Not So Lazy Days: Folding frogs

Being another sick day (this time for me), we kept the activity for today simple and indoors. I taught the boys how to make origami frogs.

When I was little, I used to make these frogs as if they were cranes. (It is said folding 1000 cranes makes a person's wish come true.)

To make this project, all you need is square-shaped paper (I took an 8x11, folded diagonally so the top side was even with the left side, then cut off the excess).

First, you must fold in half all ways (even diagonally).

Then, fold the top down to the half-fold. To shape the head, fold in the top corners to the vertical half-way line. The paper should now look like a fat arrow.

Next, fold both sides into the vertical half-way line twice. Now the paper should look like a thin arrow.

To make the legs. turn the paper over, then the bottom up about 1/2 an inch. Turn the paper back over, and fold the bottom up again the same width. Depending on how large you'd like your frog to be, you can repeat these two folds or leave as is.

Turn the project over and it is complete. The boys especially liked that the legs are springboards which make the frogs jump when you push the tip of you finger on them. The oldest one has decided his frog will now be a part of his Harry Potter Lego set.

I've challenged myself to find a new activity to do five days a week every week of the kids' summer vacation. Activities will fall under one of three categories: Arts & Crafts, Sports & Games or Field Trips. Follow me on Twitter @readallaboutsam for immediate updates on posts!