DLTK's Crafts for Kids
Origami Petals (Eight Point Stars)

The petal is a very simple example of proper origami (just paper folding with no cutting or gluing), but I admit I've cheated a bit in putting the petals together into a star.

This is one of the simplest examples of an origami project you can make -- which makes it a perfect introduction to the artform for early grade school children!  My thirteen year old still loves making them as they turn out very pretty.

If you have trouble with the instructions, try reading through the basic origami instructions section.

Materials:

• square of paper - click here for instructions to make a rectangle of paper (typical 8.5x11 sheet) into a square.
• Scotch tape or glue.
• NOTE:  origami paper typically comes with each side a different color -- this is perfect for this project!!  You can find double sided origami paper at your local craft store -- it is inexpensive.

Instructions:

• Valley fold paper from edge to edge , making a rectangle.  Crease well and then unfold.
• Valley fold the triangle from the other edge to edge, crease and unfold.  You'll now have a square with a creased plus sign splitting it into 4 quarters.
• Valley fold paper from corner to corner , making a triangle.  Crease well and then unfold.
• and you end up with a square of paper with creases like this.
• Rotate your paper so one of the creased points is facing you.
• Valley fold the left hand point to the center of the paper (where the creases cross).
• Crease well!
• Valley fold the right hand point to the center of the paper (where the creases cross).
• Crease well!
• Valley fold bottom left side point to touch the center crease
• Crease well!
• Valley fold bottom right side point to touch the center crease
• Crease well!
• And you have a petal!  You can see that if you're using double sided paper, you get a cute pattern with the two colours.
• Make 7 more petals.
• Flip all of your petals over so that you're looking at the back of them
• Use scotch tape or glue to attach the petals together to make an 8 point star.
• Slip the last petal under the first when assembling.  This sentence will make more sense when your project is sitting face up in front of you.
• I like to use two different colors of origami paper and alternate the petals to make an even fancier star.

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