What age is this origami Easy Crane for?

About Age 5+. It is rated “Easy” (level 2 of 5), with 8 steps, and takes about 4 minutes.

What paper do I need?

One sheet of square origami paper (15 cm / 6 in). No scissors or glue are needed.

What is it called in Japanese?

In Japanese it is “かんたんなつる” (簡単な鶴). The word origami (折り紙) itself means “folding paper”: ori = fold, kami = paper.

Can I print the instructions?

Yes. “Print the diagram” puts every step on one page (or a PDF), and the practice sheet has the crease lines printed on the paper. Free for home and classroom use.

★★Easy Birds & BugsOriginal

How to make an origami Easy CraneかんたんなつるEasy Crane

An easy crane that small children can fold. Fold the edges to the center to make it thin, then fold up the neck, head and tail.

★★★Crane (Medium)★★★Flapping Bird (Medium)★★★Standing Crane (Medium)★★★Flying Crane (Medium)★★★Jumbo Newspaper Crane (Medium)★★★Crane Chopstick Rest (Medium)★★★Crane and Turtle (Medium)★★★★Crane with Spread Wings (Challenge)★★★★Dancing Crane (Challenge)★★★★Nesting Crane with Chick (Challenge)★★★★★Linked Cranes "Imoseyama" (Master)★★★★★Ring of Four Linked Cranes (Master)★★★★★Crane Family (Five Linked Cranes) (Master)

8 steps
about 4 min
1 sheet of origami paper
Age 5+

How to fold

たて半分に折って、折りすじをつける
Fold in half from side to side and unfold.
下の2つのふちを、まん中の線に合わせて折る
Fold the two lower edges to the center line.
もう一度、下の2つのふちを、まん中の線に合わせて折る
Fold the two lower edges to the center line again.
左を右へ、半分に折る
Fold in half from left to right.
向きをかえる（細い先を右に）
Turn the paper so the thin point is on the right.
右の細い先を、ななめ上に折り上げる（首）
Fold the thin point on the right up at an angle to make the neck.
先が上につき出るように、しっかり折ります。
首の先を、ななめ下に折る（頭）
Fold the tip of the neck down at an angle to make the head.
左の先を、ななめ上に折り上げる（しっぽ）
Fold the left point up at an angle to make the tail.
できあがり！目をかいたら、つるのできあがり！本物の折り鶴にもチャレンジしてみよう。
Finished! Draw an eye, and your crane is finished! Next, try the real paper crane.

Origami English in this model

❓ FAQ

What age is this origami Easy Crane for?: About Age 5+. It is rated “Easy” (level 2 of 5), with 8 steps, and takes about 4 minutes.
What paper do I need?: One sheet of square origami paper (15 cm / 6 in). No scissors or glue are needed.
What is it called in Japanese?: In Japanese it is “かんたんなつる” (簡単な鶴). The word origami (折り紙) itself means “folding paper”: ori = fold, kami = paper.
Can I print the instructions?: Yes. “Print the diagram” puts every step on one page (or a PDF), and the practice sheet has the crease lines printed on the paper. Free for home and classroom use.