Modular Transforming Origami Ninja Star

Today, you will learn how to make a modular transforming origami ninja star! This is a fun activity that gives you an epic result. It is relatively easy if you carefully follow the steps shown. There is only one type of item you will need: 8 pieces of square paper that are all the same size (best around 75 mm x 75 mm or 150mm x 150mm). WARNING: Do not throw your modular transforming origami ninja star at anyone!

Step 1: Grab One of Your Sheets of Square Paper

Place your paper in front of you so that one side is on the top, one side is on the left, one side is on the right, and one side is on the bottom. (If you are using origami paper, place the white side up.)

Step 2: Make a Diagonal Fold

First, you need to fold the top right corner of your paper to the bottom left corner and make a crease.

Step 3: Unfold the Paper

After you unfold the paper, there should be a diagonal crease in your paper. Make sure to leave the paper in the orientation it was previously in once you unfold it. (Remember to leave the white side up if you have origami paper.)

Step 4: Make Another Diagonal Fold

This time, you need to fold the top left corner to the bottom right corner and make a crease.

Step 5: Unfold the Paper

Just as you did on step 3, you should unfold the paper again. There should be another diagonal crease. Make sure to still leave the orientation alone. (The white side should still be up if origami paper is in use.)

Step 6: Make a Vertical Fold

Take the right half of the paper and fold it evenly on top of the left half of the paper and make a crease.

Step 7: Unfold the Paper

Just as you have done on steps 3 and 5, unfold the paper. There should now be a vertical crease in the center of the sheet. Leave the paper in the orientation it was already in. (Make sure that the white side is still up if you are using origami paper.)

Step 8: Fold the Top Right Corner

Take the top right corner and line it up evenly onto the vertical crease in the center of the piece of paper and make a crease.

Step 9: Fold the Top Left Corner

Just like you did in the previous step, take the top left corner and line it up evenly onto the vertical crease in the center of the piece of paper and make a crease.

Step 10: Make the Same Vertical Fold Again

Just like you did earlier, take the right half of the paper and fold it evenly on top of the left half. There should already be a crease from earlier, so this should be easy to complete.

Step 11: Reposition the Paper

Position the paper so that the side where you folded in the corners is facing the left and the opening of the paper is on the bottom.

Step 12: Push the Top of the Paper Inwards

Pick up your paper and push the top right of the sheet inwards and push down on a surface to make creases. Now, each side should be slanted.

Step 13: Repeat

Repeat steps 1-12 7 more times. You should end up with 8 total pieces that are all identical to one another. (They can be different colors if you want them to.)

Step 14: Position Two of the Pieces

Grab two of the pieces that you made and position them so that the opening is towards the bottom and that the right side has the two legs that split apart from one another.

Step 15: Start Attaching Each Piece to One Another

With each piece in the position from the last step, take the piece on the right and insert the left side of it into the two legs on the left piece. Make sure that the right piece is completely lined up and pushed all the way into the left piece's legs. The right piece should not be sticking out of the top of the left piece. If it is, pull the right piece down some until it isn't anymore.

Step 16: Fold the Two Tips

Notice how your left piece has two sharp tips at the end of its legs. You need to fold/tuck these tips into the right piece's opening at the top. (This should be the pocket where the right piece's legs are.) Make sure you make two creases for each of the tips.

Step 17: Attach Another Piece

Grab one of your remaining pieces and position it like you did for the two pieces in step 14. The previous right piece should now act as your new left piece. Repeat steps 15 and 16.

Step 18: Repeat the Process for All Pieces

All you need to do for the rest of the pieces is position each next piece like you did for steps 14 and 17. Then, you just need to follow steps 15 and 16. Continue doing this until you use all of your pieces. Remember that each old right piece becomes your new left piece. (See step 19 for an explanation for when you attach your 8th piece.)

Step 19: Looping Back Around

On the 8th piece that you connect, the piece acting as your right piece should be the piece you used for your first left piece. This is because the structure loops back on it self to make an octagon shape.

Step 20: You Have Finished Your Origami

After you have finished attaching all of your pieces to one another, you have finished the project as a whole. To transform your modular transforming origami ninja star, you just have to push each of its sides inward. To turn it back, you just have to pull each side outward. Remember to not throw your creation at anyone! Enjoy!