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Peace Crane

Two steps involved in the construction of a peace crane. Finished crane in black and white on the left, folded paper in blue on the right.

Make a Peace Crane

Follow the instructions below to turn your sheet of origami paper into a peace crane! And share your finished peace crane with us on social media using the hashtag #nppeacecrane.

Instructions provided by the Peace Crane Project.

Watch How-To Video

a paper with a hand-drawn yellow arrow pointing downwards.

1. Fold the paper in half diagonally.

3D paper art, including a blue shape representing a step to make a paper crane. The image is simple with clean lines, focused on the geometric representation of shapes in space.

2. Fold in half again.

3D paper art, including a blue shape representing a step to make a paper crane. The image is simple with clean lines, focused on the geometric representation of shapes in space.

3. Bring top point of the top layer down to meet the bottom point, opening paper as you go to form a square.

3D paper art, including a blue shape representing a step to make a paper crane. The image is simple with clean lines, focused on the geometric representation of shapes in space.

4. Does your paper look like this? If so, turn it over. If not, go back to step 3.

3D paper art, including a blue shape representing a step to make a paper crane. The image is simple with clean lines, focused on the geometric representation of shapes in space.

5. Repeat fold on this side to form another square.

3D paper art, including a blue shape representing a step to make a paper crane. The image is simple with clean lines, focused on the geometric representation of shapes in space.

6. Fold sides of top layer to middle, then unfold.

3D paper art, including a blue shape representing a step to make a paper crane. The image is simple with clean lines, focused on the geometric representation of shapes in space.

7. Fold top down to side creases, then lift top layer upward.

3D paper art, including a blue shape representing a step to make a paper crane. The image is simple with clean lines, focused on the geometric representation of shapes in space.

8. Create a boat like shape by folding sides inward.

3D paper art, including a blue shape representing a step to make a paper crane. The image is simple with clean lines, focused on the geometric representation of shapes in space.

9. Flatten boat shape inward.

3D paper art, including a blue shape representing a step to make a paper crane. The image is simple with clean lines, focused on the geometric representation of shapes in space.

10. Turn over and repeat folds on the other side.

11. Open to boat shape, then flatten.

12. Fold sides of top layer to middle.

13. Does it look like this? Then turn over and repeat the folds in step 12.

14. Reverse fold the bottom points.

15. Reverse fold one point to create the head of the crane!

16. Bring the side flaps down to create the wings of the crane – and you’re done!