How to Make Origami Poppers

Origami poppers are noisemakers made from an ordinary sheet of paper. Paper without holes, such as printer paper, works better than three-hole punched notebook paper. Or, use larger paper, such as a sheet of newspaper. To get the origami popper to work, crease all the folds firmly and accurately. To get paper to make a popping noise, fold a triangular origami popper, or make a simple rectangular paper popper.

Things You'll Need

• Rectangular sheet of paper

Instructions

Triangular Origami Popper

1. Place the sheet of paper on your work surface with the long edge facing you. Fold the top edge of the paper down to meet the bottom. Crease the paper, then unfold it.

2. Fold each corner of the paper inward, to meet the crease line in the middle.

3. Fold the paper in half from side to side, lining up the pointed ends.

4. Fold the paper in half from top to bottom.

5. Insert your index finger between the top two layers of paper only. Bring the top flap of paper straight up, then flatten it, forming a diamond shape with one flat edge.

6. Fold the paper in half from top to bottom.

7. Grasp the corner of the long edge of the triangle that’s nearest the flat edges of the diamonds inside.

8. Hold up the origami paper, then bring it down using a very quick, jerky motion. The flaps of the popper will catch the air and open, making a popping noise.

Rectangular Paper Popper

1. Place a sheet of paper on your work surface with the short end toward you.

2. Fold the paper in half from top to bottom.

3. Fold the paper in half from side to side.

4. Grasp the lower corners of the two flaps inside the layers of paper and pull them up a little bit. With your other hand, grasp the lower two corners of the outer layers of paper. You should be able to hold them without holding the inner flaps. Let go of the inner flaps.

5. Raise the hand that’s holding the outer corners and bring the paper down using a very quick, jerky motion. The flaps of the paper will catch the air and open, making a popping noise.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't pinch the flaps closed when you work the origami popper.

• To snap the origami popper again, tuck in the flaps.