How to Make an Origami Swan That Flaps Its Wings

The origami flapping swan is more than just another origami animal. The swan can flap its wings creating a entertaining toy for a child.The flapping swan is similar to the crane in that it starts with the bird base. Use a medium weight, sturdy paper for this project. Make several of them in different colors and you will have a flock of flapping swans to play with.

Things You'll Need

• Square of origami or copy paper; any size

Instructions

Origami Bird Base

1. Make a diagonal crease by bringing one corner to touch the opposite corner, then unfold. Make a diagonal crease by bringing the other two corners together. Crease well then unfold. Turn the paper over.

2. Fold the paper horizontally then unfold. Fold the paper vertically then unfold.

3. Pick the paper up and push in the side folds to bring the corners together. This is called a square base.

4. Lay the paper on a table with the diagonal folds running horizontally and vertical with one corner pointing towards you. Fold the top layer of the bottom right hand corner to the middle so that the right edge lines up with the middle crease. Repeat for the left side.

5. Fold both layers of the top triangle down. Unfold the last three folds.

6. Grasp the top layer of the bottom point and bring it up. This brings up an open triangle. Push down the flaps to close the triangle. Turn the paper over. Bring the lower right hand edge to the right fold. Repeat for the left side. Unfold.

Flapping Swan

1. Lay the paper on the table with the long crease in the middle running vertically. Fold the bottom right triangle under so that it is sticking out from the top at a right angle. Repeat for the left side then unfold both sides.

2. Fold the last step again but make the folds reverse folds. Those are the head and tail of the swan.

3. Reverse fold the left flap of the head. The folds that are sticking up in the air are the wings.

References

• Kidz Bop: Origami Flapping Swan