Let’s make an origami crane in 9 simple steps. This beautiful origami crane is great for older kids in elementary school and adults – younger children may struggle with the first time but’ll still have fun during the whole process! Grab a square piece of paper and let’s get started. 

Before we delve into the folding process, let’s take a moment to appreciate the history behind this ancient Japanese art of paper folding. The origami crane holds a special place in Japanese culture as a symbol of peace, hope, and healing. Legend has it that folding one thousand paper cranes brings good luck and grants the folder a wish. Isn’t that sweet?

Step-By-Step Instructions

Step 1. 

Begin with a square piece of paper, preferably origami paper, but regular paper works just fine too. Orient it so that the colored side is facing down, if it has one.

Step 2. 

Make mountain folds by folding the top corner to the bottom corner, forming a diagonal crease. Then, make valley folds by folding the left edge to the right edge, creating a horizontal crease. Unfold the paper after making both folds.

Step 3. 

Fold the top corners down to meet the bottom corner, creating a triangle. Your paper should resemble a kite shape.

Step 4. 

Fold and unfold the bottom edges of the triangle to the central crease. Repeat this step on the backside of the paper.

Step 5. 

Push in the corners of the triangle, following the creases created in the previous step. This will form a diamond shape. Repeat this step on the backside of the paper as well.

Step 6. 

Fold up the front flap of the diamond along the central horizontal line. Repeat this step on the backside.

Step 7. 

Fold in the bottom edges of the diamond, two in the front and two in the back, creating a smaller diamond shape.

Step 8. 

Inside reverse fold the bottom corners of the diamond, tucking them inward to form the base of the crane.

Step 9.

For the head and wings, inside reverse fold one corner to create the beak and fold down the wings.

Your origami crane is now complete!

Extra tips

Experiment with different paper textures to create unique origami birds. You can find origami paper at craft stores, or simply use regular paper for your origami projects.

Yield: 1

Origami Crane

Print

Make a beautiful origami crane in simple steps with our tutorial, perfect for kids and adults!

Active Time 15 minutes

Total Time 15 minutes

Difficulty Medium

Estimated Cost $1

Materials

• Square origami paper

Instructions

1. Begin with a square piece of paper, preferably origami paper, but regular paper works just fine too. Orient it so that the colored side is facing down, if it has one.
   
2. Make mountain folds by folding the top corner to the bottom corner, forming a diagonal crease. Then, make valley folds by folding the left edge to the right edge, creating a horizontal crease. Unfold the paper after making both folds.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. Fold the top corners down to meet the bottom corner, creating a triangle. Your paper should resemble a kite shape.
   
   
4. Fold and unfold the bottom edges of the triangle to the central crease. Repeat this step on the backside of the paper.
   
   
   
   
   
5. Push in the corners of the triangle, following the creases created in the previous step. This will form a diamond shape. Repeat this step on the backside of the paper as well.
   
   
6. Fold up the front flap of the diamond along the central horizontal line. Repeat this step on the backside.
   
   
7. Fold in the bottom edges of the diamond, two in the front and two in the back, creating a smaller diamond shape.
   
   
8. Inside reverse fold the bottom corners of the diamond, tucking them inward to form the base of the crane.
   
   
   
   
9. For the head and wings, inside reverse fold one corner to create the beak and fold down the wings.
   
   
   
   
10. Your origami crane is now complete!
    

Notes

Experiment with different paper textures to create unique origami birds. You can find origami paper at craft stores, or simply use regular paper for your origami projects.

More Origami Tutorials For Kids From Kids Activities Blog

Once you’ve mastered the traditional origami crane, try exploring other origami models! 

• Check out tons of paper craft tutorials right here!
• Easy origami flower ideas for kids.
• Why not make a super cute origami shark bookmark?
• Here are step-by-step instructions to make an origami star.
• Get a square piece of paper to transform into a beautiful origami box.
• We have two origami heart cards you can fold for that special someone.
• Grab a dollar bill to make a dollar bill origami dog in easy steps.
• This origami dollar heart is a great way to turn a simple one-dollar bill into a unique gift. 

Did you have fun folding this origami crane?