You can make a cute stretchy origami frog with just a piece of paper and a few basic skills. You will see that, when you press the back of the frog, it will jump! To do this, start by creating a square and then make a few simple folds.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Prepare the paper
Step 1. Choose a piece of paper
You can use traditional printing paper, colored paper, or origami paper. Usually the latter is square. However, you can start with a rectangular one and place it on a table in front of you.
You can find origami paper at craft or stationery stores
Step 2. Fold the top corners over the center of the paper
Fold the upper right corner diagonally so that the tip of this corner meets the opposite corner of the paper. The top side of the paper should line up with the left side to form a triangle. Press the fold with your finger to create a crease, then unfold it. Then do the same with the upper left side and unfold the paper again. You will now have folds in the shape of an "X".
Step 3. If you started with a rectangular piece of paper, trim off the excess
Fold the bottom edge of the paper to form a crease that runs horizontally from one bottom end of the "X" to the other. Trim the excess under this crease with scissors or carefully tear it off. Now you will have a square sheet with an "X" in the middle.
- If, on the other hand, you started with a square piece of paper, skip this step.
- If you are not sure where to make the horizontal crease, fold the top left or right corner as you did in the previous step to create a triangular shape. Trim the excess below the bottom edge of the fold.
Part 2 of 4: Create the Frog's Front Legs
Step 1. Fold the paper in half
Lay the paper on the table so that the bottom edge is facing you. Fold the top half horizontally so that the top two corners meet the bottom. Then press the fold with your finger and open it again. This new fold should cross the "X", thus forming a pattern similar to an asterisk or a star.
Step 2. Pinch the sides to form a triangle
Center the paper on the table so that the bottom edge is facing you. Push the folds of the horizontal crease at the top toward the center. In doing so, the square will take the shape of a triangle with two sides.
To make both sides fold in more easily, re-fold the horizontal crease you made in the previous step, but in the opposite direction
Step 3. Fold one corner of the triangle up
Lay the triangle on the table so that the long edge is facing you. The long edge of the triangle is divided into four points, with two on each side. So take the corner of the top layer to the right and fold it until it touches the tip of the triangle. Then use one finger to create the crease.
Step 4. Move the opposite corner up
Bring the corner of the top layer to the left side of the triangle and fold it so that it touches the tip of the triangle. Lastly, use one finger to create the crease. Now the paper should look like a triangle with a diamond in the middle.
Step 5. Fold the right corner of the diamond inward
With the base of the triangle facing you, take the right corner of the diamond and fold it so that the right edge is aligned with the center line. Then use one finger to create a crease.
Step 6. Fold the left corner of the triangle inward
With the base of the triangle facing you, take the left corner of the diamond and fold it so that the left edge is aligned with the center line. Then use one finger to create a crease.
Step 7. Create the front legs of the frog
The tip of the triangle, below the diamond layer, is divided into two sides. Fold the right side to the right so that its edge lines up with the right edge of the diamond and creates a crease. Then fold the left side to the left so that its edge lines up with the right edge of the diamond and creates a crease as well.
Part 3 of 4: Create the Frog's Hind Legs
Step 1. Turn the paper over
Place it on the table so that the bottom of the triangle is facing you. Now you will see how the frog begins to take shape! The front legs should now protrude below the tip of the triangle.
Step 2. Fold the bottom corners
Fold the lower right corner from the tip of the triangle to the center, forming a vertical line at this point, and then create a crease. Next, fold the lower left corner in the same way, so that its edge lines up with the other side in the center. You will now have created an oblong diamond.
Step 3. Fold the inside edges out
Fold the right half of the diamond outward so that its inner edge lines up with the outer, and then create a crease. Next, fold the left half of the diamond outward in the same way, so that the inner edge lines up with the outer, and then create a crease. These new triangles will be the back legs of the frog.
Part 4 of 4: Finish Making the Frog
Step 1. Fold the frog in half
Position it so the long back legs are facing you, then fold it in half, near the narrowest part of the body. Make sure to fold the legs under the frog's "body" and then create a crease.
Step 2. Create a crease for the frog's hind legs
While the frog is still bent in half and its legs are facing you, turn it over. Fold the legs up so that the horizontal part of the paper that runs between the legs lines up with the bottom of the frog (the fold you made in the previous step). Lastly, create a crease.
Step 3. Make the frog jump
Place the frog on its hind legs, and then press and release the center folds to make it jump. Have fun! These frogs should jump and roll smoothly.
If your paper frog doesn't turn out right, make sure all the folds are in the correct places. You can also try thicker paper, which tends to improve jumping
Advice
- Create the creases in the corners well, so that the frog will “jump” better.
- The first time you make this frog, try it with lined paper (to make the folds more even) and then use a different paper to copy the project.
- This craft is perfect for children's parties!
- It could also be a good activity for the Day of the Jump.
- There are other methods of folding a jumping frog that will help you continue to improve your origami skills.