How To Make Origami Magic Ball And Folding Instructions

Mini Magic Ball Origami Instructions (Video 1)



How to make an origami magic ball (Video 2)



Origami Magic Ball Folding Instructions

Origami is the Japanese art of folding paper into any number of different shapes. An origami magic ball is a sphere shape created by folding a piece of paper. It is called a "magic" ball because when you pick it up and handle it, the sphere changes shape. For example, turning the ball inside out results in a mushroom shape. This is an advanced origami project. Although skilled folders can use smaller size paper, someone attempting the origami magic ball for the first time should use a larger and rectangular piece of paper that is twice as long as it is wide.

The origami magic ball is one of the more complex origami forms. Although very time consuming, the result is a beautiful, layered ball and an exciting challenge for experienced crafters. The origami magic ball is a foldable ornament, that the maker can transform from a ball shape into a tube by pushing gently. There are a two different ways to fold the origami magic ball, the traditional method and the quicker method.

Tutorial of how to quickly make and Origami Magic Ball! Get a piece of 20x40cm paper. Fold along side in 32 equal parts, by repeatedly folding the paper in half - using genderless folds. Fold the short side in 8 equal parts- using valley folds. Turn the sheet over and start diagonal folds - using valley folds into 32 parts. Roll paper out flat, and fold it zigzag following previously made genderless folds. At corner of paper, create a "water bomb" by pressing together previously made folds forming indents in the paper. Add another water bomb next to the first one, etc until one row is done. Proceed onto next row of water bombs, and do water bombs for every row on the paper. Tape opposite sides of the paper together, forming a ball. Follow these instructions and you too can have your very own Origami Magic Ball!

Traditional Method

The traditional method is best for those who want to make the original magic ball. Start by folding the paper into 16 by 32 equal-sized squares, using mountain folds, where the paper folds behind itself. On the first row of the long side, fold two diagonal valley folds, where the paper folds toward itself, in every 2 by 2 box square, creating the appearance of crosses. In the second row, the full crosses start from the second square with just a half cross in the first square. Repeat this alternating pattern across the sheet of paper. When finished, crumple the paper to interlock the folds. Tape the two short sides together and fold in the top and bottom.

Quick Method

The quick method is ideal for those looking to spend a little less time on the magic ball. Divide a sheet of paper into 32 even sections along the long side. Form eight valley folds on the short side and 32 diagonally across the paper. Use the grid you have formed to make rows of waterbomb bases across the entire paper. Waterbomb bases involve making valley folds along the diagonals of a square and mountain folds down the center. These rows of waterbomb bases naturally interlock with each other when compressed. Apply a strip of tape to both the top and bottom and stick the two sides together to finish.

Crumpling

To allow the folds to interlock, begin by pinching the mountain folds. Push these ridges toward each other. By continuing to pinch and fold, the paper begins to take on a tube shape. When the sides are taped together, push the tube down in a ball shape or flatten the model into a doughnut.

Mini Ball

You can also use the same method as making the quick magic ball to form a mini magic ball. Using a smaller sheet of paper, reduce the number of sections to 16 by 4 and make only 16 diagonal valley folds. Then, follow the same procedure of interlocking the ball with the waterbomb bases and tape the two long sides together.

How to make an Origami Magic Ball (Video 3)



Origami magic ball diagram

Origami magic ball diagram

Origami magic ball diagram

Origami magic ball turbo flasher bowl tutorial (Video 4)

Easy Origami Rose Flowers

If you haven't folded any origami model before, welcome to the fun of folding origami rose flower. Since we are dealing 3D-model here, it might be very hard for you to start with 3D origami rose initially. There are many sites giving instructions for 2D-models (you can search the web using "origami" as a key word). If you are confident with 2D-models, then you can start with "Easy Origami Roses" here. They are easy compared to other intermediate/advanced models but you might find them to be difficult since they are one dimension higher than 2D-models. If you are becoming comfortable with these roses, then you can start work on Standard Rose or Spiral Rose. But before start working on Easy Origami Rose Flower, you need to know some basics of origami folding techniques known as valley-fold and mountain-fold. They are shown in How To Make Origami page. After you learned what valley-fold and mountain-fold are, you need to practice these folding techniques with some simple origami models. If you have not folded an origami crane before, it is a good practice to learn it now. Origami crane will teach you not only valley and mountain folds but also more advanced technique called "inside reverse-fold".

Origami for Kids

This Origami for Kids section is especially designed for beginners. For a child who has never done origami before, it will take some time before he gets used to the process. Once he has experienced the joy of origami, he will eagerly decipher the origami instructions (called diagrams) by himself.

A child as young as 4 years old can fold paper if an adult sits beside him and coaches him along.
      
At 8 years old, a child who is familiar with origami can follow origami instructions independently. He may need help at the challenging steps so be sure that you are available when he needs you. Photo: "Mette Unit 1" by 8 year old child.
If you are an educator and want to teach origami for kids, consider the age guidelines below. Photo: swans by 4th graders, L. Surber. Read more about this kind of paper folding here.
  • Kindergartners: you can teach 2 or 3 cooperative kindergartners at the same time. Choose very simple models that produce recognizable models such as animals.
  • First Graders: it is most effective to teach in small groups of 4 or 5 children. You can teach the entire class at the same time, but you must be flexible and understand that some kids will not follow instructions and end up with their own creations. Again, choose easy models first, and if the class is receptive to this art form, then progress to harder models.
  • Second Graders: by second grade, you can definately teach the entire class at the same time. Show them how the finished model will look like so that they have an incentive to follow along in the folding sequence.
  • Third Graders and up: at this age, you can teach beyond the traditional origami models. Modular origami is great for teaching math and dollar-bill origami is great to make as presents for Father's Day

Watching a child’s eyes light up when he completes an origami for kids model
is priceless! However, teaching children how to do origami is not as easy as falling off a log. Prepare yourself with these tips to ensure a successful paper folding session.