How to cut paper snowflakes with six points

Age: 6+ · Time: 30 min · For: Ages 6–9 Ages 10–12

Most paper snowflakes have four or eight points, but real snowflakes have six. With one extra fold, children can cut snowflakes that look just like the ones that fall from the sky, and no two will ever be the same.

Tips

Thin paper is easier to cut through all the layers.
Press flat under a heavy book for a few minutes after unfolding.
Save your patterns: draw the cuts on the folded paper first with a pencil.

Ideas

Window snowstorm: tape a whole flurry of snowflakes on the glass.
Garland: thread them on a long string.
Snowflake cards: glue one on dark blue card.

You need

white printer paper or thin paper, or white coffee filters
scissors, plus small pointed scissors for fine details (optional)
a pencil
a plate or large mug to draw a circle
tape or thread for hanging

Steps

Draw a circle on the paper around a plate and cut it out. (Coffee filters are already round.)
Fold the circle in half to make a semicircle.
Fold the semicircle into three equal parts, like a fan, so the edges overlap neatly and you get a narrow cone shape with a pointed tip. These are the six points.
Fold it in half once more along the length, so the cone is very narrow. Press all the folds flat.
Easy pattern: cut a few small triangles and half circles along both folded sides, and cut the top into a point.
Medium pattern: cut small zigzags along the edges, a little heart along one fold and a V-shape at the top.
Hard pattern: draw a fern or feather shape along one fold, with branches going out to the side, and cut it out with small scissors. Cut tiny holes with the tip of the scissors.
Unfold carefully, press flat under a heavy book, and hang it in the window.

Questions

Why six points?

Real snowflakes almost always have six points because of the way water freezes into ice crystals. That is why folding in three is the secret to realistic paper snowflakes.

My snowflake fell apart. Why?

You cut away too much along a fold. Leave plenty of paper connecting the parts, especially in the middle.