Paper Prep

In case you don't have a perfectly square piece of origami paper, there is a simple way to get a square piece of paper without measuring, using construction paper or even printer paper. Holding a piece of paper with the long side horizontal, simply fold the rectangular paper from the bottom left corner until it lines up with the top, and cut or tear off the remaining excess paper.

Pre-Creasing

Now that you have a square piece of paper, fold top right to bottom left to form a triangle, then open. Fold top right to bottom left, crease the triangle and open. You will now have a big X through the center of your square.

Pinch & Fold

Firmly hold the bottom triangle down with your two thumbs on the end of its low points. Using the rest of your hand, push the middle sections so they meet in the middle of the bottom triangle. Crease at the top point. You should be holding a triangle now instead of a square.

Folding a Diamond

You will now have two triangles attached; one is the back triangle and one is the front. Take the right bottom corner of the front triangle and fold it so the point hits the top point. Do the same to the other side so it forms a diamond shape in the front. Flip the paper over and do the same to the back side. Your shape will now be a diamond instead of a triangle.

Final Two Folds

On the front diamond, fold both the left and right points into the center of the diamond as shown. Flip the diamond over and do the same on the back. On either side of the center of the diamond will be open flaps, either at the top or the bottom (one set will be attached, the other will not); fold these down as shown by the dotted lines and tuck under the new left and right triangle folds. Your shape will now be a rectangle with points on either end.

Blow Up the Ball

On either the top or bottom point of your origami shape (the opposite side you just folded the points down) their will be a small hole. Blow into the hole and puff up your shape. Ta-da! Origami ball!