Whether or not you live in an area that receives winter snowfall, thoughts of those white crystals falling from the sky can capture the imagination of kids from one to ninety. When they arrive in massive quantities, they wreak havoc causing travel delays and driving challenges. But viewed singularly (at high magnification), each snowflake is a unique and beautiful creation of nature. It has been long said that every snowflake is unique—each crystal a varied mix of geometric forms. That geometry lends itself to a simple craft project that enables any child to make his or her own personal snowflake using simple materials and little more than a few imaginative clips with a pair of scissors. When project is complete, a magical moment of unfolding reveals a paper snowflake replica that has been transformed from an odd-looking piece of folded paper to a child's masterpiece.
What you will need:
- Piece of white paper
- Child-safe scissors
- Hole punch
- Length of string or yarn
- Disposable foam brush (optional)
- Craft glue or glue stick (optional)
- Glitter (optional)
- Newspaper (to ease cleanup when decorating)
To make the snowflake, start with a square piece of paper. Any size paper will work, but larger paper may make it easier for children to cut their designs. Take one corner of the paper and fold it to the opposite corner, forming a triangle. Fold that triangle in half again, forming another, smaller, triangle. Using safety scissors, make triangular cuts (both large and small) around the sides of the folded paper. Be careful not to cut completely across the paper from one side to the other or you will cut the snowflake into pieces. Be sure to leave a reasonable amount of paper between adjoining cuts so the resulting shapes will be clearly defined when they are unfolded. Your child can make as many cuts as he or she wants. The more cuts that are made in the paper, the more delicate the snowflake will be so be careful when unfolding and handling snowflakes with numerous cuts.
Now it's time for your child to make some magic. It's fun to see how such simple snipping through multiple layers of paper can result in such an intricate design. Carefully unfold the paper to reveal what the cuts have done to the folded paper—you've made a snowflake! If the end result isn't satisfactory, simply make another one!
Once the snowflake has been created, it can be decorated with glitter. Before decorating the snowflake, cover the work surface with a layer of newspaper (this will help catch any stray glue or glitter and will help make cleanup much easier). Using a glue stick or craft glue and a brush, apply a light coat of glue to one side of the snowflake. You may want to work in small areas so the glue stays wet and gives the glitter a better chance to adhere to the paper. Once the glue is applied, sprinkle the area with glitter to cover it completely. Gently lift the snowflake and tap it to release any loose glitter. Repeat the process until the surface of the snowflake is covered. Any excess glitter on the newspaper can be returned to the container and saved for another snowflake or a future project. Allow the snowflake to dry thoroughly.
When the snowflake is complete, you may want to hang it in a window or in some other location in your home. Using a hole punch, simple make a hole in the edge of the snowflake (keeping as far away from the edge of the paper as possible to avoid tearing). Insert a length of string, yarn, or nylon line through the hole and gently secure it with a knot. Then simply hang the snowflake in a window and enjoy your child's unique reminder of winter!
