A Whale of a Time with Origami

Project Discipline: Crafts
​Ages: All ages
Difficulty level: easy
Supplies: paper, scissors, pen or pencil

It's Monday and time to have some FUN and try something new.  Thanks to 4-H leader, Jill Hayden, for the photos & instructions.  First, gather your supplies. Any type, style, color, or size paper will do. Extra bonus points if you use recycled paper, like newspapers or magazines! 

• If your paper of choice is rectangular, fold along an even diagonal and trim the excess, and save that bit for a teeny whale later! 
  
• ​Open up your diagonally folded square. Take one edge and bring it to meet the diagonal central line. Repeat with the other side – you should now have a kite shape. 
  
• ​Fold down the top point to meet the central line. 

Fold in half along your original fold, so the flaps and folded parts are facing in. 

Time for the tail! Take the long thin tip and fold up at a right angle. Give it a sharp crease.

Unfold the whale, and the tail, so the folds lay flat on your surface. Fold the tail upwards and fold the whale back in half so the pointy tail sticks straight up! 

Finally, make a small cut at the top of the tail along the middle crease, and fold down.

Draw your facial features and customize as you please! You can even make a whole pod, complete with babies! 

Don't forget to share a photo of your whales with us on the Alaska 4-H facebook page.