How to Make a Kite Base

Learn how to make a kite base in order to create origami animals, like birds and fish, or flowers and vases. Similar to many other origami bases, the kite base begins with a square sheet of origami paper in whatever size you prefer.

Turn the paper over so the patterned or colored side is down.

Fold the paper in half along one of the diagonals. Crease it firmly and then unfold.

With the patterned side still down, turn your paper so it is in a diamond shape. The crease line should run vertically from top to bottom.

Fold the top point and side point into the middle, using the crease line as a guide.

Fold the other side, from the top to the side point into the middle. Make sure both sides are the same length on the bottom of the two folded sides; otherwise, your origami projects may not turn out correctly.

Make a kite base as the starting point for simple projects. Intermediate to advanced projects may require the kite base, but could also begin with one of these origami bases:

• Frog
• Waterbomb
• Preliminary
• Bird