Materials Needed:
- A square sheet of origami paper (preferably green)
- A flat surface to work on
Step 1: Get Your Origami Paper Ready
Start by laying your origami paper flat on the working surface. If you don’t have origami paper, you can use any square-shaped paper, such as colored printer paper or even a page from a magazine. Just make sure it is thin enough to fold easily.
Step 2: Fold the Paper in Half
Take the bottom left corner of the paper and fold it diagonally to meet the top right corner. Make sure the edges align perfectly, then crease the fold and unfold it. This step will serve as a guideline for future folds.
Step 3: Fold the Paper Diagonally in the Opposite Direction
Repeat the previous step, but this time fold the bottom right corner diagonally to meet the top left corner. As before, crease the fold and then unfold it. Your paper should now have two intersecting creases in the shape of a cross.
Step 4: Fold the Bottom Edges Towards the Center
Take the bottom edge of the paper and fold it upwards to meet the center of the cross. Repeat the same fold with the other bottom edge. These folds will form the frog’s hind legs. Ensure the creases are sharp.
Step 5: Fold the Top Edge Downwards
Now take the top edge of the paper and fold it downwards, so it slightly overlaps with the bottom folded edges. This fold will create the frog’s head.
Step 6: Fold the Corners to Create the Eyes
On each side of the frog’s head, take the top layer of paper and fold it downwards diagonally, creating two small triangles. These triangles will become the frog’s eyes.
Step 7: Create the Frog’s Hind Legs
Rotate the paper so that the folded edges are at the bottom. Take one layer of the hind leg and fold it diagonally upwards. Repeat the fold on the other side. Make sure the creases are sharp, allowing the frog to stand properly.
Step 8: Make the Jumping Mechanism
Flip the frog over, so its belly is facing up. On the bottom side, fold the hind legs at a slight angle, creating a small pocket between them. This pocket will enable your frog to jump when pressed.
Step 9: Your Origami Frog is Ready!
Congratulations! You have successfully completed your origami frog. To make it jump, gently press down on the back of the frog while holding its hind legs in place. Experiment with different levels of force to achieve different jumping distances.
Origami is a wonderful activity for all ages. It not only improves focus and concentration but also enhances hand-eye coordination. Now that you have mastered the art of making an origami frog, you can explore more advanced origami figures and share your creations with others.
So, grab a sheet of paper and let your creativity take flight!