For how to fold paper for snowflakes, start with a square, fold into sixths, then trim shapes before unfolding for a six-point design.
Paper snowflakes look delicate, yet they’re easy once you know the folds. This guide packs clear steps and tweaks so every cut opens into balanced points. You’ll also see why six points matter and how to plan airy patterns.
How to Fold Paper for Snowflakes: Step-By-Step
You’ll need a sheet of paper, pencil, and scissors. Start with a square. If you have letter paper, fold one top corner down to the opposite edge to form a triangle and trim the strip. Keep folds crisp by running a thumb nail along each crease.
Square The Paper
- Lay the paper flat. Bring the top left corner to the right edge to form a triangle.
- Trim the bottom strip. Open to check the square, then refold along the diagonal.
Fold To A Triangle
- With the square on the table, fold corner to corner to make a large triangle.
- Fold the triangle in half to make a smaller triangle. The sharp point will become the center.
Fold Into Thirds (Sixths Overall)
This is the secret to six points. Visualize the triangle split into three skinny wedges. Swing one wedge across the front, then swing the other over the back, matching edges. You now have a cone-shape spear with two flaps at the top. Snip the top flush so the layers line up.
Mark, Cut, And Unfold
- Draw a gentle arc across the base for the outer rim. A deeper arc yields longer points.
- Add small triangles, teardrops, or diamonds along both edges. Keep tiny bridges of paper so the shape holds.
- Cut the shapes. Open slowly to reveal the snowflake.
Paper Choices, Tools, And Cut Ideas
Good folds start with suitable paper. Printer sheets work for beginners. Tissue gives lace-like results but needs light pressure. Parchment holds thin bridges well. Sharp scissors help; a craft knife is handy for interior cuts.
| Paper Type | Pros | Watch-Outs |
|---|---|---|
| Standard printer (70–90 gsm) | Cheap, easy to crease | Edges can look chunky on tiny cuts |
| Tissue | Feathery look, dramatic openings | Tears if handled roughly |
| Baking parchment | Strong, resists moisture | Slips on smooth tables |
| Origami paper | Square out of the pack, many colors | Small sheets limit large patterns |
| Wrapping paper | Colorful, festive prints | Ink cracks at tight folds |
| Thin handmade | Texture adds charm | Fibers snag dull blades |
| Copy paper dyed with watercolor | Custom tones, layered depth | Let it dry flat to avoid waves |
| Paper doilies | Instant lace base | Limited room for extra cuts |
Why Six Points Matter
Real snow crystals show sixfold symmetry because ice forms a hexagonal lattice. Six corners mean six arms, so thirds give six points. Read more in the NOAA page on snowflake growth and the Caltech Guide to Snowflakes.
Folding Paper For Snowflakes — Six-Point Method Explained
This section breaks the fold angles and checkpoints into a clean checklist so your pattern stays even. Stick to the order and you’ll get a neat, round snowflake every time.
Angle Targets
When you fold the triangle into thirds, each wedge is near 30°. The stack ends up as a slim spear with a 60° tip. That geometry is what gives six points once opened. No protractor needed; if a fold looks wide, nudge it so edges meet.
Layout Tips Before You Cut
- Keep the point clean. That point is the center; tiny cuts near it make delicate hubs.
- Let shapes climb along the two long edges. Repeated motifs read well when opened.
- Alternate small and larger bites to avoid thin rims.
- Leave bridges of at least 2–3 mm on thin papers; 4–5 mm on heavier sheets.
- Test one practice sheet to learn how your scissors behave on stacked layers.
Classic Motifs That Always Work
Try a set of three: a notch near the tip, a diamond mid-edge, and a larger triangle near the base. Add a shallow scallop across the base for a rounded rim or a steep V for long starry points. Keep cuts smooth; jagged snips show when opened.
Pattern Planning For Balanced Designs
Balance empty space and structure. Think in three bands: center, arms, and rim. Let one motif repeat per band. If one band turns busy, keep the others simple.
Center Band
Small piercings near the point create bright sparkle. Punch a tiny circle with the tip of the scissors or a single slit for a starry hub.
Arm Band
Use teardrops or diamonds that step outward. A pair of mirrored cuts makes feathered arms. Keep spacing even so the pattern repeats cleanly across all six wedges.
