Start with a square sheet of paper, colored side up if applicable
Fold it in half diagonally to make a triangle
Unfold
Fold it in half diagonally the other way
Unfold
Turn the paper over
Fold it in half horizontally
Unfold
Fold it in half vertically
Unfold
Bring the top corners together and collapse the paper into a square base
Position the open end facing down
Fold the left and right edges of the top layer to the center line
Fold the top point down
Unfold the last three folds
Lift the bottom point of the top layer upward while folding the side edges inward
Flatten to form a long diamond shape
Turn the paper over and repeat the same folds on the other side
Fold the left and right edges of the top layer to the center line
Fold the top point down
Unfold the last three folds
Lift the bottom point of the top layer upward while folding the side edges inward
Flatten to form a long diamond shape
Fold the left and right outer edges of the top layer toward the center to make the crane’s neck and tail
Fold one narrow point upward to form the head
Fold the head tip downward to make the beak
Pull the wings down gently
Shape the crane as needed