How to Make an Origami Flying Swan

Origami, the art of paper folding, can be a great way to pass the time. Some designs are complex while others can be completed in seconds. Some can even be folded to move. One of the easiest moving origami designs to make is a flying swan.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Square piece of paper

1. Fold your square piece of paper in half vertically. Then unfold it.

2. Fold the paper in half horizontally. Then unfold it.

3. Rotate your paper so that it resembles a diamond. Take the top tip of your paper and fold it down horizontally to the bottom tip, creating a triangle. Then unfold it.

4. 

   Repeat the previous step but fold the diamond into a triangle vertically. You should have four straight lines running through the middle of your square.

5. 

   Take one tip and fold it along the diagonal crease you've made until it forms a small 90 degree triangle.

6. 

   Repeat this process with all the tips of your square. You should have two x-shaped creases along each of the four sides of the square.

7. 

   Bunch the corners of the star shape you've created even tighter.

8. 

   Turn your star over and push in the sides at the top.

9. 

   Fold one of your corners over and press it flat against the paper.

10. 

    Fold the right side of the diamond shape in front of you over to the left.

11. 

    Pull down the folded bit from within the right small triangular fold. This will be your swan's head.

12. 

    Create a beak for your swan by folding down a bit of the head to form a triangle.

13. 

    Repeat the previous three steps to form the swan's tail.

14. 

    Fold down both of the middle triangles at the angle you want to create wings.

15. Hold one of the bottom two corners of the swan and pull on the tail to make the wings flap.

Tips & Warnings

• Make your folds as precise as possible to achieve the best results.