What age is this origami Crane and Turtle for?

About Age 7+. It is rated “Medium” (level 3 of 5), with 20 steps, and takes about 25 minutes.

What paper do I need?

2 sheets of origami paper (red for the crane, and a slightly smaller green sheet for the turtle) No scissors or glue are needed.

What is it called in Japanese?

In Japanese it is “つるとかめ” (鶴と亀). 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 Seasons & HolidaysTraditional

How to make an origami Crane and TurtleつるとかめCrane and Turtle

“The crane lives a thousand years, the turtle ten thousand.” Fold these two symbols of long life from two sheets of paper — a lovely gift for Respect for the Aged Day.

★★Easy Crane (Easy)★★★Crane (Medium)★★★Flapping Bird (Medium)★★★Standing Crane (Medium)★★★Flying Crane (Medium)★★★Jumbo Newspaper Crane (Medium)★★★Crane Chopstick Rest (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)

20 steps
about 25 min
2 sheets of origami paper (red for the crane, and a slightly smaller green sheet for the turtle)
Age 7+

How to fold

鶴（赤い紙）：色の面を上にして、三角に折る
Crane (red paper): start with the colored side up and 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（正方基本形）
Squash this side into a square, too. This is the square base.
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、花弁折りする（鶴の基本形）
Crease the lower edges to the center, then 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.
左右の足を、中わり折りで上へ（首としっぽ）
Inside reverse fold the two lower points up to make the neck and 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.
亀（みどりの紙）：4つのかどを、まん中に合わせて折る
Turtle (green paper): fold all four corners to the center.
先に、ななめの折りすじをつけておくと、まん中がわかります。
4つの先を、外へはみ出すように折りかえす（足）
Fold the four points back out so they stick out past the edges. These are the legs.
うらがえす
Turn it over.
鶴もいっしょにうらがえしてだいじょうぶです。
上のかどを、少しうしろへ折る（頭）。下のかども、うしろへ折る（しっぽ）
Fold the top corner behind a little to make the head. Fold the bottom corner behind, too, for the tail.
鶴と亀を、ならべてかざる
Display the crane and the turtle side by side.
できあがり！亀の目とこうらのもようをかいたら、つるとかめのできあがり！「いつまでも元気でね」と書いたカードをそえよう。
Finished! Draw the turtle’s eyes and the pattern on its shell. Your crane and turtle are finished! Add a card that says, “Stay healthy forever!”

Fun fact

日本ではむかしから「鶴は千年、亀は万年」といわれ、どちらも長生きとおめでたいことのしるしです。敬老の日は9月の第3月曜日です。

In Japan, people have long said, “The crane lives a thousand years, the turtle ten thousand.” Both are symbols of long life and good luck. Respect for the Aged Day is the third Monday of September.

Origami English in this model

❓ FAQ

What age is this origami Crane and Turtle for?: About Age 7+. It is rated “Medium” (level 3 of 5), with 20 steps, and takes about 25 minutes.
What paper do I need?: 2 sheets of origami paper (red for the crane, and a slightly smaller green sheet for the turtle) No scissors or glue are needed.
What is it called in Japanese?: In Japanese it is “つるとかめ” (鶴と亀). 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.