Use any lightweight paper (printer paper works well), a pencil, and small sharp scissors.
Basic mini snowflake
- Cut a square
- Start with a rectangle (like A4 or letter) and fold one corner diagonally to meet the opposite edge.
- Cut off the extra strip so you have a triangle that opens into a square.
- Make a narrow folded wedge
- Fold the square in half diagonally to make a triangle.
- Fold that triangle in half again.
- Now imagine the triangle divided into three equal slices; fold one “third” over, then fold the other side over the top so you get a skinny wedge with multiple layers.
- Trim the tip
- Cut straight across the wide end (the multiple tips) so you’re left with a clean small triangle shape.
- The sharper the angle you cut, the pointier your snowflake arms will look.
- Cut the design
- Along the two long sides, snip out tiny triangles, curves, or half‑hearts.
- You can also take a tiny bit off the point if you want a hole in the center.
- Keep some paper connecting the edges so the snowflake does not fall apart when opened.
- Unfold and flatten
- Open the folds gently to reveal the snowflake.
- Flatten it under a heavy book (or briefly between two sheets of paper with a warm iron, no steam) to make it nice and flat.
Tips for making them small
- Use leftover strips and corners of paper to make tiny squares for mini snowflakes. One full sheet can give you several small ones.
- Thinner paper (like printer or parchment paper) is easier to cut into delicate tiny shapes than thick cardstock.
- For variety, change the angle of the tip cut and mix straight cuts, curves, and tiny “teeth” cuts so small snowflakes still look detailed.
