How to make paper snowflakes with children
Updated 30 October 2026 · By Rob and Chris, two Sheffield dads, and our families
Fold a square of thin paper into a triangle, fold it in half again, then cut small shapes along the open edges. Unfold it slowly to find a four-way snowflake, ready to stick in a window.
This is the simpler four-way fold. Six-pointed snowflakes need the paper folded into thirds, which is fiddly for small hands, so start here.
- Time: about 15 minutes
- Ages: 3 and up, with a part for each age
- In the Famoo calendar as: Paper snowflake laboratory
What do you need?
- A square of thin paper for each person
- A pencil
- Scissors, with a grown-up helping
How do you do it?
- Make a triangle. Fold the square corner to corner to make a triangle. Press the fold flat.
- Fold again. Fold the triangle in half to make a smaller triangle. Keep the folded edges together.
- Draw small shapes. Draw a few small triangles or curves along the open edges. Leave plenty of paper between them so it all stays joined.
- Cut with help. A grown-up helps cut out the shapes. Do not cut right across the folded edge or cut off the centre point.
- Open it up. Unfold it slowly, flatten it and compare snowflakes. Choose a window or wall to show them off.
How can each age join in?
- Ages 3 to 5. A grown-up folds the paper first and draws two or three simple shapes. You help cut them out.
- Ages 6 to 9. Draw your own shapes, then check the snowflake looks the same on every side when you open it.
- Ages 10 and up. Design your own four-way pattern with smaller shapes closer together.
Tip
If a snowflake falls apart when you open it, a cut went across the folded edge. Fold a new square and leave a wider strip uncut along that side.
Keeping it safe
A grown-up does the cutting with younger children, or stays close while older children cut.
Plan 24 of these into your family’s Advent calendar with Famoo
Famoo has 46 activities like this one, each with picture steps, an elf helper who reads every step aloud, and a part for each age so brothers and sisters can do it together. Join the beta, choose your 24, and a new door opens each day in December.
Famoo is a family app for UK homes, in beta, so things may change. Find out more about Famoo.
