edge of the paper down to the bottom of the "X." Unfold.
4. Turn the card over. Poke the center of the "X" which will cause the center of the folds to fall inwards and the outer edges to pop up slightly. If this does not occur, repeat the previous folding step.
5. Scoop the edges. Place a forefinger under each of the slightly elevated edges. Gently pull up and foreword. This brings the sides of the scoop together. They should align with the bottom edge of the "X." Press to flatten. This creates a triangle shape for the top portion of the paper.
6. Using just the triangular shape, fold the left hand corner up to meet the top point. Repeat this with the other side. This will form the frog's arms.
7. When looking at the entire index card, the overall shape should look like a house. Fold the right side of the house in to the center of the paper. Repeat with the left side. These sides should meet in the middle.
8. Fold the bottom of the house up, to meet the top point of the frog. Crease gently.
9. Fold the same section down so that it meets the new bottom of the house. This creates the back legs of the frog.
10. Position the frog on its narrow side. You can probably see the overall shape of the frog forming. Pull out the legs slightly to form a "Z" shape.
11. Turn the frog over. Place it standing up on the table. Give the frog a very light tap on the back fold. This causes the frog to jump off the table.

When creating a jumping or leaping origami frog, remember that the stiffer the paper you use is, the more elevation and distance the frog will get when jumping. Thicker paper does make it more difficult to fold the frog. Try using a bone folder for extra help.

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