How to Fold a Paper Popper

Easy level, 10 steps. From Pleasant Work for Busy Fingers (Browne), 1896. Public domain.

The animated version shows each fold moving, one step per screen. This page shows every step at once.

All 10 steps

Step 1. Start with a sheet twice as long as it is wide. Fold it in half the long way, then unfold.
Step 2. Fold it in half the short way, then unfold.
Step 3. Fold the top left corner to the center line.
Step 4. Fold the top right corner to the center line.
Step 5. Fold the bottom left corner to the center line.
Step 6. Fold the bottom right corner to the center line.
Step 7. Fold the left half over onto the right half, with the corners inside.
Step 8. Fold the top point down and out to the right, on a line from the middle of the folded edge.
Step 9. Fold the bottom point up and out to the right the same way.
Step 10. Fold the bottom half behind the top half.
Done. Hold the two points together and snap your arm down. The inside pops out with a bang (Browne, Pleasant Work for Busy Fingers, 1896).