Origami on-the-go

Origami in itself is such an absorbing activity: add to it the pleasures of using vibrant custom papers to create unexpected animals and planes and cultural treasures, and the combination is a lifesaver (for parents), entertainment (for kids), and a great learning experience (good for parents and kids).

Maragaret Van Sicklen, the 'origami swami' who's known for her clear, easy-to-follow instructions and clever designs, creates 40 projects with globe trotting themes.

The folds are geared to children as young as eight, and range from the playful, Pig Finger Puppet, to the practical, Souvenir wallet, to the beautiful, a peacock - the kind a traveller might find strutting on the grounds of the Taj Mahal.

Paper for the projects is included in the book: 100 sheets of colourful custom designed origami pages, each tied in to the projects, plus two pages of stickers.

Along the way kids learn much about the world: how to convert currency; the Seven Natural Wonders; essential words in different languages; latitude and longitude; all about the chatty, intelligent crows of Russia and Australia's fuzzy koala bears - inspiration to make on of your own.