Origami n' Stuff 4 Kids: spring

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.

What's an equinox? The equinox occurs when, because of the Earth's tilt as it orbits the sun, the sun shines directly on the equator, when the "length of day and night are nearly equal in all parts of the world." Hence the name equinox, from the Latin aequus (equal) and nox (night).

There are two equinoxes each year. The first occurs on March 20 or 21 and the second occurs on September 22 or 23. Here in the Northern Hemisphere, we associate the March or Vernal equinox with the official start of spring (in the Southern Hemisphere, the March equinox marks the start of autumn). The 2011 equinox on March 20 was special because it coincided with the rare supermoon, which occurs only once every 20 years or so. On March 19, 2011, the full moon was on its closest approach to earth, appearing 14% larger and 30% brighter than normal.

March equinox celebrations:

World Storytelling Day, which began in Sweden in 1991 as a day devoted to the art of storytelling, is now a global celebration.
World Citizen Day celebrates the unity of the human family, transcending borders.
Burning of the Socks Festival in Annapolis, Maryland. Traditionally, the boating community wears socks only during the winter. These are burned at the approach of warmer weather, to welcome the start of spring.

Create an Origami Spring Bouquet for March

Origami n' Stuff 4 Kids

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