Use a square sheet of paper
Fold the paper in half diagonally both ways, then unfold
Fold the paper in half horizontally, then unfold
Fold the top corner down to the center crease, repeat on the other side to form a preliminary kite
Fold the bottom point up to the center crease
Fold the left and right sides inward so the edges meet at the center
Flip the paper over
Repeat the previous inward folds on the other side
Fold the top layer of the left flap outward along the crease, then repeat on the right side
Flatten the folds so the shape becomes a diamond
Pull the left and right flaps outward to open the paper into a crane body shape
Tuck the small flaps inside to lock the structure
Fold the top point down to form the head
Fold the remaining top portion to form the beak
Fold the wings down by bending the left and right corners outward
Gently adjust and shape the wings and tail to finish