What age is this origami Jumbo Newspaper Crane for?

About Age 7+. It is rated “Medium” (level 3 of 5), with 17 steps, and takes about 20 minutes.

What paper do I need?

a square cut from one double page of newspaper (about 40 cm / 16 in on each side) No scissors or glue are needed.

What is it called in Japanese?

In Japanese it is “しんぶんしのジャンボつる”. 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.

★★★Medium Birds & BugsTraditional

How to make a Jumbo Newspaper CraneしんぶんしのジャンボつるJumbo Newspaper Crane

A jumbo paper crane folded from a 40 cm square cut from a double page of newspaper. With its wings open it is about 40 cm wide, a real eye-catcher.

★★Easy Crane (Easy)★★★Crane (Medium)★★★Flapping Bird (Medium)★★★Standing Crane (Medium)★★★Flying 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)

17 steps
about 20 min
a square cut from one double page of newspaper (about 40 cm / 16 in on each side)
Age 7+

How to fold

三角に折る
Fold in half to make a triangle.
さらに半分の三角に折る
Fold in half again.
袋を開いて、四角につぶす
Open the pocket and squash it into a square.
うらがえす
Turn it over.
こちらも袋を開いて、四角につぶす
Squash this side into a square, too.
下のふちを、まん中の線に合わせて折りすじをつける
Fold the lower edges to the center line and unfold.
上の三角を折って、折りすじをつける
Fold the top down and unfold.
1まいめを下から持ち上げて、ふちを折りすじで内側へ（花弁折り）
Lift the bottom corner of the top layer and fold the sides in along the creases (petal fold).
うらがえす
Turn it over.
こちらも、下のふちをまん中に合わせて折りすじをつける
Fold the lower edges to the center line and unfold.
こちらも花弁折り（鶴の基本形）
Petal fold this side, too. This is the bird base.
下のふちを、まん中の線に合わせて折る
Fold the lower edges to the center line.
うらがえす
Turn it over.
こちらも同じように折る
Do the same on this side.
左の足を、中わり折りで上へ（首になる）
Inside reverse fold the left point up to make the neck.
右の足も、中わり折りで上へ（しっぽになる）
Inside reverse fold the right point up to make the tail.
首の先を中わり折りして、頭をつくる
Inside reverse fold the tip of the neck to make the head.
できあがり！羽を左右にそっと広げたら、ジャンボつるのできあがり！紙が大きいので、折り目は手のひらでしっかりおさえましょう。
Finished! Gently spread the wings, and your jumbo crane is finished! The paper is big, so press each crease firmly with your palm.

How to play

糸をつけて天井からつるしたり、げんかんにかざったりしよう。ふつうの折り紙で折った小さい鶴とならべると、親子の鶴のようです。

Hang it from the ceiling with a thread, or display it by the door. Put it next to small cranes made from origami paper, like a parent with its babies.

Fun fact

大きな紙で折るときは、はじめの三角や四角をきちんと合わせることが大切です。少しのずれが、大きく目立つからです。

When you fold big paper, line up the first triangles and squares carefully. A small gap at the start becomes a big one at the end.

Origami English in this model

❓ FAQ

What age is this origami Jumbo Newspaper Crane for?: About Age 7+. It is rated “Medium” (level 3 of 5), with 17 steps, and takes about 20 minutes.
What paper do I need?: a square cut from one double page of newspaper (about 40 cm / 16 in on each side) No scissors or glue are needed.
What is it called in Japanese?: In Japanese it is “しんぶんしのジャンボつる”. 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.