This spring, more than ever, you will need to have a couple of activities at your disposal for days when the kids will no doubt say that they are bored. Fun & Easy Origami Animals can give your children something to do, and…origami also counts as math (but don’t let them know this), and the final models can be put in the window or given away to your neighbours to brighten their day, too.
Thank you, Tuttle Publications, for sending us a copy of Fun & Easy Origami Animals: Full-color Instructions For Beginners by Michael G. LaFosse to try out and review.
This paperback book contains 19 animal models as well as a small packet of paper included in the back, just to get you going. I would recommend you also have additional paper on hand as children will no doubt want to create more items than there is paper. This gives you the wonderful opportunity to explore all the different paper kits and choose some fun papers to work with.
This book gives a little bit of the history around paper folding, as well as how to choose the right origami paper. There are some instructions on how to recognize the origami symbols and how to practice neat folding and successfully conquer the inside-reverse fold. Each origami artist may do things slightly different so it’s always good to go over that information before you begin.
You’ll find easy instructions on how to fold:
- Cardinal
- Carp
- Chameleon
- Hummingbirds
- Turtle
- Baby bird
- Horseshoe crab
- Crane
- Jaguar
- Whale
- Skunk
- Flapping bird
- Seal
- Ant eater
- Turtle
- Penguin
- Owl
- Mouse
- Bat
- Swan
- Bat
I can recognise some of these easy origami animals from other kits and books by Michael G. LaFosse.
If you are short on space or don’t want to feel confined by having a kit. Then you may have lots of your own paper about this will be a great book for you.
As the title says these are easier creations. Some of them can be completed in just a few folds, while others are more involved as you work your way through to the back of the book, which gives some differentiation in the skills needed. I’m certain there will be something for just about everyone to do. With a little help, probably, I would say kids maybe as young as three or four right on through to adulthood.
To give these creations more character you could use patterned paper or you could use little stickers or googly eyes. You can even create your own stickers using white address labels and then cutting them to the shape and size you desire and using some markers or pencil crayons to add the details. My children have done this, and suggest the following possibilities: eyes, nose, wings, feathers, or maybe make the mouse some cheese.
You can also draw directly on the characters, such as drawing a shell on the back of the turtle. Things like that are always a lot of fun, and can spark more creativity.
I think these easy origami animals would make such a cute little gift to share some happiness around the area. Once you start with origami it can become quite addicting and before you know it, you will have a whole sea life scene or a variety of birds.
If you’re interested in purchasing Fun & Easy Oriami Animals, it’s available through:
- Tuttle Publishing
- Amazon
- Great bookstores near you
If you’d like to know more or would like to follow Tuttle Publishing, you can connect with them through their website, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest (and you can see our other Tuttle reviews here).
