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Origami Activities
Origami Activities
Origami is a great way to relax, stay present, and tap into your creativity. It only takes a piece of paper and a few minutes to make something beautiful. Whether you're folding a crane, a flower, or something totally new, origami can be calming and fun.
Materials:
Materials:
Origami Paper (preferred or regular paper depending on the design)
Instructions:
Instructions:
Pick a design you want to try from the https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnoO3k54vcBQ_tNFyn7ukM1-LaQBAG2Ld&si=zYgo5Lh260OPBp3j
Get a square sheet of paper (any size works, but origami paper is easiest).
Watch the video tutorial and follow along step-by-step. Pause and rewind if you need go at your own pace!
Breathe and enjoy the process. This is about being in the moment and having fun not perfection.
When you're done, take a moment to reflect on how you feel. You can even decorate your origami or gift it to someone.
Try different designs and see what speaks to you. Origami can be a quiet way to express your emotions, reduce anxiety, and practice mindfulness.
Step-By-Step Clay
Step-By-Step Clay
The sensory experience of creating your own, personal, and unique art piece can be soothing and grounding, as it is another way to express one’s thoughts and emotions without the use of words. With some at-home materials, you can have your own clay, helping you interact with a safe exploration of creativity and the best components of mindfulness.
Materials:
Materials:
*For a larger quantity of clay, double each ingredient (flour, salt, & water)*
1 large bowl
Spoon OR whisk
One cup of flour (all-purpose)
½ cup salt
½ cup water
Acrylic paint OR chalk paint OR watercolors (optional)
Your hands!
Instructions:
Instructions:
*If your learning style fits best with visuals, please feel free to watch this tutorial instead*
Gather and organize: Gather the listed materials on a large surface and place them far from any edge to avoid any spills or accidents from occurring while you work with your hands. Organization and attentiveness are key for all activities!
Add flour & salt to bowl: Add one cup of all-purpose flour and ½ cup of salt into the large bowl.
Mix: Use your spoon or whisk to mix both ingredients together thoroughly, or until there is no visible separation or lumps of the flour and salt.
Add water: Pour ½ cup of water into the bowl’s mixture and stir until large clumps start to appear.
Use your hands: Time to put your hands to work! Start mixing the clay with your dominant hand, while the other holds down the bowl. Act as if you are kneading dough, making sure you mix it into a smooth, non-sticky consistency. If there is dry flour stuck on the bowl, stick it onto the clay as you mix. Knead for 5-10 minutes.
Add some color! (optional): If you have some acrylic paint or watercolors laying around in your home, feel free to add some color to your clay! For the closest match of any color, we need to make the default color, which allows one to mix any color to get the right shade. Take a small amount of red with your finger, add it to the clay, and mix thoroughly until the color spreads evenly. Repeat this step with orange.
Add some color! cont. (optional): After achieving the default color, you can add any color to get your perfect shade, but make sure to mix thoroughly with each addition.
For a solid, white clay, use white paint (acrylic or chalk). This is great if you want to make decorative items, ornaments, tags, etc.
Mold the clay: It's time for molding! Use your clay to mold and sculpt any shape or figure to your liking. There are absolutely ZERO rules and guidelines for this step. This is now your time to express your creativity, externalize your inner thoughts, and ease your mind into a blissful state.
Drying your masterpiece: Once you’ve finished your creation, place it in an area with no heating sources and with minimal/no sunlight. Allow it to air-dry for approximately 24-48 hours (time varies depending on thickness). Your masterpiece should then be ready to go!
We hope you've experienced a calming art session after engaging with this non-verbal outlet. Clay molding can allow for deepened emotional expression and relaxation, so come back and show off your creative side when you feel the need.
Citations:
Citations:
- YouTube. (n.d.). Easy Origami for kids. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnoO3k54vcBQ_tNFyn7ukM1-LaQBAG2Ld
- Craft Merint. (2019). How to Make Clay at Home |Homemade Clay | Craft Clay. In www.youtube.com. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jlH7qLfUNg
Louise, M. (2018, December 12). The Perfect Salt Dough Recipe - Maria Louise Design. Maria Louise Design -. https://marialouisedesign.com/2018/12/12/the-perfect-salt-dough-recipe/
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