Origami for Beginners and Beyond

Folding origami can be a meditative process, and requires so few materials to make such stunning results! As a bonus, the precise folding required helps develop spatial awareness, fine motor control, and sequencing skills, benefitting the brains of adults as well as children. Working through the occasional frustration during the learning process makes the resulting piece of art that much more rewarding!

If you have never tried origami before, the traditional penguin pattern is the perfect place to begin. Find a square piece of paper (or make your own - you'll find instructions below) and follow along here:

What if you don't have square origami paper at home? That's no problem! You can make your own using rectangles such as notebook paper or computer paper. You can even re-purpose items like junk mail or gift wrap. Follow along in the video below to make a perfectly square piece of paper:

Traditional origami folds were simple, often used as toys for children or as teaching tools, but origami has developed into a complex art form in recent decades. To learn more patterns, check out some of the resources below:

Origami takes center stage in the children's stories below: