Origami for Kids

If you're interested in learning more about origami for kids, you've come to the right place. LoveToKnow Origami is here to provide the information you need to get your children started on this fascinating and creative craft.

Origami is a great craft for children.

Origami is the traditional art of Japanese paper folding. The most well-known origami project is the Japanese paper crane, but crafters today can make a number of animals as well as flowers and other decorative objects. Historically, origami projects are done without cutting or gluing the paper, although many modern designs do incorporate these techniques.

In addition to being fun, origami is a very educational activity for children. The ability to follow step-by-step instructions to create an object from a simple scrap of paper translates well into many areas. For example:

• Origami for kids helps young children master fractions, since many projects specify folding the paper into halves or thirds.
• Visualizing the end result of an origami project helps kids improve their spatial reasoning skills.
• Completing basic origami projects often inspires kids to learn more about Asian cultures and traditions.
• Practicing origami teaches kids the value of patience and persistence in learning new skills, since most projects will require a few attempts before the basic folds are mastered.

When teaching origami for kids, it's helpful to keep in mind the following tips:

• Take the time to practice folding the figures on your own before attempting to teach the pattern to your child.
• If you're not specifically using a project labeled as being for children, consider leaving out a few of the finishing folds to make the design easier for young crafters.
• While you shouldn't let your child get overly frustrated, it's not a good idea to automatically rush in to help. Let your child enjoy the sense of accomplishment that comes with figuring things out on his own.
• Don't expect perfection! For children, origami should be about enjoying the process. If the folds are a bit off center or the paper is slightly wrinkled, it doesn't really matter.

If you're looking for a good basic introduction to origami before you attempt to teach the craft to a child, consider reviewing the Origami Basics Web site. This resource discusses the cultural history of origami, essential folding techniques, the symbols used in origami diagrams, and other information of general interest to origami newcomers.

Online origami resources for children include:

• Kids Web Japan has origami trivia, origami folding tips, and basic origami projects to introduce kids to the craft.
• Activity TV has children's origami video tutorials and printable project instructions.
• Activity Village has origami instructions neatly sorted into categories such as animals, flowers, and holiday decorations.
• Origami Kids is a children's craft site focused mostly on instructions for paper airplanes and boats.
• Tammy Yee's Origami Page has an impressive collection of print and fold origami projects for children.
• Family Fun has a fish, boat, turtle, and pond for kids to print and fold. While they don't look like traditional origami designs, they are a fun way to introduce kids to the basic concept of the craft.
• The Origami Resource Center has links to projects that can be completed in 10 steps or less, making them good starting points for kids interested in the craft.

For more origami project ideas, don't forget to check out your local library. Most libraries have several origami books in the reference section.

Printable origami papers are a great way for kids to enjoy crafting on a budget. Finding pretty origami paper can be difficult, but kids can enjoy choosing the designs for their creations by downloading papers from Konnichiwa. These PDF files measure 6x6 inches and can be printed as many times as necessary to master the steps involved in a particular design.

• Origami Business Card Holder
• Simple Origami Bird Directions
• Origami Paper Folding into Pots
• Origami Background And History
• Origami Facts

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• Main Page
• Instructions to Printable Origami Animals
• Origami Patterns for Children
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• Slideshow:Easy Origami for Kids