Six finished 3D paper snowflakes grouped together as hanging Christmas ornaments

Every December I dig a stash of leftover craft paper out of a drawer and spend an evening folding a batch of 3D paper snowflakes, because they’re the one Christmas decoration I never get tired of making. Six folded paper points glued into a single ornament, no printable template required, just square paper, scissors, and craft glue.

One snowflake runs about 30 to 40 minutes once you know the fold, and costs roughly $0.20 in paper if you buy a craft-paper multipack, or nothing at all if you’re using paper you already have at home. That makes it an easy one to batch: fold a dozen over a weekend and you’ve got enough for the tree, a garland, and a few to hang from the ceiling.

These join the rest of my yearly Christmas craft lineup, and if folded paper is your thing beyond snowflakes, my full 3D paper crafts collection has more projects built the same way.

3D Paper Snowflake at a Glance

  • Difficulty: Beginner
  • Time: 30-40 minutes per snowflake
  • Cost: About $0.20 per snowflake
  • Ages: 8+ with adult help for cutting
  • Best for: Christmas tree ornaments, hanging garlands, gift topper accents
A single 3D paper snowflake ornament shown close up against a plain background

What You Need to Make a 3D Paper Snowflake

Materials

  • Six-inch square craft or origami paper, six sheets per snowflake, one for each point. Lightweight paper in the 70-90 gsm range folds and creases the cleanest; cardstock is too stiff at this scale.
  • Craft glue, a proper liquid glue rather than a glue stick, so the overlapped points hold tight while they dry.

Tools

  • Scissors, sharp enough to cut six clean slits without tearing the paper.

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Watch How to Make 3D Paper Snowflakes

The video walks through the same six-point fold shown in the photos below, start to finish, if you’d rather watch it once before picking up paper.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Cut Six Square Sheets

Six square sheets of craft paper cut and stacked, ready to fold into one 3D paper snowflake

Cut six identical squares from your craft paper, same size for all six since a mismatched square throws the finished shape off-center. If you don’t have pre-cut square paper, trace a square with a ruler and pencil before cutting. One snowflake needs exactly six squares, one per point.

Step 2: Fold Diagonally and Cut the Base Slits

A square sheet folded diagonally in half with six evenly spaced slits cut from the open edge

Take one square and fold it in half diagonally, corner to corner. Cut six slits along the open side, spaced as evenly as you can by eye. Stop each cut about a centimeter short of the folded edge; if a slit goes all the way through, that strip falls off and you’re down a point.

Number the six slits by length in your head, from shortest (nearest the point) to longest (nearest the open edge). You’ll work through them in that order for the next several steps.

Step 3: Form the First Point (Slit 1)

Folding the shortest slit's edge inward to start the pointed tip of the snowflake pattern

Unfold the paper. Starting with slit 1, the shortest one, use your fingertip to curl its inner edge inward and hold the outer edge pointy rather than rounded. This is the fussiest fold of the whole project because the paper wants to spring back flat; a light crease with your fingernail helps it hold.

Step 4: Glue the First Point Closed

Gluing the overlapped edges of the shortest slit together to lock in the pattern's pointed tip

Fold the other side of slit 1 in the same way, overlapping it slightly over the first side. Dab glue on the overlap and press the two sides together to lock in the point. Hold it for a few seconds rather than letting go right away; paper this light tends to spring back open before the glue grabs.

Step 5: Flip the Pattern Over

Flipping the folded paper pattern over to work the next slit from the other side

Flip the whole pattern over to its other face before moving to slit 2. Every point in this pattern gets formed from alternating sides, so this flip repeats before each new point from here on.

Step 6: Form the Second Point (Slit 2)

Joining the open ends of the second slit to form the next upward-facing point

Bring the two open ends of slit 2 inward and glue them together the same way, overlapping edges, dab of glue, hold until it sets. This point should angle slightly upward from the first one rather than sitting flat against it.

Step 7: Repeat the Flip-and-Glue for Slits 3 to 6

Continuing to flip and join each remaining slit to build out the paper pattern

From here it’s the same two moves on repeat: flip the pattern, glue the next slit’s open ends together, flip again, glue the next one. Work through slits 3, 4, 5, and 6 in that order. By slit 4 or so you’ll stop needing to think about it; the fold becomes automatic once your hands know the rhythm.

Step 8: Check the Completed Pattern

The completed six-point paper pattern viewed from the side after all slits are joined

Once all six slits are joined, look at the pattern from the side. It should step upward like a small staircase of points, not lie flat. If a point or two sits loose, add a touch more glue now rather than later, once the rest of the snowflake is built around it.

Step 9: Fold and Glue Five More Patterns

Six identical folded paper patterns lined up, ready to be joined into one snowflake

Repeat steps 2 through 8 on your remaining five squares. You need six finished patterns total to build one snowflake. This is the slow part; letting each pattern’s glue set for a minute before you move on to gluing the next one saves you from smudging a point you just closed.

Step 10: Glue the First Two Patterns Together

Gluing two folded paper patterns together along their wide edges to begin assembling the snowflake

Take any two patterns and glue them together along their wide, open edges. A drop of glue on one edge is enough; press the second pattern over it and hold for a few seconds.

Step 11: Join the Rest of the Patterns Into a Circle

All six paper patterns glued together edge to edge, forming the center of the 3D paper snowflake

Glue the remaining four patterns on one at a time, same wide-edge-to-wide-edge join, working your way around until the last pattern glues back to the first one and closes the circle. Where all six patterns meet becomes the center of the finished snowflake.

Step 12: Let the Glue Dry Fully

The finished 3D paper snowflake standing on its own after the glue has dried

Set the finished snowflake down and leave it alone until the glue is fully dry, not just tacky. Pick it up too soon and a point can pop loose right where you just glued it. Once it’s dry, it holds its shape well enough to hang or pack away for next year.

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Tips for 3D Paper Snowflakes

  • Craft a 5-point snowflake instead of 6 for a different look: cut five squares instead of six and follow the same folds.
  • If you’re making a batch for the tree, start several patterns at once so each one’s glue has time to set while you work on the next.
  • Mix in a few metallic or patterned sheets with plain white paper across a batch; it keeps a garland or full tree from looking too uniform.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a printable template to make a 3D paper snowflake?

No, this project doesn’t use a printable template or PDF pattern. All you need is six identical paper squares, cut to whatever size you want the finished snowflake to be; a ruler and pencil to trace the square is the only “template” involved.

What kind of paper works best for 3D paper snowflakes?

Lightweight craft or origami paper in the 70-90 gsm range folds and holds a crease the best for this project. Cardstock is too stiff to fold cleanly at this small scale, and plain printer paper works in a pinch but flops a little more than the finished shape wants.

How long does it take to make one 3D paper snowflake?

One snowflake takes about 30 to 40 minutes from cutting the six squares to gluing on the last point, once you know the fold. Your very first one will likely run longer while you get used to the slit pattern.

Can I make a bigger or smaller 3D paper snowflake?

Yes, just change the size of your six starting squares. A 3-inch square makes a small ornament-sized snowflake for the tree, while a 10 or 12-inch square scales up to a statement piece for hanging from the ceiling.

Why won’t my 3D paper snowflake hold its shape?

This almost always comes down to pressing the joined points flat while the glue is still wet. Let each pattern’s glue set without any weight or pressure on it, and use a proper liquid craft glue rather than a glue stick, which doesn’t hold the overlapped paper tightly enough to keep the 3D shape.

More Paper Crafts Tutorials

Craft up a full set for the tree, then look through the rest of the paper crafts collection for more like these:

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