In this project, you'll see how to transform a square of paper with a few folds into a bird that can be used on a gift package in place of a bow. The flying bird has fewer folds than most origami birds, including the classic origami crane. This makes it an ideal origami craft project for beginning folders and children.
The birds can also be used to decorate a party table or dress up a flower arrangement. Make one bird or a whole flock of birds!
Related craft: See the Floral Wire Mobile craft project to see how to make a mobile with your origami flying birds!
Related craft: For another simple origami model, see the Jumping Origami Bunny craft project!
Commercial 4" (10 cm) origami squares in bright colors are ideal for folding the flying birds; however, other lightweight paper works well, too. Simply cut 4" squares from any colorful paper you have on hand; just be sure it's no heavier than computer paper. It's important that the paper is cut in precise squares, but they can vary from 4".
Tip: You can create your own colorful paper by printing Aunt Annie's digital papers on one or both sides of white computer paper. The Animal Scales digital papers work particularly well.
Carefully follow the folding instructions, using the illustration as a reference. The dashed lines indicate folds, while the red lines show creases already made. The red arrows are the direction of the folds, and the black curly arrow means to turn the folded paper over.
Tip: Add eyes to the bird with a black marker.
That's it! Make a whole flock of origami flying birds!
Tip: Use printed computer paper cut into squares to make origami flying birds. The birds above are made with Animal Scales digital papers printed on one side and Cool Tone Polka Dots digital papers on the other side.
Tip: Pick which side of two-sided paper goes on top of the bird by folding that side inside the folds—like the yellow side in the illustration.
Tip: Make a mobile with your origami flying birds. See how in the Floral Wire Mobile craft project.
