Japanese Folding Paper Puzzle

This is an instructable on how to make a Japanese Folding Paper Puzzle. These are very fun puzzles with both easy and hard solutions. The goal of the puzzle is to try and get all four designs in a square. Enjoy!

Step 1: What You'll Need

A piece of construction paper.
Scissors
Glue or tape
6 different kinds of Wrapping paper or just some paper that has designs
Tape measure

Step 2: Cutting the Paper

Cut a 7 by 7 inch square out of the construction paper. Next fold the square in half and cut out the middle 4 by 4 inch square.

Step 3: Folding

You will be making 12 2 by 2 inch squares on each side. Fold the paper so that each 2 by 2 square ( you are now making the squares ) has 2 creases  and each crease is folded both forward and back.

Step 4:

Choose one design of paper and cut four small squares ( they should be a little smaller that the folded squares on the paper ) then glue them on where is it shown on the picture. Next get another design and glue on where it is shown on the next picture.

Do the same thing with the next designs. Note that some may be on the other side of the paper.

Step 5: How to Play

Try to get all four of the same squares in a bigger 2 by 2 square. Do this with all of the colors ( some are easy some are hard! ).

Comments

[framakers]

Really nice instructable. I just made one, it's simple to make, and results in multiple small puzzles to solve :-).
Thanks dogsrule0909 !

[stechi]

Looks fun. Are there some arrangements where it is actually impossible to bring the four similar squares together?

[framakers]

Yes. For example, if you glue two squares on the exact opposite sides of the paper, they can never end up next to each other.

[dogsrule0909]

Thanks! As long as they are they same pattern, it will be possible to solve. By arrangements do you mean where you glue it on the paper? If you do, that is the only arrangement I know.

[iburrow]

Am I correct in thinking that when you turn the card over you flip it from bottom to top? _not as clear as I'd envisaged it would be ..your photos are great, just need to follow the direction you flipped the card/puzzle over to complete sticking on the patterns.

[dogsrule0909]

Actually, I didn't flip it over, when you click on a picture then mouse over a square it will tell you what pattern is behind it. Then you can flip the paper over in any direction and turn if needed to make it match the squares you have already glued on to the ones shown in this picture and continue. Hope that helps!

[iburrow]

thank you, I'll give that a shot. It wasn't showing up on my phone, so I'll have a look on the computer. thanks for the tip!

[roidroid]

Thanks for a nice idea.

Will use it as a game for the book fair this year. Noticed (as you mentioned) that it is possible to create easy and hard puzzle requirements, thus the prizes can also be small and larger.

Keep up with good ideas

Lauras

[iburrow]

geat ible, thanks