Rim Band
The outer arc anchors everything. A soft arc makes a round snowflake; a sharp V makes tall spikes. If you add deep bites near the rim, leave thicker bridges near the arm band so the sheet stays strong while opening.
Snowflake Folding With Kids
Kids love the surprise reveal. Pre-draw the base arc and two safe shapes, then let them add one or two small nips. Blunt scissors help with control. Use tissue for big drama with minimal cutting force.
Classroom-Safe Setup
- Pre-cut squares.
- Give each child a labeled envelope for keeping finished flakes flat.
Troubleshooting: Clean Folds And Crisp Points
Even folds fix most problems. If edges don’t meet, refold and align from the point outward. If the rim looks ragged, trim a fresh arc before opening. If a bridge tears, add a tiny tape tab on the back once opened.
| Problem | Likely Cause | Quick Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Uneven points | Thirds off by a lot | Refold, stack edges, re-crease |
| Tears at the tip | Too many tiny cuts near center | Leave a small solid hub |
| Holes collapse | Bridges too thin | Widen bridges on next sheet |
| Bulky look | Paper too thick | Switch to lighter sheet |
| Rim frays | Dull scissors | Sharpen or use a cleaner pair |
| Design feels heavy | Too many large bites | Add small piercings to lighten |
| Won’t open cleanly | Cuts don’t meet | Trim tiny gaps while still folded |
| Points curl | Moist hands or humid room | Press under a book for a few minutes |
Creative Variations After You Master The Base Fold
Once the six-point method feels natural, try tweaks that keep the fold math intact.
Eight-Point Style
Start from a square, fold to a triangle, fold in half again, and once more for four equal wedges. Cut with symmetry and you’ll open an eight-point star that shines in windows.
Lace Layering
Stack two flakes cut from different papers. Mount the lighter one on top with tiny glue dots at the center for depth.
When To Use A Knife
A craft knife shines for tiny windows and slender slits near the center. Place the folded spear on a cutting mat, hold the stack firmly, and pull the blade toward you in short strokes. Keep cuts shallow so layers don’t shift.
Design Ideas Inspired By Real Crystals
Nature offers a handy workbook. Stellar dendrites, plates, and columns suggest line paths you can trace on folded edges. For plate-like looks, keep the rim round and add small windows. See the Caltech Guide to Snowflakes for clear silhouettes to copy.
Map Lines Before You Cut
Sketch three guide dots on each long edge of the folded spear—near the tip, mid-edge, and nearer the base. Connect them with soft pencil lines. When you repeat that trio on the other edge, the openings will meet cleanly across the fold when you unfold, which keeps the pattern steady.
Vary The Rim
A gentle arc yields a round flake. A tight zigzag rim makes icy teeth. A scalloped rim can feel vintage. Pick one rim shape and keep interior cuts simpler so the eye has a place to rest.
Templates Versus Freehand
Printed templates help with groups. Freehand builds feel for mirrored shapes. Mix both: mark thirds and a base arc, then repeat a simple “small-large-small” rhythm.
When To Use A Knife
A craft knife shines for tiny windows and slender slits near the center. Place the folded spear on a cutting mat, hold the stack firmly, and pull the blade toward you in short strokes. Keep cuts shallow so layers don’t shift.
Caring For Finished Snowflakes
Press fresh flakes under a book for a short time to flatten. Mount them on thread with a needle through the hub or use a tiny loop of clear tape. Store between wax paper sheets in a file folder so they stay crisp until next season.
How to Fold Paper for Snowflakes: Quick Reference
Core Steps
- Make a square. Fold corner to edge, trim.
- Fold square into a triangle.
- Fold triangle in half.
- Fold into thirds for six layers; trim top.
- Sketch rim and edge shapes.
- Cut, open, press flat.
Safety And Setup
- Cut on a clear surface. Keep fingers away from the blade path.
- Use a cutting mat and a craft knife for interior shapes.
- Clear scraps often so layers don’t shift.
That fold opens elegant paper lace every time. When someone asks how to fold paper for snowflakes, share the triangle-into-thirds method and bridge sizes above. With a square, clean creases, and patient cuts, a bright, balanced flake awaits.