It’s snowing – inside! Learn how to fold and cut a scientifically correct snowflake, as you bring the winter indoors. This is a fun winter activity that all ages will enjoy.
Snowflakes are beautiful forms of frozen water that fall from the sky when it’s really cold. But because they are so fragile, they melt quickly around heat. No matter where you live, you can learn a little about snowflake geometry and bring snowflakes inside when you fold and cut your own snowflake decoration.
You can learn to fold and cut a scientifically correct snowflake two ways:
Fun Fact:
Start by laying your paper vertically. Fold the paper in half, bringing the bottom up until it touches the top (sometimes called a hamburger fold).
Bring the right side over until it touches the left, folding the paper in half the other direction.
You want to create a thin rectangle, with 8 sections. To do this, fold the paper in half two more times, bringing the right edge over until it touches the left edge both times.
Tips & Tricks:
Unfold your paper from steps 3 and 4 so you only have your original hamburger fold left. Make sure the folded edge is closest to you. The 7 fold lines will run vertically (up and down). We’ve labeled the lines here to help you see them better.
Fold the bottom right corner up so the bottom fold starts at line 4 and the corner matches up with line 2.
Take the bottom left corner and fold it up and to the right until it lines up with the right edge created in step 7.
Flip over and fold the paper in half so you can see your last fold.
Cut off the top, as shown, to create a simple triangle.
Tips & Tricks:
Keeping your paper folded, cut out various shapes, but be careful not to cut off the bottom tip! Try making large cuts, as this will make for a more dramatic looking snowflake.
Tips & Tricks:
When you are happy with the way you have cut your triangle, unfold to reveal a beautiful 6-sided snowflake!
Tips & Tricks:
