Original Origami Paper
Add original textures and color to origami! Make crayon rubbings and then fold the paper for one-of-a-kind crafts.
1. Personalize your origami designs by creating your own origami paper. Use the sides of Crayola Triangular Crayons with the wrappers removed to create rubbings of different textures. Look for textures in unexpected places. Lay paper over the textured item and rub with any side of the crayon—they’re just the right shape for rubbings. Some hard, flat surfaces to try are coins, bricks, tile floor, rubber stamps, or a woven basket…the possibilities are endless! Experiment to choose the textures you like best.
2. Cut paper into a square. Make your crayon rubbing. Cover your painting area with newspaper. Then paint over your texture design using Crayola Washable Watercolors. The crayon will act as a wax resist and the texture will show through the paint. For best results, use less water and apply several coats. Air-dry between each paint layer.
3. Fold your paper in any design you wish. Here are two possibilities.
4. To fold an origami cup, place your decorated paper face down. Fold the square in half diagonally, creasing along the center line running between opposite corners. This will create a large triangle. Orient the paper so the point is facing away from you and the folded edge is toward you. Take the right hand point and fold it over to the left edge. The point should intersect the left edge about one third of the way down the edge from the top point. The top edge of the smaller triangle you just created should be parallel to the bottom edge of the original large triangle. Now grasp the top point and fold one layer of paper down so the undecorated side of your paper shows. Crease this fold along the top edge of the smaller triangle created in the last step. Flip the paper over and repeat the last two folds on the other side. Your origami cup is complete!
5. To fold a dog face, place your decorated paper face down. Fold the square in half diagonally, creasing along the center line running between opposite corners. This will create a large triangle. Orient the paper so the point is facing toward you and the folded edge is away from you. Take the top left point over to the top right point and create a center line crease from the top edge to the bottom point, then unfold. Flip your triangle over so the fold rises like a mountain. Make sure the point is still pointing toward you. Take the left point and fold it over to create an ear. Make the crease approximately halfway between the left point and the center line. Repeat this step using the right point to create a mirror image. Fold the bottom point under and create a crease parallel to the top of the dog’s head. If you choose, glue on eyes, a nose, and a mouth to complete your dog’s face.
Adult supervision is required for any arts & crafts project. Observe children closely and intervene as necessary to prevent potential safety problems and ensure appropriate use of arts and crafts materials. Some craft items, particularly beads and buttons, are potential choking hazards for young children. Avoid use of such small parts with children younger than 3 years. Craft items such as scissors, push pins and chenille sticks may have sharp points or edges. Avoid use of materials with sharp points by children younger than 4 years. Read all manufacturers' safety warnings before using arts and craft supplies.
Crayola Washable Paints—Not for use as body/face paint.
Scissors—ATTENTION: The cutting edges of scissors are sharp and care should be taken whenever cutting or handling. Blunt-tip scissors should be used only by children 4 years and older. Pointed-tip scissors should be used only by children 6 years and older.
- Split students into groups to make their own original origami. Illustrate the steps for each fold. Groups teach others in the class how to make their origami.
- Students research the origins of origami. Find and try a new origami design. Students present their research findings and completed design. They share what was exciting and/or frustrating about the folding process.
- Two students sit back to back. One student holds the origami paper (the builder) and the other student reads the origami instructions (the coach). The coach uses only words to tell the builder how to make the origami. After each fold, the builder describes how the paper looks (without showing the coach the paper) to see if it is right. Afterward, describe what was challenging about the exercise.
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