Origami n' Stuff 4 Kids: Crafts Around the World: Italy

Origami Folding Tips

Origami, from the Japanese ori (to fold) and kami (paper), began in the 6th century when Buddhist monks introduced paper to Japan. The print-and-fold crafts and easy diagrams are designed to help children with fine motor skills, directions and hand eye coordination. Some basic origami folding tips:

Print and cut out patterns carefully.
Fold with clean, dry hands.
Follow the instructions. Study the diagrams and be patient.
Be precise: fold each crease well, flattening the creases by running your fingertip over the fold.
Folding the paper away from you is easier than folding towards you.
Be creative...use your origami on greeting cards, holiday decorations, table place cards and bookmarks.

Buon giorno! Print these paper models of Constantine's Arch and the Roman Colosseum. Cut out along outer solid line, then use tape or glue on tabs to assemble models. Who said Rome wasn't built in a day?

Colosseum. Photo by Tammy Yee.

The Colosseum
The Roman Colosseum, or Flavian's Amphitheatre, reflects the genius and grandeur of ancient Roman architecture and remains one of Rome's major attractions.

Construction on the Colosseum began almost 2,000 years ago during the reign of the Emperor Vespasian in 70 AD. Vespasian never saw the completion of his arena--at the time of his death in 79 AD, construction had reached the third level.

The top level was finally finished and inaugurated by Vespasian's son, Titus, in 80 AD. The inaugural games were a spectacle. 9,000 wild animals were slaughtered to the roar of spectators, and the arena was flooded with water to stage mock sea battles.

Colosseum. Photo by Tammy Yee.

Years later, Vespasian's younger son, the Emperor Domitian remodeled the Colosseum, creating a maze of underground tunnels and cages for gladiators, slaves and animals, and increasing its seating capacity by adding an upper gallery.

In its heyday the Colosseum sat 50,000 people who gathered to watch gladiatorial games, battle re-enactments, executions and staged animal hunts. Rhinos, hippos, elephants, lions and tigers were brought from across the known world for entertainment.

The Arch of Constantine. Photo by Tammy Yee.

Constantine's Arch
Beside the Roman Colosseum is a stately arch, 70 feet tall and 84 feet wide. Erected in 315 AD, the arch commemorates Constantine I's victory at the Battle of Milvian Bridge. Inscriptions on both sides of the arch hail Constantine's military prowess and righteousness:

IMPERATORI CAESARI FLAVIO CONSTANTINO MAXIMO
PIO FELICI AVGVSTO SENATVS POPVLVSQVE ROMANVS
QVOD INSTINCTV DIVINITATIS MENTIS
MAGNITVDINE CVM EXERCITV SVO
TAM DE TYRANNO QVAM DE OMNI EIVS
FACTIONE VNO TEMPORE IVSTIS
REMPVBLICAM VLTVS EST ARMIS
ARCVM TRIVMPHIS INSIGNEM DICAVIT

To the Emperor Caesar Flavius Constantinus, the Greatest,
pious, fortunate, the Senate and people of Rome,
by inspiration of divinity and his own great mind
with his righteous arms
on both the tyrant and his faction
in one instant in rightful
battle he avenged the republic,
dedicated this arch as a memorial to his military victory.

Print and Color Constantine's Arch and the Colosseum:

Print and Build Constantine's Arch and the Colosseum:

Print and Color the Flag of Italy:

Origami n' Stuff 4 Kids

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