Origami, the ancient Japanese art of paper folding, has captured the hearts of people around the world. The intricate yet meditative craft of transforming a simple sheet of paper into beautiful creations has inspired enthusiasts for centuries. Origami holds a special place in my crafting heart; when I was a teacher, I would turn old late slips and hall passes into origami cranes that would then decorate my classroom.

To celebrate this art form, November 11th is observed as World Origami Day. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the significance of World Origami Day and provide step-by-step instructions for five beginner-friendly origami projects that will help you get started on your own origami journey.

The Significance of World Origami Day:

World Origami Day is a day dedicated to the art of paper folding and its power to inspire creativity, patience, and mindfulness. It’s celebrated on November 11th, commemorating the birthday of Lillian Oppenheimer, co-founder of Origami USA, and the day when the first known origami book was published in Japan in 1797. The goal of this day is to encourage people to explore the art of origami and share the joy of folding with others. It’s a perfect occasion to start your origami journey and learn some basic folds.

How to Get Started:

1. Gather your supplies: All you need is some origami paper or regular paper cut into a square, a flat surface to fold on, and patience.
2. Follow tutorials: There are numerous online resources and video tutorials that guide you through the folds and creases for each origami creation. Below I link to instructions from Origami Fun, which is my favorite origami site. The ones below are my favorite designs, and are perfect origami for beginners.
3. Practice, practice, practice: Origami is an art form that gets better with practice. Don’t be discouraged if your first attempts don’t look perfect.
4. Share your creations: Origami is meant to be shared, so proudly display your creations or give them to friends and family as thoughtful gifts.

My five favorite pieces of origami for beginners? Well, there’s…

1. Origami Crane:
   • Start with a square piece of paper.
   • Follow step-by-step instructions to fold your paper into the iconic origami crane, a symbol of peace and good luck.
2. Origami Butterfly:
   • Begin with a square piece of paper.
   • Create a beautiful butterfly with simple folds, perfect for decorations or as a standalone piece.
3. Origami Box:
   • Use a square piece of paper for this functional fold following these instructions.
   • Learn to create a handy origami box that can hold small items, making it both practical and decorative.
4. Origami Heart:
   • Start with a square piece of paper.
   • Craft an origami heart that’s perfect for expressing your love or as a heartfelt decoration.
5. Origami Boat:
   • Begin with a rectangular piece of paper.
   • Make an origami boat that can float on water, making it a fun and easy project for all ages.

World Origami Day is a perfect time to embrace the beauty and creativity of origami. By starting with these five easy designs that are perfect origami for beginners and gradually progressing to more complex designs, you’ll unlock the meditative and artistic world of paper folding, providing a unique and satisfying creative outlet for beginners and experienced enthusiasts alike. Happy folding!

Kayla Lee is a Minnesota-based wedding and elopement photographer. She provides services to elegant, authentic, sentimental couples who not only choose their own adventures, but also live them to the fullest! See more about the KLP Wedding Experience!

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