Origami Water Bomb (A.K.A. Paper Balloon)

Introduction: Origami Water Bomb (A.K.A. Paper Balloon)

Project Introduction

In this tutorial, I will be showing you the step-by-step process of how to make an Origami Water Bomb (or Paper Ballon if you prefer). This fun little craft can be a fantastic introduction to Origami and 3-Dimensional Shapes, and can even act as a throwable water balloon if done correctly! This is aimed towards students in grades 3-5, but can be enjoyable for all ages.

This process can be completed by just following along with the videos, but if you are ever confused about any of the folds, please refer to the notes under the videos.


Origins of Origami:

"Origami (paper folding) is the art of folding objects out of paper. The word origami originated from Japanese oru, meaning "to fold" and kami, meaning "paper." There is no concrete evidence of where and when origami was invented, however it is widely accepted that China and Japan would be the countries who started this art."

For more information on Origami, please visit this website: https://kidskonnect.com/fun/origami/


Objectives (Grades 3-5)

  • Students will be able to fold an Origami Water Bomb.
  • Students will be introduced to a functional example of 3-Dimensional shapes and products.
  • Students will learn and understand the importance of attention to detail and precision with folds.


STELs

Standards

  • 1) Nature and Characteristics of Technology and Engineering - Referring to the process in which technological products and systems are created. Also the idea of the ability to understand, use, assess, and create technological products, systems, and ways of thinking. Kids will be practicing and understanding a process of forming a shape changing product.
  • 2) Core Concepts of Technology and Engineering - Understanding that requirements are the expected outcomes of a completed product or system and present the designer with limitations, criteria, constraints, and opportunities during the development process. The preciseness of each fold helps ensure the proper function of the device (might not blow up or hold water well if not accurately folded). This points to STEL-2G in Grade 3-5 that illustrates how, when parts of a system are missing, it may not work as planned.
  • 7) Design in Technology and Engineering Education - This activity taps into the enjoyment of human design with such a simple product that changes shape and can even be a water bomb. This simple well-defined process is a good introduction to hands-on problem solving.


Practices

  • TEP-3 Making and Doing - as mentioned, students get to build and model a product that is able to transform into 2 different shapes, thus helping them learn kinesthetically.
  • TEP-4 Critical Thinking - This is an aspect of this design process because the builder must make informed decisions on whether or not they made a correct fold, or if the fold is in fact precise enough for Its intended purpose.


Context

  • TEC-2 Material Conversion and Processing - Material conversion can be addressed with this tutorial because it is important to realize the processes that raw materials (like wood) go through in order to become their end product (paper). Also, there is a sustainability aspect of this product being a paper water bomb/balloon instead of latex or rubber.

Supplies

  • 1 sheet of paper (thicker paper like construction paper is preferred)
  • Scissors (optional)


  • Total price: You can get a pack of regular notebook paper for ~$1 at the store or a pack of construction paper for ~$5



Step 1: The First Fold

I will be using construction paper for this tutorial. To begin, fold the top right corner down so that it is flush with the left side of the paper. You should now have a triangle with extra paper at the bottom. We do not need that extra paper at the bottom, so make a fold to make it easier to tear off of the triangle. It might take a number of folds in order to tear it off cleanly (or you can just use scissors to cut it off).


Step 2: Fold the Other Way

Next, unfold the piece of paper and fold it diagonally in the opposite direction (top left corner down so it is flush with the right side edge). Now unfold that and fold the paper in half so the left edge is flush with the right edge. Finally, unfold that and fold the top edge down to be flush with the bottom edge.


Step 3: Collapse It

Now if you look at the front face of your paper, you should see 4 triangles within that rectangle. After this next fold, we want to be left with the two triangles in the bottom center facing us. Unfold your paper so its a big square again. Next we are going to pinch the horizontal line on each side of the paper and pull those pinched portions down to the bottom edge (folding at the diagonal lines) until it nicely collapses on Itself, leaving a triangle. As you can see in the video, it can be a bit difficult sometimes to get it to collapse properly so be patient!


Step 4: Bottom Corners

Now take the bottom left corner and fold it to the top point along the existing vertical fold line. Do the same for the bottom right corner. Flip your paper over and repeat that process for the other side so it is symmetrical.


Step 5: Outer Corners

Now you should fold the left and right corners in so that the tips are touching the center line. Repeat this on the other side as well to maintain symmetry.


Step 6: Final Folds - Tucking the Tabs

On both sides of the shape there are little tabs that can fold up. Fold them up so it is flush with the point we just folded inwards in step 5. Then fold it again so it folds on top of that step 5 fold. Now if you look at the fold from step 5, you will notice there is a pocket to shove that tab into. Repeat that process until you have folded the two tabs on each side (4 total tabs tucked into a pocket).


Step 7: Blow It Up!

Congratulations! You have completed your very first Origami Water Bomb. Now you can find the hole at one of the ends and blow it up. Water can also be added to act as a water balloon (though you want to make sure to use thicker paper for these purposes). Since it is paper, it is only a one time use if you decide to use it as a water bomb. However, if you only blow it up with air then you can collapse it again by pressing on the crease lines on the sides of the box.


There are other ways and orders of steps that you can use to create this item, but this is just my preferred route. I hope you enjoyed the tutorial!