How to Fold a Paper Crane- Easy Instructions

Step by Step Instructions for How to Fold a Paper Crane

Supplies

Paper, Scissors (optional)

Step 1: Square Sheet of Paper

If you do not already have a square sheet of paper you can take any size piece of paper and make your own.

First, fold down one edge of the paper and line it up with it's perpendicular edge as shown in the image. Cut along the dotted line to get rid of excess paper and you will be left with a square sheet. Discard extra piece as it will not be used for the rest of this project.

Step 2: Folding Guide Lines

Fold the paper in half corner to corner both ways, as shown in the images, so that you will be left with an "X" shape in the paper.

Step 3: Folding Guide Lines Continued..

Fold the paper in half edge to edge, as shown in the images, so you will be left with a "+" shape.

Step 4: Bringing Corners Together

Fold all the orange lines towards the center as shown in the images. You will be left with a smaller square. Leave the open end of the square down towards the bottom facing you as oriented by the circled "1" in the image.

Step 5: Folding the Kite Shape

Fold the purple edge of the paper inline with the purple center as indicated in the first image. Do the same with the other side. Flip over the paper and repeat the last two steps on that side. You will be left with a kite shape as shown in the last image.

Step 6: Folding Guide Lines

Fold the top triangle down along orange line to create a crease as shown in the image.

Step 7: Open and Flatten Into Diamond

Open the paper, keeping the top part of the triangle flat by folding along the crease we made in the previous step. The blue lines will act as our folding guides as we bring the green edges in towards the center of the paper, as shown in the second image. Flip the paper over and repeat this step on the other side.

Step 8: Folding the Paper Open

Fold sides depicted by blue lines together on both side. There will one end that is not attached down the center and one that is as depicted in the last image.

Step 9: Folding the Head and Tail

Take one of the top pieces and fold it down so that lines up with the bottom edge. You will need to open middle section to fold it down and in as shown in the second image and then press it down flat once it is in line. Repeat on the other side and it will look like the last image.

Step 10: Folding the Wings

Fold along the green line to form the wing and repeat on the other side.

Step 11: Forming the Head

Take the side that comes to the cleanest point to make the head. Open the fold and push the tip down to form a head shape then pinch the paper to crease the head.

Step 12: Curling the Wings

This step is optional, but you can curl the wings towards the head by rolling the paper between two fingers to give it more shape. With that, congratulations! You have successfully completed a paper crane!