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, bottom, left, and right corners together into a smaller square base
Position the open end of the square base at the bottom
Fold the left and right edges of the top layer toward the center line
Fold the top point down over the two flaps
Unfold the last three folds
Lift the bottom point of the top layer upward while folding the side edges inward to form a long diamond
Repeat on the back side
Fold the left and right edges of the top layer toward the center line again
Fold the top point down over the two flaps
Unfold the last three folds
Lift the bottom point of the top layer upward while folding the side edges inward to form a long diamond
Repeat on the back side
Fold one long outer flap inward to make a narrow neck
Fold the other long outer flap inward to make a narrow tail
Fold the neck tip down to form the crane’s head
Pull the wings down gently
Shape the body, neck, head, and tail as needed