Maker Monday: Let’s make origami frogs

Happy Monday, Kidsburghers! Welcome to another step-by-step Maker Monday project. This project comes courtesy of our creative friends at The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy. We’re glad to be kicking off another week by bringing you a free maker activity that your kids can do with items you likely have around the house.

This week’s project will teach your kids to make a jumping frog from paper. Along the way, kid makers will also learn a bit about the frogs your family can find in Pittsburgh parks. 

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 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 video as you 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 videos from Kidsburgh and our creative partners throughout the Pittsburgh region. 

And check out the Parks Conservancy’s seasonal guides, offering a range of fun activities for families at parks in our area. (Their new winter guide is due out soon!) The Parks Conservancy also offers a Lending Library of family-friendly exploration backpacks. Learn more here.