| The birthplace of origami is still a mystery. Paper | | | | available. These contain squares of paper, often |
| was developed in China in the first century A.D., | | | | colored on one side only. This helps to enhance |
| and Buddhist monks brought it to Japan by the | | | | the three dimensional effect of the item being |
| sixth century A.D. However there are not many | | | | folded. The paper is also very thin, allowing it to |
| written records from that time, so it is not | | | | be folded many times. Origami items can also be |
| known whether origami first began in China or | | | | made from scrap paper, such as standard printer |
| Japan. However, no one will argue that Japan | | | | paper. This is often best for paper airplanes, due |
| developed origami to a high art form. The word | | | | to its weight and size: larger airplanes (of a given |
| origami is Japanese: oru means "to fold", and kami | | | | design) generally fly better. True origami is made |
| means "paper".Many grownups remember making | | | | from one piece of paper without using scissors, |
| origami items as a child. It was often a case of | | | | glue or decorative items such as markers. |
| watching as another youngster showed how to | | | | However, remember that the goal is to have fun, |
| make a paper airplane or something similar. After | | | | so use what you like.The effect of origami as kids |
| a while, we develop a set of origami instructions in | | | | is to teach us creativity, patience and following a |
| our head, for making several airplanes, boats, | | | | process. As grownups, paper folding is a great |
| animals, water balloons and other toys.As it turns | | | | stress reliever and an effective way to bond |
| out, there are only so many ways to fold paper. | | | | further with our kids. Whether you'd like to make |
| Developing a "language" of folding helps simplify | | | | a simple paper boat or fold an elephant out of a |
| passing on origami teachings. Terms like "mountain | | | | dollar bill, origami is a fun, simple and inexpensive |
| fold" and "valley fold" are used over and over | | | | hobby. So get a piece of paper and start folding!If |
| again. Basic fold patterns such as "square base" | | | | you'd like to know more about origami, including |
| and "bird base" can be used as starting points for | | | | how to fold specific items, visit our site at article |
| many different origami pieces. From the basic | | | | may be reprinted if proper credit is given and all |
| building blocks, an effectively infinite number of | | | | links left intact. |
| origami items can be made.Special origami kits are | | | | |