Origami is an exceptional brain trainer; Craniogami takes it to another level of fun with ingeniously crafted, ineffably beauteous animal designs.
~zPlayCoach
These videos were filmed during my last few magical months on Kaua’i, and you’ll catch glimpses of some of my favorite island spots along the way. While some folds move fast and a few steps might be tricky, don’t worry—just pause, rewind, and take your time. Part of the fun is in the challenge!
I’ve also included newer versions of each fold with a clean background, slower instructions, and narration to make things easier to follow.
Pīkake/Peacock (easiest fold)
Peacocks are living rainbows with feathers that can stretch as long as their bodies—over 5 feet! While most people are familiar with the dazzling Indian peacock, there are also rare Green and Congo varieties. The White peacock isn’t albino but rather a magical twist of genetics. These birds aren’t just beauty queens—they’re symbols of love, compassion, and immortality in many cultures. In Hindu stories, gods ride them into battle or wear their feathers as crowns. With a lifespan of up to 20 years, peacocks strut through life as timeless icons of grace and pride.
‘elepani/Elephant
Elephants are gentle giants and the largest land animals on Earth. They live in tight-knit families led by wise matriarchs, while males strike out on their own as they grow older. Their trunks are masterpieces of nature—2 meters long, weighing over 300 pounds, and made of 100,000 muscles—used for everything from hugs to snorkeling. With ears that double as cooling fans, tusks for digging, and a heart for community, elephants embody strength, loyalty, and memory. They can even swim, proving that these massive herbivores are more graceful than they look.
Honu/Turtle
Turtles are the slow-and-steady superheroes of the reptile world. Their shells work like shields: the top is the “carapace,” and the bottom is the “plastron.” Some can even tuck their heads inside for extra protection! Sea turtles are ancient travelers, around for more than 215 million years, and the leatherback sea turtle can weigh as much as a small car. Fun fact: for some species, the temperature of the sand decides whether the babies are male or female. With built-in salt filters and a life that bridges land and sea, turtles remind us of resilience and wisdom.
Pulelehua/Butterfly
Butterflies are tiny miracles of transformation. They start life as eggs, turn into crawling caterpillars, then seal themselves inside a chrysalis before emerging as winged wonders. With scales that shimmer in colors and patterns, butterflies are living art in motion. They “taste” with their feet, sip nectar from flowers, and can live from a week to a year depending on the species. Monarchs famously migrate thousands of miles, passing the journey from one generation to the next. With their short, magical lives, butterflies symbolize change, beauty, and the joy of new beginnings.
‘ōpūnāwai/Frog
Frogs are nature’s amphibian acrobats—born as fish-like tadpoles before leaping into adult life. They breathe through their skin, drink by soaking up water, and even use their eyes to push food down when they swallow (blinking doubles as a dining tool!). Frogs can see in nearly every direction at once, and their sticky tongues shoot out like rubber bands to snatch insects. Found in swamps, ponds, and rainforests, frogs are reminders of transformation and adaptability, filling the night air with their playful chorus of croaks.
Pua‘a/Pig
Pigs are playful problem-solvers with super-snouts that sniff out food buried deep in the ground. They’re intelligent, social, and surprisingly clean when given the chance. With around 2 billion pigs worldwide, they’re among the most widespread animals on Earth. Wild boars roam forests as tiger prey, while some pigs lounge happily as family pets. Though feral pigs can disrupt ecosystems, pigs overall are symbols of curiosity, adaptability, and joy—rolling in mud not just to cool off, but because life’s more fun that way.
‘ū‘ū/Parrot
Parrots are the chatterboxes and comedians of the bird world. With over 370 species, from tiny budgies to giant cockatoos, they dazzle with bright feathers and quick wits. Some can mimic human voices, while others, like the alpine kea of New Zealand, are mischievous explorers known to unzip backpacks and play with ski gear. The nocturnal kakapo—once nearly lost—is the heavyweight champ of parrots. Many can live 80 years or more, making them lifelong companions. Whether perched on a shoulder or flying through the tropics, parrots spread joy with color and laughter.
‘īlioholoikauaua/Seal
Seals are the ocean’s sunbathers—spending hours lounging on beaches or ice, then slipping back into the water with effortless grace. With streamlined bodies and flippered feet, they’re built for swimming and can dive hundreds of feet deep while holding their breath for up to half an hour. Seals are curious, playful, and social, often seen splashing, rolling, and even “clapping” their flippers together. They communicate with barks, grunts, and sometimes amusing honks, adding their voices to the seaside symphony. From balancing balls to leaping through waves, seals remind us of the joy in play, the calm of rest, and the importance of living both in the moment and in harmony with the sea.
Nai‘a/Dolphin
Dolphins are ocean acrobats and social butterflies, famous for leaping, spinning, and riding waves. They live in pods, communicate with clicks and whistles, and use echolocation like natural sonar. Bottlenose dolphins are the best known, but even the mighty orca is part of their family. Intelligent and playful, they’ve been spotted play-fighting, tossing seaweed, and even befriending swimmers. Dolphins breathe through a blowhole, see in almost any condition, and sometimes save each other—or even humans—from danger. They remind us that joy and teamwork are just as powerful as strength.