… or any other day, because folding paper is always a pleasure.
Folding paper into models is not just for kids. The craft is varied in complexity and challenging to become adept at, even before you can near anything approaching mastery. Origami is not only a great physical and mental exercise but comes with a vast history and culture woven into every model, all of which is worth exploring at any age and on any day of the year.
Still, if you need an official excuse, November 11 every year is World Origami Day, first celebrated in Japan in 1980 and it has now become an international festival spearheaded by OrigamiUSA’s World Origami Days event, spread from October 24 to November 11.
Every festival needs some celebration, so how do you participate if you want to have your own small or large Origami celebration?
Origami Day Activities You Must Try
Put on Your Origami Hat
I think origami you can wear is always a good way to get into the spirit of things. There are dozens of paper folded hat designs you can look up. My personal favorites is this very stylish looking Samurai Hat. Check out the posts below for my experiments with it and instructions on how to fold your own.
Fold 1000 Origami Cranes, or a Few
In Japanese tradition, Senbazuru (千羽鶴) is a string of 1000 paper cranes often used as an offering at shrines. It is considered an auspicious object that you can buy, but actually folding the 1000 cranes is also said to grant you a special wish.
In the 1950’s a young Hiroshima survivor, Sadako Sasaki, famously folded a 1000 cranes before succumbing to her condition. This event further boosted the reputation of the origami crane as a symbol of peace and hope.
Fold one yourself. Fold a 1000 with friends and loved ones. May your wishes come true.
Fold Yourself Through an Entire Origami Workshop. Invite Friends
The only thing better than folding a single origami model is folding a whole set of models and get some of that origami workshop experience. Here is the pages of a hand-drawn instruction booklet for a quick origami workshop I conducted on the Classmate (by ITC) Instagram account some years ago.
Follow along and make all 4 models, including my favourite flapping-wing crane.
Be a Kid For a Day, Make Some Paper Planes or Paper Boats
I really can’t choose between paper planes and paper boats. I am partial to both and have my childhood memories and history with both of them. I still make and play with both of them, as should you.
Less Activity, More Enjoyable Inactivity
Don’t want to fold and want to stare at a screen instead? I’ve got you covered. There’s a whole slew of documentaries and interesting videos about the art of paper folding.
Above all else, have fun! Origami is meant to be fun, and all the layers of meaning and culture and science only add to the richness of this simple and calming hobby.
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