Origami is perceived by many as simple children’s entertainment. Contrary to this stereotype, making figures out of paper can be called a full-fledged philosophical discipline. Born in the East, this decorative and applied art features deep symbolism and includes a huge number of directions and goals. For some people, this exotic hobby is a great way to calm their nerves and distract themselves from everyday problems. For others, it’s a way to have fun and please their children with a beautiful handmade toy.
We have selected the best video origami tutorials for beginners to help you learn how to make amazing paper figures right at home.
Long-Distance Paper Airplane
Most children did origami without even knowing the term. It is hard to find a child who has never constructed a simple paper airplane – one of the most basic figures. At all times, the highest level of skill was considered the ability to make models with a maximum flight range. This video offers step-by-step instructions for folding a paper airplane with “improved aerodynamic characteristics.”
Classic Paper Boat
The second legendary figure of our childhood is the paper boat. Many have seen handmade sails floating in spring streams. With the advent of the Internet, everyone now has the opportunity to learn how to make one. A combination of a few simple steps, and the boat is ready. Its assembly does not require much skill: even an unprepared person can fold this miniature watercraft. Even if there are slight inaccuracies, the figure will turn out stable and will stay afloat. This skill will also come in handy for creating a newspaper hat, as the folding schemes are very similar.
Making a Paper Speedboat
For true connoisseurs and aesthetes, a classic ship may seem like a basic figure. A mini-speedboat will be a worthy alternative. It looks beautiful, unusual, and very similar to its real-life prototype. A slight mismatch of angles is acceptable here. The main difficulty is the last stage – turning the rectangle inside out, which is required for the streamlining and roundness of the vessel. During this process, the paper often wrinkles and tears. However, with due perseverance and willpower, your small speedboat will be successfully built.
Origami Crane
A true classic in all its manifestations. In Japan, this figure is called the “bird of happiness.” It gained wide popularity after the story of Sadako Sasaki, a young resident of Hiroshima. As a result of the 1945 atomic bombing, the girl developed leukemia. Following the legend of the “thousand origami cranes,” Sadako began to diligently make them. She did not reach the required number, and her cherished wish for recovery did not come true. The Japanese girl died, and in the Land of the Rising Sun, the paper crane became a symbol of the struggle for life and the rejection of war. A mismatch in proportions will be a serious mistake here: the craft will turn out crooked and will not be able to “flap its wings.”
Paper Parrot
The assembly involves working with small details and a large number of folds. The slightest mistake disrupts the balance of the figure. The lack of voice commentary from the creator makes achieving the goal a bit more difficult. For people who want to develop their intuition and creative independence in this complex craft, this tutorial is the most suitable option.
Jumping Paper Frog
Origami is not limited to creating static symbols. Its applied orientation involves folding fully functional toys.
This video shows all the steps for creating the most famous trinket – a paper frog. At the end of the lesson, the author shares a method for improving the jumping properties of the toad. If you press the figure with your finger, it will jump high, which will easily captivate any child.
It is best to make this craft from a green A4 sheet. This way, the frog will look much more realistic.
Paper Fortune Teller
Many children were fond of this simple method of fortune-telling: they made a flower with a moving bud, asked a question, and found the answer to it by spreading the petals a certain number of times. The “fortune teller” can also play the role of an anti-stress toy. Moving the sections will amuse a toddler and calm an adult.
3D Pop-Up Greeting Card
Some decorative objects absolutely amaze a child’s imagination. The “Magic Ring” looks like an animation or a kaleidoscope. It’s hard to believe that this toy is formed manually from ordinary paper. Despite the brightness, visual appeal, and seeming difficulty, even a child can cope with the task, especially thanks to the visual clarity of the tutorial. Great attention is paid to marking, smoothing sharp corners, and the movement of the ring itself. Any drawing can be placed on the edge of the 3D card. The craft will “work” perfectly and will cheer up both the little origami artist and their parents.
3D Origami Christmas Tree
In traditional origami, the use of glue and scissors is undesirable. The appearance of large forms is possible by connecting several crafts into one, just like in a construction set. A similar example is considered in the lesson on creating a Christmas tree. For this, you will need only a few colored sheets of different sizes, perseverance, and a great desire to decorate your apartment with your own New Year’s creation. The video tutorial shows the assembly of the trunk and green pyramids. The viewer will have to learn how to correctly “inflate” the details – a skill that will be useful when working with other paper crafts. Repetition of actions solidifies muscle memory and allows you to correct any shortcomings at an early stage. The instructions also provide an opportunity to adjust the size of the tree by selecting sheets with specific perimeters.
Paper Tulip
An artificial paper tulip is created quickly and easily. A lack of experience in origami will not be an obstacle here: the bud and stem do not require a strictly perfect shape. Approximate measurements will be quite enough. This guide will help you present a lovely handmade gift for your mother, grandmother, sister, or daughter. Unlike fresh flowers, a handmade flower will be kept indefinitely and can even become a family keepsake.
Paper Sword with Sheath
With regular practice, the skill level of beginners increases. Basic exercises become too easy, and this forces future masters to move on to more complex tasks, like this impressive sword.
Face-Changing Cube
The design consists of several steps and requires very little time. The video demonstrates the stages of assembling the figure from scratch and drawing the faces.
Origami Mouse
The video provides step-by-step instructions on how to create a cute paper mouse at home.
Bright DIY Gift Bag
This master class proves that an original gift bag can be easily made with your own hands.
Children’s Paper Gun
The viewer just needs to follow the tips from the video, and they will end up with a construction that will easily surprise friends and acquaintances.
Mini Paper Book
Origami Flower
Paper Crown
Origami Butterfly
You can build beautiful butterflies by carefully repeating the actions from the video tutorial. The butterfly needs to be folded slowly and thoughtfully, which is facilitated by the author’s consistent explanation.
Paper Seashell
Due to the high degree of detailing and folding, the seashell figure falls into the category of increased complexity.
Simple Origami Animals
DIY Paper Star
Pen and Pencil Holder
Origami Dinosaur
The art of origami perfectly develops fine motor skills, dexterity, logical thinking, and creativity.
Making Paper Glasses
The initial impression of the simplicity of paper crafts is often deceptive. This hobby is impossible without deep concentration and diligence. A single unsuccessful fold can lead to frayed corners of the figure and a violation of its proportions. When watching these lessons, you need to prepare in advance for occasional failures and redos. But with practice, your origami skills will reach new heights!
