Maths Tales: Origami Bookmark
![Origami Bookmark Header](/imager/images/182840/Origami-Bookmark-Header_2024-04-03-111814_amqn_5472332afa344033d2bf9e7b6b9d883e.png)
Our theme this year is Maths Tales, so for World Book Day (Thurs 7 March) we are showing you how to make an origami bookmark. Did you know the word origami comes from Japanese, and means 'paper folding' (from ori meaning "folding", and kami meaning "paper").
![Preview Maths Tales Origami Bookmark](/imager/images/182851/Preview-Maths-Tales-Origami-Bookmark_2024-04-03-112022_hlls_616b2c32fb7bb9679ad560fc61635847.jpg)
Origami involves a lot of maths skills. You are turning a flat piece of paper in to a 3D shape, which requires spatial awareness. There are fractions involved when you fold your paper in to halves, quarters or more. And when you crease the paper, you are creating lines and angles - the relationship between these is important for your origami creation to turn out successful. A lot of origami designs also involve symmetry or rotation, e.g. when you need to mirror the same folds on the other side of your paper, or when you need to turn your paper around.
Why not explore some of these maths skills while you have a go at folding our monster bookmarks. You can watch the short video below, or scroll down for more detailed step-by-step instructions.
You will need:
- one sheet of A4 paper in a colour of your choice OR origami paper
- other coloured bits of paper – you can use up paper scraps for this
- white card – for the teeth!
- a pair of scissors
- a glue stick
- a black pen
Note: The tutorial shows you how to make a large bookmark. For a smaller bookmark, just use a smaller sheet of paper. The smallest we would advise is a 15cm x 15cm square, otherwise it gets to fiddly. You can also use origami paper, which already comes in squares, and skip the first steps.
![Origami Bookmark Materials](/imager/images/182883/Origami-Bookmark-Materials_616b2c32fb7bb9679ad560fc61635847.jpeg)
Step 1: Place the A4 sheet of paper in front of you, with the short side at the top.
![Bookmark Step 01](/imager/images/182897/Bookmark-Step-01_2024-04-03-112303_pzhf_616b2c32fb7bb9679ad560fc61635847.jpg)
Step 2: Take the bottom right hand corner, and fold it up to meet the left side of the paper so that the edges line up.
![Bookmark Step 02](/imager/images/182915/Bookmark-Step-02_2024-04-03-112400_ynod_616b2c32fb7bb9679ad560fc61635847.jpg)
Step 3: Cut off the excess paper, so that you are left with a folded triangle.
![Bookmark Step 03](/imager/images/182939/Bookmark-Step-03_2024-04-03-112435_wckx_616b2c32fb7bb9679ad560fc61635847.jpg)
![Bookmark Step 04](/imager/images/182965/Bookmark-Step-04_2024-04-03-112547_myoc_616b2c32fb7bb9679ad560fc61635847.jpg)
Step 4: Lay the triangle in front of you with the folded edge at the top. Take the top layer of the corner that is pointing down, and fold it up to meet the top edge.
![Bookmark Step 05](/imager/images/183021/Bookmark-Step-05_2024-04-03-112647_xzqa_616b2c32fb7bb9679ad560fc61635847.jpg)
Step 5: Now take the top right hand corner and fold it down to meet the middle of the corner that is pointing down.
![Bookmark Step 06](/imager/images/183070/Bookmark-Step-06_2024-04-03-112727_pbji_616b2c32fb7bb9679ad560fc61635847.jpg)
Step 6: Repeat the same step for the other side of the paper. You should now have a small square.
![Bookmark Step 07](/imager/images/183125/Bookmark-Step-07_2024-04-03-112900_gzrn_616b2c32fb7bb9679ad560fc61635847.jpg)
Step 7: Turn your square around, so that the open end is pointing up. Then take the top corner and fold the right half of it inwards (the video makes it much clearer what to do here).
![Bookmark Step 08](/imager/images/183206/Bookmark-Step-08_2024-04-03-112952_vnwj_616b2c32fb7bb9679ad560fc61635847.jpg)
![Bookmark Step 09](/imager/images/183250/Bookmark-Step-09_2024-04-03-113019_pshi_616b2c32fb7bb9679ad560fc61635847.jpg)
![Bookmark Step 10](/imager/images/183296/Bookmark-Step-10_2024-04-03-113043_mihg_616b2c32fb7bb9679ad560fc61635847.jpg)
![Bookmark Step 11](/imager/images/183344/Bookmark-Step-11_2024-04-03-113104_muwl_616b2c32fb7bb9679ad560fc61635847.jpg)
Step 8: Repeat the previous step with the other side.
![Bookmark Step 12](/imager/images/183420/Bookmark-Step-12_2024-04-03-113141_epma_616b2c32fb7bb9679ad560fc61635847.jpg)
Step 9: Turn your square around, so that the side with the tucked in ends is at the top and the opening is pointing down. You are now ready to decorate your bookmark!
![Bookmark Step 13](/imager/images/183502/Bookmark-Step-13_2024-04-03-113220_ofdg_616b2c32fb7bb9679ad560fc61635847.jpg)
Step 10: Cut out some shapes from coloured paper to decorate your bookmark. We decided to turn ours in to a book monster! Adding the extra square of paper for the mouth strengthens that side of the bookmark, then we’ve also added a tongue and teeth. The mouth and tongue are glued on to the bottom side, and the teeth are glued under the rim of the top side. We recommend using card rather than paper for the teeth, as this will stand up better to wear and tear. Of course, you can choose to decorate your bookmark any other way you wish too!
![Bookmark Step 15](/imager/images/183590/Bookmark-Step-15_2024-04-03-113419_bato_616b2c32fb7bb9679ad560fc61635847.jpg)
![Bookmark Step 16](/imager/images/183652/Bookmark-Step-16_2024-04-03-113455_jitn_616b2c32fb7bb9679ad560fc61635847.jpg)
![Bookmark Step 18](/imager/images/183716/Bookmark-Step-18_2024-04-03-113508_guki_616b2c32fb7bb9679ad560fc61635847.jpg)
![Preview 2 Maths Tales Origami Bookmark](/imager/images/183782/Preview-2-Maths-Tales-Origami-Bookmark_2024-04-03-113537_tyxb_616b2c32fb7bb9679ad560fc61635847.jpg)
For some more origami maths fun, check out our previous video on how to fold an origami hexagon - you can use it to send someone a letter!
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