How to make paper snowflakes and create all beautiful and intricate types of snowflake structures. Discover nature's perfect snowflake designs with these free paper snowflake pattern Instructions for folding and cutting.
Make a paper snowflake in less than 10 easy steps and create a strong family tradition in the process.
Click on the thumbnail below to view and print instructions for 8 1/2" x 11" paper size. Use these instructions for all regular sized patterns (including Paper Chrismon Snowflakes).
(One pattern per regular size page)
(Yields 4 mini patterns per regular size page)
Fiskars snippers work best according to the Snowflake Lady!Additional Information which may be useful: Some of the patterns in Paper Snowflake Patterns for Children! are too intricate for large or regular size scissors. A few patterns are probably impossible to cut out but are useful to artists and students for etching glass and other art projects. The more intricate designs are here for advanced and expert skill levels, people who enjoy a good challenge and can use extra sharp razor knives or tiny cuticle scissors to make the finer cuts.
Note: Some browsers reduce the size of the printable pattern for faster viewing. If this happens, just save the graphic to your PC and print through your graphics program. (Please do not alter or share these copyrighted graphics electronically.)
Get handy with the scissors and make perfect paper snowflakes with these easy-to-follow instructions.
Print a pattern and trim off the directions so that you have a completely square piece of paper.
The best scissors to use are ones with long handles and short blades that meet exactly at the point. Skilled adults or older children may want to use sharper scissors or cuticle scissors for those teensy, weensy cuts. Don't use dull scissors unless you want ragged edges on your snowflake, in which case pinking shears or other specialty scissors might be better choices.
Always have a trash basket close by for your discards.
Don't worry about mistakes because every snowflake is different and yours will be unique as well.
After you have folded and cut your design, carefully unfold your paper snowflake.
As you unfold each crease, bend the fold in the opposite direction to neutralize the crease. This way your snowflake will unfold more easily and display flatter.
To display your snowflake design, check the ideas page.
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Many of our snowflake designs were patterned using photographs of actual snow crystals recorded by Snowflake Bentley and published in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration web site.