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How to fold paper for a snowflake
- Start with a square. Fold one corner of a sheet of printer paper down to the opposite edge and cut off the extra strip.
- Fold the square in half corner to corner to make a triangle. The middle of the long folded edge is the center of your snowflake.
- Fold into thirds around that center point: fold the right side over by one third, then the left side over it, so the edges line up into a narrow cone with a 60° point.
- Fold the cone in half lengthwise so the point gets narrower (30°), and trim the uneven top straight across. You now have a 12-layer wedge, the same shape as the template.
How to use the snowflake templates
- Pick a difficulty and how many designs you want. Change the design number to get different patterns.
- Print the templates on plain paper. Leave the unfolded preview on to see each finished snowflake.
- Cut out a template along its outline and line it up on your folded wedge: the "fold edge" side goes on the folded side, and the "center point" goes on the folded point.
- Trace the grey shapes with a pencil, or staple the template to the wedge.
- Cut away every grey part, then unfold slowly and press the snowflake flat under a book.
Templates are generated in your browser. Copy the link to print the same designs again.
Easy, medium and hard snowflakes
| Level | Cuts | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Easy | A few large notches and one hole | Young kids with safety scissors |
| Medium | More notches on both edges and two holes | Older kids and classrooms |
| Hard | Many small notches and holes | Teens and adults with sharp scissors |
Thin paper is easier to cut through all 12 layers. For hard designs, use printer paper or origami paper rather than card stock.
Paper snowflakes in the classroom
Paper snowflakes are a classic winter activity for kids. A few ideas for teachers and parents:
- Print easy templates for younger students and hard ones for older students, all from the same page.
- Pre-fold squares for small hands so they can focus on cutting.
- Talk about symmetry: every cut appears 12 times, which makes a good math discussion about lines of symmetry.
- Make a window display or string them into a garland across the room.
Tips for better paper snowflakes
- Crease every fold firmly with a fingernail so the layers stay lined up while you cut.
- Cut small holes first, then the edges, so the wedge stays stiff as long as possible.
- Don't cut all the way across the folded edge, or the snowflake falls apart.
- Use coffee filters for soft, easy-to-cut snowflakes; they are already round.
- Iron flat on low heat between two sheets of paper if the snowflake curls.
- Hang them on a window with a dot of tape or on thread from the ceiling.
More winter crafts: make a paper squishy or print gift tags to match.
Paper snowflake FAQ
How do you use a paper snowflake template?
Fold a square into a triangle, then into thirds and in half to make a 12-layer wedge. Line up the template's fold edge and center point with the folded paper, trace or staple it on, cut away the grey parts and unfold.
Why does a real snowflake have six sides?
Ice crystals grow in a six-sided pattern. Folding the paper into thirds and then in half gives six mirrored pairs, so the paper snowflake has six points too.
What paper is best for snowflakes?
Thin printer paper, origami paper or coffee filters. Card stock is too thick to cut through 12 layers.
Are the snowflake templates free?
Yes. Every template is free to print for home and classroom use with no account or watermark.
Can kids cut these snowflakes?
Yes. Easy templates have a few large cuts that children can manage with safety scissors, especially on thin paper. Supervise young children and let an adult pre-fold the paper.