In this project, learn an easy way to make snowflakes from tissue paper. With this technique, you can make a whole flurry of snowflakes in a hurry, and no two snowflakes will be the same! Using tissue paper makes cutting through many layers easier, but you can use any lightweight paper you like.
This project is great for family, classroom or group craft time. It requires no patterns and uses simple materials.
Related project: See another way to make snowflakes and learn more about snowflakes in the Symmetry in Snowflakes craft project.
Pre-cut 5" to 10" strips of tissue paper along the width or length of the tissue paper sheet. The width of the strip determines the size of the final snowflakes. Use any colors of tissue paper you like. Straight sides and square corners are important!
Cutting paper snowflakes depends upon starting with a perfect square. Starting at one end of the strip, fold the top corner over to meet the opposite side. This forms a folded triangle and is the first fold for your snowflake. Cut it away from the strip along its vertical edge. If you open the folded triangle, a perfect square is revealed.
Continue cutting squares from the strip until you reach the end.
Tip: Any extra tissue paper at the end of the strip can be saved to use in other crafts.
Start with the square folded in a triangle. Fold the triangle in half again, then fold it in thirds. To fold in thirds, fold one side over, then fold the other side over on top of it. The edges should match.
Tip: Folding in thirds is a bit of trial and error. That is: adjust the first fold, as needed, to get even thirds.
Tip: If folding thirds is too much trouble, just fold the triangle in half again, and then in half again. You'll get 16-point snowflakes instead of 12-point snowflakes. Not quite like Mother Nature, but still plenty of fun!
Cut the uneven points off the top. Now you'll make V-shaped snips to create your snowflake.
Cut a V-shape in the top. Cut from the top corners or from along one side or the other
Cut the tip away at any angle you like.
Cut more V-shapes along the folded sides.
Carefully unfold the tissue paper to reveal your snowflake!
Tip: Make the V-shaped snips any size and shape you like—make them big or small, shallow or deep, even or lopsided.
Tip: For other simple ways to cut a snowflake, checkout the Med/Sm Cutting Patterns in the Symmetry in Snowflakes craft project.
That's it! Now make a whole
flurry of paper
snowflakes!
Tip: Your paper snowflakes can be small or large, simple or complex.
Tip: Vary your V-shape cuts for different looks. Use white or colored tissue paper to make paper snowflakes.
Tip: One advantage of using tissue paper is that you can punch patterns in the folded paper snowflake. You can also use patterned paper printed from your computer to make fancy snowflakes.
