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How To Make Paper Snowflakes In 5 Minutes

Are you looking for a simple and clear tutorial for making paper snowflakes? Use either folding method to make simple paper snowflakes in under 5 minutes.

5 different paper snowflakes on blue background.

You would be amazed at the number of young children that have never made a paper snowflake. Not only is it super fun but it really works on those cutting skills. You can even incorporate math and science into a paper snowflake.

I used to think that I couldn’t make paper snowflakes in an Art class, but soon realized it was a missing experience that kids need.

How many sides are on a real snowflake?

In nature, snowflakes are 6-sided. This folding technique will teach you how to make a snowflake that has a base shape of a hexagon.

Here is also a tutorial about how to draw easy snowflakes if you want to continue with your snowflake-making.

Recommended Supplies

  • Scissors
  • Copy Paper (or thin paper)
8. 5" x 11" copy paper and scissors.

How To Cut A Simple Snowflake

Before You Begin

Make a square. If starting with a rectangle, simply fold the corner to the edge and trim off the excess paper.

two images of folding white paper and cutting extra to make a square.

Step 1: Fold The Square In Half Into Triangles

Pull the bottom corner up to the top corner and crease your paper.

hand holding folding triangle paper.

Step 2: Fold The Triangle In Half Again

hand folding paper triangle for paper snowflake.

Step 3: Fold One Side 1/3 Of The Way In

hand folding white paper triangle half way.

Step 4: Repeat For The Other Side

You may need to adjust the folds to line up together. You can see that this one doesn’t line up perfectly, but it still works. Just have fun with your designs.

hand pushing down white folded paper into skinny triangle.

Step 5: Trim Off Extra Paper

Turn the paper over so that you can see the extra paper to cut off.

hand holding scissors trimming off extra paper on folded triangle.

Step 6: Cut Designs

These can be as complex or as simple as you want. Just be careful not to cut a whole folded seam off.

hand holding folded triangle paper with some cuts made.

Continue cutting designs.

hand holding folded cut paper snowflake.

Step 7: Open Up

If you want to get rid of creases or flatten your paper snowflake you could stick them flat in a book overnight or try to iron them on very low heat to help get rid of the creases.

easy paper snowflake on table.

Once you have your paper snowflake consider using one as a template for this fun kid line snowflake drawing. We love when you can get two projects out of one idea.

Snowflake Design Ideas

Here you can see how if you cut different designs and the outcome you may get.

4 snowflake designs with text paper snowflake designs on blue background.

Tips

  • If children are struggling to cut the folded paper, encourage them to use the inside alligator mouth of the scissors. A lot of time children will try to just use the tip of the scissors and they become frustrated.
  • Try to do these in a small group with step-by-step instructions.
  • After step-by-step help, let children get multiple attempts on their own and encourage mistakes. Mistakes are part of learning.
  • Children can draw designs first on folded paper, but it might actually make it harder. This particular craft is better if you just “draw” with scissors first.

Craft FAQs

How to cut a simple snowflake for kindergartners?

Instead of folding it in thirds, we will just fold the triangle again so that it is a right triangle. The children still love the paper snowflake designs that they are able to create. You just have to make sure they do not cut where the paper is folded together. You can also draw the line they have to cut first so that they do not accidentally cut all the way across their snowflakes.line drawn on top of paper triangle for snowflake.

What if I want to make a more advanced snowflake?

You need to cut more shapes carefully. The challenge is to make sure that your paper does not rip while making your cuts.

Can you make a 4 or 8-sided snowflake?

Yes, even though in nature snowflakes are 6-sided, creating symmetrical 4 or 8-sided snowflakes can be a fun project. 4-sided snowflakes may be easier for the youngest children to do as the 6-sided folding can be a little tricky for young hands.

Follow us on Pinterest, Facebook and YouTube for more free art and craft ideas!

5 different paper snowflakes on blue background.

How To Make A Paper Snowflake In 5 Minutes

Learn how to cut an easy paper snowflake.
Print Pin Rate
Keyword: easy paper snowflake, how to make a paper snowflake in 5 minutes
Active Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Author: Erin
Cost: under $2

Equipment

  • 1 Pair Of Scissors

Materials

  • Paper You can use any size as long as you make it a square to start.

Instructions

Before You Begin

  • Make paper square by folding the corner and cutting excess off.

How To Fold 6-sided Snowflake

  • Fold one corner of the square across to the other corner to make a paper traingle.
  • Fold the triangle again to make a smaller right triangle.
  • Fold one side of the corner 1/3 of the way in.
  • Repeat on the other side.
  • Flip your folded paper over and cut off excess paper.

Cut Snowflake Design

  • Begin to cut designs out of your folded paper. Be careful not to cut a whole folded seam or your snowflake will fall apart.

Notes

  • If children are struggling to cut the folded paper, encourage them to use the inside alligator mouth of the scissors. A lot of time children will try to just use the tip of the scissors and they become frustrated.
  • Try to do these in a small group with step-by-step instructions.
  • After step-by-step help, let children get multiple attempts on their own and encourage mistakes. Mistakes are part of learning.
  • Children can draw designs first on folded paper, but it might actually make it harder. This particular craft is better if you just “draw” with scissors first.

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