3-D Paper Snowflakes Are a Hit

January 16, 2013

Smithville's Homeschoolers @ the Library made 3-D snowflakes this December. Before the class, branch staff made a few to help the instructor determine what steps might be the most difficult. We hung these staff "flakes" over our circulation desk. Whoa! Everyday a patron would ask, "Did you make those? They're great! Do you have a pattern I could copy?" So, we thought we would share our snowflake fun with everyone. 

All you need is 6 sheets of  paper, a ruler, pencil, scissors, glue or tape, and a stapler.

This square is easily accomplished by folding regular printer paper - fold one corner down to the opposite side, creating a folded triangle. Then cut off excess. Fold again to create a smaller triangle, then mark 4 cutting lines (parallel to the long open edges) from the short edge with 2 folds almost across to the solid folded edge - but stop short by 1/2 inch. Leaving the triangle folded, cut on those lines BUT NOT all the way across. This process must be done for all 6 pages.

Open up your cut piece of paper slowly, as it is a little delicate at this point. Lay the paper flat. Fold the two most center slits together and glue or tape. Skip the second slit and glue or tape the points of the third slits together. Now leave the fourth and tape or glue the 5th slits together. At this point, turn your piece over and tape or glue the points of the 2nd slits together. Finally, tape or glue the points of the 4th slit together. This is 1/6th of your snowflake. Repeat this process for the remaining five pieces.

Use a stapler to staple one tip of all 6 pieces together. Then fan them out and tape or glue the edges of each piece where it touches the next piece. You are done! Here is a link for a great tutorial on how to make these snowflakes. Enjoy!

Laura C.
Smithville Branch