Fidget toys have become a popular way for kids and even adults to manage stress, improve concentration, and just have fun. With the rise of DIY culture, making your own origami fidget toy is not only a creative endeavor but also an engaging craft activity for kids. With simple folding techniques, anyone can create a colorful and playful fidget toy. Here’s a step-by-step guide and a suggestion for an origami video that could help kids create their own origami fidget toy.
Materials Needed:
– Square origami paper (15cm x 15cm is a good size)
– Your hands!
– Optional: Stickers or markers for decoration
Instructions:
1. Start with a square piece of origami paper color side down.
2. Fold the paper in half diagonally to make a triangle.
3. Open it and fold it in half diagonally the other way, so you get cross creases on the paper.
4. Turn the paper so the color side is up, and fold it in half to form a rectangle.
5. Open it again and fold it in half to form the other rectangle.
6. With the creases made, use them as guides to collapse the paper into a smaller square base known as the ‘waterbomb base’.
7. Rotate the square base so that one corner points up and one points down.
8. Fold the top layer of both bottom corners to meet at the top point, creating what looks like a kite shape.
9. Flip it over and do the same on the backside – folding both corners up to meet at the top point.
10. Take one of the flaps at the bottom that you just folded up and fold it down so its top edge aligns with where you see color (showing from between where you just folded). Repeat on all 4 flaps (both on front and back).
11. Gently pry apart one set of these flaps to inflate your fidget toy.
For a fun visual guide that’s kid-friendly, check out “Easy Origami Fidget Toy Tutorial” by Origami Fun on YouTube. This short instructional video breaks down each step with clear visuals appropriate for kids to follow along with.
With your new origami fidget toy in hand, you can play with it by pushing inwards and letting it pop back out – this motion is both satisfying and perfect for keeping little fingers busy! Plus, personalizing your toy with stickers or drawings makes it uniquely yours.
Not only does this activity promote fine motor skills development, but it also encourages following instructions, patience, and creativity amongst kids (and adults!). Grab some paper and start folding – happy crafting!
