I don't know where she gets these ideas, but K wanted to try origami, the Japanese art of paper folding.  She's actually asked repeatedly.  Since J started some of her summer activities this week (basketball camp and summer ballet classes), tonight seemed like a good night to try.  I had some leftover origami paper and instruction books from the last time I did this craft, which was probably when J was younger. 

K's favorites were a crane that could flap its wings when you pulled the tail, and a small paper balloon that you can actually blow up.  I got the paper into the correct position and let her do the actual folding.  It's not as neat this way, but it kept her involved.  After doing a butterfly, the flapping crane, and balloon, she decided she would "do some herself."  Translated, this meant that she would take a piece of paper, fold it a million different ways, then proudly show me and say, "Look, mommy!  I made a (bird/plane/table/sleeping bag/clapping hands, etc.)"  She did notice how folding the paper made different shapes, which surprised me.  The book we used mentioned that Japanese children are taught origami at a young age because it teaches them geometry and improves their calligraphy by making their fingers more nimble! 

If you don't have origami paper, squares of wrapping paper will work, or just regular paper.  If it's not square, you'll need to cut it into that shape, since almost all origami uses square pieces of paper.  Your library is a great source for how-to books.  We have "Origami Inspired by Japanese Prints" by Steve and Megumi Biddle (The Metropolitan Museum of Art:  Viking).  It has easy to follow instructions, great step-by-step pictures for those who are all thumbs, and ties the origami to Japanese prints shown in the book, as well as historical and cultural explanations in simple terms.  Online there are some cute, easy, kid-friendly ideas at http://www.origami-instructions.com/origami-for-kids.html. 

Kids are usually fascinated by this craft, and it does have a magical element to it.  Taking a regular piece of paper and folding it into a bird, rabbit, or panda--it's like creating an instant toy!  Both of my girls enjoy it, even my older one.  Give it a try--the easy designs are pretty forgiving, and chances are your kids will want to try creating their own, like mine did. 

And so, "Sayonara" (goodbye in Japanese) from Lancaster County!  See you next time!