DIY – Origami

Origami is an art form originating in Japan where paper is folded into various forms without tearing it. Using origami folding methods along with common household items, paper can be interlocked to create a working fidget spinner toy.

What origami is

Origami has been practiced in Japan since the seventeenth century as a craft of transforming flat paper into different forms without tearing it. The traditional craft can produce up to forty unimaginable designs. It uses careful folds along creases to give flat sheets three-dimensional structure and strength.

Materials needed

• Two sheets of colored paper to fold the interlocking body of the spinner.
• Scissors to cut the paper into square shapes and trim cardboard circles.
• Cardboard and a coin used to trace two round pieces.
• A toothpick to act as the center axle for the toy.
• Glue to stick the cardboard pieces firmly in place.

Folding the paper base

A colored paper is first folded from one corner to remove the excess edges with scissors, leaving a square shape. This square is folded in half repeatedly along the center crease to create a narrow strip. On this paper strip, fold a small triangle upwards on one side and fold another triangle downwards on the opposite side. After repeating these folds on a second paper, place both folded designs on top of each other with their flat sides aligned. Fold the triangular flaps over and push them inside the flaps of the opposite piece until both papers are fully interlocked.

Assembling the spinner

After interlocking the papers, punch a hole directly through the center of the folded paper base. Trace two round shapes onto a piece of cardboard using a coin and cut out the circles with scissors. Push a toothpick through the first cardboard circle, then guide it through the hole in the paper spinner. To complete the assembly, stick the second cardboard circle onto the opposite end of the toothpick using glue so the spinner is held securely.