You can make a cute and supple frog using nothing more than a sheet of paper and some folding skills. The frog will literally jump when you press it on the back! To make a jumping frog origami, follow these steps.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Preparing the Paper
Step 1. Select a sheet of paper to use
You can use plain computer paper, colored paper, or origami paper. If you're using rectangular paper, you'll need to have some cutting skills so you can cut it into a square. Place it flat on the table in front of you.
Origami paper is available at stationery and art supply stores
Step 2. Fold the top corner towards the center of the paper
First, fold the top right corner diagonally, so that the edge of the corner is parallel to the opposite side of the paper. Press the crease with your finger to make a stroke, then turn it over again. Do the same with the top left corner, folding it diagonally so that the edge is parallel to the right edge of the paper. Press the crease to make a second stroke, then turn it over again. Now you have made an "X" stroke.
Step 3. Cut the paper into a square if you are using rectangular paper
Fold the bottom side of the paper up to form a horizontal crease from one end of the bottom "X" crease to the other. Cut the paper beyond this crease with scissors, or tear it gently. After that, you'll get a square of paper with an "X" crease in the middle.
- You don't need to do this step if you're already using square paper.
- If you need help locating the horizontal crease, fold the top left or top right side of the paper as in the previous step to form a triangle. Cut the remaining paper on the bottom side of the triangular fold.
Method 2 of 4: Folding the Frog's Front Legs
Step 1. Fold the paper in half
Place the paper on the table so the bottom is facing you. Fold the top of the paper horizontally so that the top two corners meet the bottom corners. Press the crease with your finger and then open it again. The folds you just made should cross in an X, creating an asterisk-shaped pattern.
Step 2. Fold both sides of the paper to form a triangle
Place the paper on the table so the bottom side is facing you. Press the horizontal crease at the top of the paper toward the center. By pushing this fold into the paper, the shape will turn into a triangle.
To make it easier for you to fold the paper in the middle, repeat the fold you made in the previous step, but in the opposite direction
Step 3. Fold one corner of the triangle up
Place the triangle on the table so that the long side is facing you. The long side of the triangle is divided into four ends with two ends on each side. Take the corner of the top layer on the right side and fold it over. The ends of the corners should touch the ends of the triangles. Press the crease with your finger.
Step 4. Fold the corners of the opposite triangle up
Take the corner of the top layer on the left side of the triangle. Fold it so that the corners touch the ends of the triangle. Make creases with your finger. Now this paper should look like a triangle with a diamond shape in the middle.
Step 5. Fold the right corner of the diamond inward
With the base of the triangle facing you, take the right corner of the diamond. Fold it so that the right side of the diamond is in line with the center line. Make creases with your finger.
Step 6. Fold the left corner of the diamond inward
With the base of the triangle facing you, take the left corner of the diamond, and fold it in so that the left side line lines up with the center line. Press the crease with your finger.
Step 7. Make the front legs of the frog
Hold the paper so that the base of the triangle is facing you. The tip of the triangle under the diamond layer, divided into two sides. Fold the right side outward, to the right side of the triangle, so that the edge is in line with the right edge of the diamond, then outline. Fold the left side outward, towards the left side of the triangle, so that the edge is in line with the left edge of the diamond, then press.
Method 3 of 4: Making the Frog's Back Legs
Step 1. Turn the paper over
Place it on the table so that the bottom of the triangle is facing you. Frogs have started to form! The forelegs are in the correct position. Now it's time to fix the top shape.
Step 2. Fold the bottom corner of the paper inward
Take the lower right corner and fold it inward, so that the ends of the triangle become the center line, then outline. Now fold the lower left corner in the same way, so that the ends of the triangle run in the middle, then press. Now you have created an oval diamond shape.
Step 3. Fold the inner side of the paper out
Fold the right side of the diamond outward, so that the inner edge is in line with the outer edge, pressing the crease. Fold the left side of the diamond outward in the same way, so that the inner edge is in line with the outer edge, then press the folds of this new triangle to become the frog's hind legs.
Method 4 of 4: Refining the Frog
Step 1. Fold the frog in half
Position the frog so its long hind legs are facing you, and fold it in half near where the body is smallest. Then press the fold.
Step 2. Fold the frog's hind legs in half
Keep the frog folded in half, with the hind legs facing you, and turn. Fold the legs up so that the horizontal part of the paper that runs between the legs is in line with the bottom of the frog. Then press the fold.
Step 3. Make the frog jump
Set the frog on its hind legs. Press and release on the center of the fold to make it jump. Have fun! This frog should be able to jump well.
If the frog hasn't been able to jump properly, double-check your folds to make sure everything is correct. You can also try using thicker paper, which is generally easier to "lift"
Tips
- The smaller the frog, the farther the jump.
- Fold the corners well. Your frog will "jump" better.
- Try it with lined paper the first time you do it (to make the folds more regular), then use a different paper to copy what you've made!
- Great for kids events/stay together!
- If you want to develop your origami skills, there is another technique you can use to fold a jumping frog.
