Bible Origami - A Fun Way to do Origami

My kids and I love paper folding or better know as Origami! We used to sit behind this family at church who would make all sorts of cool things for his kids out of the program! I am only good at two things…a boat and a hat! 🙂 They are the same you just have to tip them upside down! I can do fun stuff if I have a cool book thought! We just recieved this really cool Bible Origami book by Todd Huisken that I am so excited to give my boys for Christmas! They are going to LOVE It!!

About Bible Origami-

I decided to try a few of the designs before I wrapped it and put it under the tree for my 10 year old! The instructions are great and the desisns are so cool! Bible Origami contains 24 simple to intermediate origami designs that come from the Old and New Testament: Jonah and the whale, the Ten Commandments tablets, Noah’s Ark, a dove, fishes and loaves, a manger and many more. As you can see I made the Manger and it turned out so cute!!

My boys are always folding paper airplanes during church, so this would be a great thing to do instead of folding them into airplanes they could fold them inot Joseph’s coat or Noah’s Ark! The other great thing about these designs is that if you are a teacher and are teaching on the subject you can take a little break and teach the children the origami for the story!

Here is a little Q&A I got from Todd about why he made thisBible Origami book….

Todd, how long have you been doing origami?

Answer: My earliest memory of folding paper was in fourth grade. My teacher was having us do a hands-on science experiment where we would fold origami boats and float them in water with pennies in them to estimate how much weight they could hold before they sank. Most recently, I picked up the hobby again in 2011 while sitting in church. My wife and I were watching some friend’s children and I was trying to keep the nine year old quiet and busy. I taught him how to fold a paper airplane while we were sitting there but then he started flying it above his head. My wife leaned over to me and said, “Do you really think you should have been folding a paper airplane in church?” She was totally right, but it got me thinking, “What could children fold in church that would keep their hands busy and help them be reverent.” From there I began doing some research on different religious origami designs. Everything just took off from there.

Where do you come up with your ideas and the designs?

Answer: I’d like to say that I have come up with all of the designs myself but I have a couple of origami artists that have worked closely with in coming up with the designs. In the beginning I relied heavily on them as I was learning all of the different folds. They were both always very gracious in offering their suggestions and designs. These days I go to them when I’m stuck and they bail me out.

Where did you get the inspiration to write a book on origami?

Answer: I have an amazing wife, Jill, who when I told her my idea told me to, “Go for it.” She is amazing creative in her own right and she has always been supportive. Whenever I would get stuck, she was there to encourage me. She inspired me and inspires me. I also have four great kids, Kylie, Jolie, Sophie and Dean who have been my guinea pigs when it came to practicing my different models. They would tell me if it was too hard, or didn’t look like what I was trying to portray. They were also part of my amazing team.

Who is this book written for?

Answer: First, I think origami is a wonderful teaching tool for kids as it combines following instructions with a hands on approach that kids enjoy. Plus, the end result is always an accomplishment that the folder can look at as something they have created. I can see origami being used in church schools and home school programs, as well as with family for fun activities on Sundays. It requires very little in preparation, just paper. I’ve also heard of it being used with older youth in missionary activities where they leave notes for people on some of the designs. Rather than a post it note with a reading assignment, the person being taught is left with the assignment written on a dove or oil lamp.

About the Author –Todd Huisken is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Irvine, California. He had a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Brigham Young University, a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of San Diego and has been in practice for 21 years. Todd has served as the Assistant Director of Disaster Mental Health Services for the Orange County Chapter of the American Red Cross. He has worked with victims from the San Diego Fires, Hurricanes Ivan and Katrina, and spent two weeks in Haiti following the earthquake in 2010. He’s a writer, a runner and a paper folder. Todd has been married to his beautiful wife for 26 years and they have three daughters and a son. In their free time, the Huiskens try to make Disneyland their second home.