How To Make An Origami Hummingbird
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Image © kryazhevaalena, under a Creative Commons license.
Origami, the art of paper folding, originated in Japan during the 17th century.
Since then, origami has thrilled adults and children alike. Origami folding shows the endless possibilities that can come from a sheet of paper and a few creases.
The most popular origami creations are the origami 'fortune teller' (otherwise known as the origami 'chatterbox') and the origami crane. Not to mention the paper fan, the easiest origami creation to make!
Origami birds are also incredibly popular and are a true testament to the possibilities of origami folding; several species of bird origami can be made, such as the dove (the origami 'bird of peace') and the origami hummingbird (instructions for which are below).
Easy Origami Hummingbird Instructions
Here's an easy origami hummingbird tutorial to help kids sharpen their origami folding skills.
You Will Need:
A square sheet of origami paper, white on one side and any colour on the other side (20cm x 20cm).
A small pen.
Easy Origami Hummingbird Instructions:
1) White side up, rotate the origami paper square to look like a diamond, then fold the square in half twice (left corner to right corner, then top corner to bottom corner) before unfolding.
2) Rotate the origami paper to a square again, then fold in half horizontally and vertically.
3) Fold the middle right edge down to the bottom vertical edge and do the same with the middle left crease, so that the origami paper folds inwards and the paper above folds over it. You'll see the origami paper folding into a small diamond.
4) Lift the right corner flap (top layer only) and fold it into the central vertical crease, so that the bottom right edge that folds with it rests on the centre crease.
5) Repeat with the left corner flap on the top layer of the origami hummingbird.
6) Turn over and repeat with the remaining left and right flaps, turning the origami paper into the shape of a kite.
7) Take the top corner of the kite and fold it down down the middle. The crease formed should create a horizontal edge that joins the left and right corners of the origami hummingbird.
8) Lift the bottom corner flap (top layer only) up and over the top of the origami paper to open it out slightly.
9) Flatten the horizontal crease made in step seven, keeping the corner flap above it, then press the left and right flaps around the opening down to flatten it, turning the origami into a long closed diamond.
10) Turn over and repeat on the other side. The long origami diamond will form the body and wings of the origami hummingbird.
11) Turn over again and, lifting the top corner flap, fold it down to the bottom corner, revealing a small triangular flap and a larger flap behind it.
12) With just one of the large flaps down, fold the origami paper in half inwards by folding the left corner over to meet the right corner.
13) You should now have a long thin origami paper triangle, with the long folded edge on the left. Take the top corner and fold it downwards and into the triangle (an inside fold) so that the corner is now sticking out as a beak made of two flaps.
14) Take the left flap forming the beak and fold it down so that it rests on the body of the origami hummingbird.
15) Take the remaining right flap of the beak and fold it in half, so that its outer edge is on the middle crease of the flap.
16) Take the bottom edge of the beak and fold it upwards to the middle crease also, joining the other folded edge.
17) Fold the bottom flap of the beak up to meet the top edge, folding the beak in half. If necessary, use a small pen to adjust the inner folds so that the flaps come together without bumps on the inside.
18) For the wings, lift the bottom flap (top layer) and fold it up so that the diagonal edge is horizontal, resting on the middle crease of the origami hummingbird.
19) Turn over and repeat with the bottom flap on the other side. Your easy origami hummingbird is complete!
Top Tips For Your Easy Origami Hummingbird
Don't forget to decorate your origami hummingbird! Grab some markers and give the origami hummingbird some feathers and details.
Make sure the edges of the origami paper are aligned well before creasing, making the hummingbird nice and tidy.
Crease well after each fold of the origami hummingbird, so that the crease lines form a sharp, neat line.
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Bachelor of Fine Arts specializing in Fine and Studio Arts
Temitope AdebowaleBachelor of Fine Arts specializing in Fine and Studio Arts
A Fine Art student from the Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London, Temitope has a passion for learning and expressing herself creatively. She finds great reward in tutoring children from primary school up to sixth form. When she's not teaching or writing, you can find Temitope painting, editing photos, baking, or building LEGO with her nephew.
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