Origami

Origami is the art of folding a single sheet of paper into a finished form without cutting or gluing. Traditional models are simple enough for children, while modern complex origami involves serious mathematics and can take hours per piece.

It is the cheapest hobby on this site to start: a square of paper costs nothing and the instructions are free.

Start with traditional models — crane, boat, jumping frog — using regular printer paper cut square.

Learn the standard bases (bird base, waterbomb base). Most models build from a handful of them.

Fold precisely and crease firmly. Sloppy early folds compound into a misshapen model.

Move to proper kami or tant paper once you outgrow printer paper; thinner paper handles complex folds far better.