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Three dimensional paper snowflakes look beautiful hanging in a window or on a wall. Fun for kids or adults, they are easy to make. Some like them for Christmas, but you may like them any time!

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EditSteps

  1. Make a 3D Paper Snowflake Step 1 Version 5.jpg
    1
    Gather materials. You'll need six pieces of paper (white copy paper will do, although you can use more elaborate types), scissors, clear tape and a stapler.
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  2. Make a 3D Paper Snowflake Step 2 Version 5.jpg
    2
    Fold each of the six pieces of paper in half, diagonally. If the paper you are using does not make a perfect triangle, cut off the rectangular edge that sticks out and make it align perfectly. You should end up with a square folded into a triangle. Fold the triangle in half, noting where the folded "bottom" of the triangle is.
  3. Make a 3D Paper Snowflake Step 3 Version 5.jpg
    3
    Cut three lines in the triangle. Position the scissors along the bottom fold, and parallel to one of the edges going up to the top (your cuts should be somewhat diagonal). Cut almost all the way up to one of the side edges, but not quite. Keep about the same distance between each cut. (This might not be suitable for thicker paper, since the number of layers makes it difficult to cut through.) When you unfold the triangle into a larger triangle, it should look like the photo at right.
  4. Make a 3D Paper Snowflake Step 4 Version 5.jpg
    4
    Unfold the triangle again. Turn it so that one of the points of the square faces you. It should look like the picture.
  5. Make a 3D Paper Snowflake Step 5 Version 5.jpg
    5
    Keeping your paper diamond side-up, roll the first two innermost paper lines together to form a tube. Tape these two pieces together. You should see triangle shapes on each side of the roll.
  6. Make a 3D Paper Snowflake Step 6 Version 5.jpg
    6
    Turn the diamond over to the other side. Take the next two paper lines and pull them together on the opposite side of the tube and tape together as before. This will be a more rounded shape and wider than the first tube.
  7. Make a 3D Paper Snowflake Step 7 Version 5.jpg
    7
    Keep turning the paper and joining the paper lines together on opposite side in the same fashion until all paper lines have been joined.
  8. Make a 3D Paper Snowflake Step 8 Version 5.jpg
    8
    Repeat Steps 3 - 7 with the remaining 5 pieces of paper.
  9. Make a 3D Paper Snowflake Step 9 Version 5.jpg
    9
    Join 3 of the completed rolled pieces together at one end and staple together using the other hand. Do the other 3 pieces the same way. Now you will have 2 pieces consisting of 3 strands or "arms" each. (For smaller snowflakes, it may be easier to use double-sided tape or white glue in place of staples.)
  10. Make a 3D Paper Snowflake Step 10 Version 5.jpg
    10
    Staple the two new pieces together in the middle.
  11. Make a 3D Paper Snowflake Step 11 Version 5.jpg
    11
    Staple where each of the six arms meet. This ensures that the snowflake shape is pulled into place. See picture at top for the finished snowflake.
  12. Make a 3D Paper Snowflake Step 12 Version 3.jpg
    12
    Finished.
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EditTips

  • If you want to "jazz up" your snowflakes, put liquid glitter on the snowflake along various parts of the paper lines. Just remember though, that these do not store very well (easily crushed) and you might be throwing them out.
  • If you want a "perfect" snowflake, make sure the lines you cut are identical for each square.
  • Work slow and steady. Rushing is likely to lead to a ruined snowflake, or your hands being cut up by scissors.
  • You can also place these snowflakes on lollipop sticks to make a pinwheel.
  • If you want larger snowflakes, use larger paper. You will probably need to cut more lines though; work it out from how large your piece of paper is. Don't try enlarging your snowflakes until you are comfortable with the method of making them with the suggested paper size first.
  • You can vary the paper color if you want to match a Christmas color theme - red or green for instance. Those left over bits of holiday wrapping paper also work very well - just keep in mind that one side of the paper will be plain white while the other side will be colorful. You can also use tinfoil or glitter paper.
  • See "Sources and Citations" below for 2-dimensional snowflake patterns suitable for younger kids (and the impatient).
  • For those who are making a smaller snowflake, it's easier to use a toothpick.
  • If you want a more appealing look use glue dots, or glue sticks. Find these at arts/ crafts stores

EditThings You'll Need

  • Six pieces of paper, any kind should do. The size of your paper square can vary from 4" to 10" (10cm - 25cm). The paper should be of a good strength to hold up the snowflake structure.
  • Scissors
  • Tape (Or Glue)
  • Stapler

EditRelated wikiHows

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EditSources and Citations

  • Acknowledgment: Thanks to LizMarie's Make a Snowflake photos on Flickr for the majority of the photos displayed here & for additional ideas for improving the instructions.

Article Info

Featured Article

Categories: Featured Articles | Paper Craft

In other languages:

Español: Cómo hacer un copo de nieve de papel en 3D, Português: Como Criar um Floco de Neve 3D Feito de Papel, Nederlands: een 3D sneeuwvlok van papier maken, Italiano: Come Realizzare un Fiocco di Neve in 3D, Deutsch: Wie man eine 3D Schneeflocke aus Papier bastelt, Русский: сделать 3D снежинку, 中文: 做3D立体纸雪花, Français: Comment faire un flocon de neige en 3D en papier, Bahasa Indonesia: Membuat Kepingan Salju 3D dari Kertas

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