Learning to fold and manipulate a flat sheet of paper into a three dimensional shape is a fantastic way to develop your child's fine motor skills, cognitive thinking and self-esteem. Try this origami piano for starters.
What you need:
- 1 x square of origami paper
Number of players:
Fold the paper in half. Open it out again.
Then fold it in half the other way.
Keep it folded in half and, using your original fold line as a guide for where the middle is, fold up one edge to the middle then the other.
You should now have two folded flaps that meet in the middle.
Open out the right hand folded flap and squash-fold a triangle into the top of the flap (see video).
Do the same on the other side. Take the flap in the middle and fold it up.
Fold each side flap in to the centre. Pull the initial folded flap downwards – it should form a seat shape. Stand it up. You have made an origami piano!
Still not sure? Just watch the video above.
- If you make the piano out of a black sheet of paper, it looks even better!
- You can also make a little mini-keyboard on a separate piece of paper and stick it on to the piano to make it look more authentic.
- Thanks to our sister company Kidspot Australia for creating the instructional video.