Origami Field Trips have Returned!

Over the last decade Taro’s Origami Studio has been proud to offer school field trips to spread origami to children across the greater New York area.  They began in our first store in Park Slope, and we are thrilled to announce their return to our current location in Sunset Park at Industry City in Japan Village in Brooklyn.   For these field trips we provide a quick overview of the history of origami and how it’s used today (aerospace, biological breakthroughs, engineering, etc) show off some amazing examples of complex origami, and then jump into teaching guests how to fold origami for themselves.

We choose our lessons based on the skills of the attendees, so no one is left behind and everyone is able to leave with their very own origami models.  We can also take requests based on groups and current events or holidays, so feel free to ask us to teach anything and we will find a model that will work for your field trip.

Pricing – (Includes the space rental cost)

• $350 fee for a one hour field trip lesson at Cabin #2
• This price is for groups of up to 20 students
• No charge additional fees for teachers, aids, or chaperons

How to Get Here

• The field trip space is located in Cabin #2 in Courtyard ¾ of Industry City
  • The space is managed by the restaurant Waku Waku and is rented by Taro’s Origami Studio through Japan Village for the event
  • This is the exact GPS location of cabin (it does not have an official address)
  • While there is not strict limit on total number of guests that can fit inside the cabin, please be aware that there is limited seating for more than 24 guests, and standing may be necessary for teachers, aids, or chaperons
• Please do not come up to our studio space upon arrival, as it will be closed, but if your group ends up there by mistake, we will have a sign instructing them where to go.
• If arriving by subway, please use the main entrance at 934, 3rd Avenue Walk straight through the market, and the cabin will be just on the left as you enter the courtyard
• Loading and unloading by bus is best done at the entrance on 253 36th Street – This is the closest entrance to the cabin, and much safer than using 3rd Avenue.
  • After you walk through this entrance and into the courtyard, make a right and go down the main thoroughfare; the cabin will be on the right just past the brick structure
  • Please do not walk through the Waku Waku restaurant as it may not be open during the time of your event

Class Structure

• We begin with of a brief (5-15 minute) discussion and presentation/side show covering the history of origami and it’s contemporary uses and applications in STEM fields
  • Taro’s also offers hands-on models that the students can pick up and interact with
• The remainder of the time (around 40-50 minutes) is spent instructing students how to fold different origami models
  • Origami paper is provided by Taro’s for students to use
  • The amount of origami origami students will be able to learn varies based on the age of the students, how well behaved they are, and the complexity of the models
  • Generally, students can expect to learn 2-4 differ origami models
  • Taro’s staff will tailor the difficulty of the origami based on the age of the students, and adjust the lesson plan if needed
• At the end of the field trip lesson, Taro’s will provide small paper bags for students to bring home what they have folded

How to Book

• Field trips can be booked Tuesday-Friday, for any hour duration between 11am-6pm.  We are closed Mondays.
• We cannot host groups earlier than 11am, as Japan Village only opens at 10am and our staff need time to set up the space for your group
• The cabin must be rented from Japan Village for every event; Taro’s must confirm the availability of your desired date and time
  • Please reach out to Frank Ling at frank@tarosorigami.com with the above information
  • Once the availability is confirmed, we will reach out to you confirm the booking and create an invoice
  • The turnaround time for confirming availability is usually one business day (except for Mondays and Tuesdays when the restaurant that manages the cabin is closed). Please allow for a longer response if you submit and inquiry on those dates.

Cancellations and Rescheduling

• Bookings can be canceled up to 48 hours before their scheduled date/time
• If you need to reschedule a booking at Cabin #2 and your booked date/time has already been confirmed with Japan Village, Taro’s needs to be notified at least two weeks in advance
• If the newly desired date is sooner than the currently scheduled one, Taro’s needs to be notified two weeks in advance of the new date

Miscellaneous FAQ

• What is the recommended age for students interested in learning about origami?
  • We suggest students in grades 1 through 12. Younger children in preschool and kindergarten generally have a difficult time following the folding instructions.
• Can you work with special needs students?
  • Yes! Please make us aware in advance and our instructors will do their best to create an inclusive, welcoming learning environment.
• Is there a way to tie the origami lesson into what the students are already working on in school?
  • We are happy to tailor the presentation and origami that the students learn to fold, within reason. For example, if you are working on a module about the history of Japan, we can focus more on the ancient history of origami and teach the students to fold traditional Japanese models.
• Can a summer camp book a field trip lesson for campers?
  • Yes! In the summer we offer field trips for groups of children looking to learn about the art of paper folding.
• Do you offer discounts for Title 1 schools?
  • Unfortunately we do not offer a discount lower than the fixed rate for the lesson, as it is already far lower than we would charge for a private group lesson of an equivalent size.
• What if my class size is larger than 20 students?
  • While we may be able to accommodate a couple more students over the allotted 20, for larger groups we recommend splitting your students into two smaller groups. We can offer to split the hour lesson into two smaller 30 minute, back-to-back lessons for the same fixed price. You can also book an additional hour long lesson for the smaller group.
• Do you offer discounts for smaller groups of students?
  • If your group is less than 10 students, it may be possible to host in our studio space for a reduced rate.
• Can teachers, aids, or chaperons fold along with the students?
  • Yes! Just please be aware that Taro’s staff priority is helping out the students first.
• What happens if our group is for the scheduled lesson time?
  • Unfortunately because we rent the cabin from Japan Village, we are not allowed to stay in the space beyond the scheduled hour. Your group will be taught a lesson that fits the remaining time, however long that may be. We encourage all groups to arrive at least 15 minutes ahead of the start time.
• Is there a place where our students/group can eat lunch?
  • Yes! Both Japan Village and the larger Industry City complex offer both indoor and outdoor seating. These spaces are open to the public, so reserved seating is not guaranteed.
• Can you come to our school to teach students?
  • Yes! The pricing for this type of lesson varies, so please reach out to us to discuss details.
• Do  the students get to keep everything they folded?
  • Of course!