Author: Eric Chen

Date: October 9, 2019

This instruction set will show you how to construct a paper crane. This paper crane can be used as a gift for another person or just for personal enjoyment. It's cool to see how a plain piece of paper can come together to become a crane. This project isn't too difficult once you begin to understand how it works all together with the folds and such. Be safe, take your time, and have fun with it!

Tip: The pictures go in order from left to right so they may be very helpful in your journey. All pictures have a note included which denotes which picture goes with which number in each step.

ALERTS:

Scissors are a sharp implementation and must be handled carefully.
Paper cuts may be common during this construction therefore be careful when handle paper.

Supplies

REQUIRED:

Standard Letter Sized Paper (8.5 x 11) inch. or

A square piece of paper. (Make sure paper is not too small or you may face difficulty during construction.)

OPTIONAL:

Scissors

Step 1: Creating the Square Piece of Paper (w/o Scissors) (Skip This If You Already Have a Square Piece of Paper.)

Set the paper in a portrait orientation.
Take any corner of the paper and fold it diagonally.
Take the “rectangle” side of the paper and fold it over the top of the triangle and crease.
Undo the folds back to its original orientation.
Fold the “rectangle” side of the paper again in the other direction and crease heavily.
Tear apart the “rectangle” piece so a square piece of paper remains.
You may discard the remaining piece of paper.

Once complete, you may skip Step 2.

Step 2: Creating the Square Piece of Paper (w/ Scissors) (Skip This If You Already Have a Square Piece of Paper.)

Complete Step 1: 1 - 5

Use scissors to cut the “rectangle” piece of paper so a square piece of paper remains. Cut along the crease.
You may discard the remaining piece of paper.

Tip: You may refer to the pictures in Step 1 for assistance.

Refer to ALERT Above

Step 3: Preparation of Paper for the Body.

Fold the paper twice horizontally and vertically so that you see four squares.
Fold the paper diagonally twice. Corner to corner so it creates an “X”.
Position the paper in a diamond formation.
Take the left and right corners of the paper and fold it into the bottom corner of the paper.
Take the top corner and fold down so a smaller square remains. The side of the paper that opens should be facing you.

Step 4: Creating the Body of the Crane.

Take the top left and right corners and fold inward and so it aligns with the center crease.
Do that to the other side as well.
Undo all the folds in this step to both sides.
Lift the top piece of paper. Take the left and right corners and fold inward.
Do the same for the other side. The result should be a smaller diamond shape.
Take the top flap and fold up and do the same for the other side.
Flatten the paper.

Step 5: Creating the Tail, Head, Wings, and Legs

The flaps you folded upward should be pointed away from you.
Take the top left and right corners and fold inward so it aligns with the centerline.
Do the same for the other side.
Result should be two thin legs at the bottom.
Take the left leg and fold in an inward and upward manner.
Do the same step above to the other leg.
Take the end of one of the legs, and fold down so it resembles a head.
Take the two large flaps and fold them down so they resemble wings.
At the bottom, push apart the base so the crane can be set evenly on a flat surface.

Step 6: Complete!

You should now be able to lay the crane flat on the table and the crane is done.

Conclusion: At the end of this small project, you should result in a paper construction that resembles a crane. It is optional to add color or any other kind of decoration.

Note: All pictures and instructions belong to the author stated above.