Maker Monday: Kids can make easy, adorable origami frogs

A note to kid makers: Please work with a parent or caregiver on every project, including this one. And though this project doesn’t involve tools, always be very careful when using tools of any kind.

Maker Monday materials you’ll need:

• A square sheet of paper (thin origami paper works best – you can find it online for just a few dollars)
• Two small beads
• Glue 

Instructions:

We’re sharing written steps here, but origami is much easier to do when you see the steps. The video (included below) will show you all the steps to create your jumping frog.

So watch the video once or twice. Then go back to the beginning and follow along with the it as you go through the steps below to fold your paper. You can rewatch any parts you’d like to see again.

• Once you’ve watched the video, take your sheet of paper (if it’s colored origami paper, place the colored side down) and fold it in half.
• Then take the top corners of the open side and fold them in, aligning the top edge with the first fold, creasing the paper. Then let that side open and fold the opposite side in, creasing the paper again (see video). When you let the paper open, you should see creases that form an “x.”
• Next, do the same steps with the two bottom corners of your paper, creating another set of creases that form an “x.”
• The next few folding steps are clearly shown in the video. Follow along as you fold, and feel free to rewind and pause or re-watch any steps you’d like to see more than once.
• When you’ve finished all the folding steps and the body of your frog is done, it’s time to give your frog eyes. Add two dots of glue where the frog’s eyes belong and attach the beads. Once they dry, your frog is ready to jump!

Want more at-home fun making beautiful things and learning along the way? Check out more Maker Monday projects. 

And check out the Parks Conservancy’s spring guide, offering a range of fun activities for families at parks in our area. The Parks Conservancy also offers a Lending Library of family-friendly exploration backpacks (learn more here) and check out their summer camp details in our big summer camp guide.