How to Make a Ninja Star From Two Dollar Bills

Fold a four-point ninja star from dollar bills.

Although origami is normally folded using the traditional sheets of square paper, you can fold several models using different materials, such as dollar bills. You can make a simple, well-balanced origami ninja star with four points from two dollar bills. The finished star will fly quite well if thrown quickly, and since creating it does not damage the dollar bills in any way, you can always unfold it if you need the money later.

Things You'll Need

• Two one-dollar bills

Instructions

1. Place the two dollar bills with the long edges towards you.

2. Fold both bills horizontally, bringing the top edge to meet the "One dollar" frame, forming two narrow rectangles.

3. Fold both rectangles in half vertically along the longer edges. Crease sharply and unfold.

4. Fold the left half of the first rectangle down diagonally so the top edge meets the crease in the center. Fold the right half up diagonally so the bottom edge meets the crease in the center.

5. Fold the left half of the second rectangle up diagonally so the bottom edge meets the crease in the center. Fold the right half down diagonally so the top edge meets the crease in the center. You should now have two mirror-image shapes vaguely resembling the letters "S" and "Z."

6. Turn both shapes over. The shapes should resemble two squares each, connected by a parallelogram. Rotate the shapes so the long edges of the parallelogram are horizontal and facing towards you.

7. Fold the outside corners of each square vertically towards the inside of the shape.

8. Flip over one of the pieces and place it on top of the other, forming a cross shape.

9. Take one of the points of the bottom piece and fold it in to form a triangle. Tuck this point inside the flap in the top piece. Repeat the process with the other point.

10. Flip the partially-assembled star over and repeat the process to finish the star.

Tips & Warnings

• You can also make the same star using a square of origami paper. Cut the square in half, then fold the two resulting rectangles in half to form narrower ones and continue from Step 2.

References

• Fold Something: 4 Point Star / Ninja Star