Folded Star

From a square sheet of paper, you can make a folded star. The star pictured is made from one sheet of 32 lb. paper and a piece of aluminum foil that is slightly larger than the paper. I cut the paper to square, then glued the dull side of the foil to the paper. I used *rubber cement.

* If you use rubber cement, please read the warning label first.

Materials

Foil-backed paper (wrapping paper or homemade)
Scissors
Ruler to make the paper square (or use fold techniques to make the square)
Ribbon
Glue

Step One:

Cut the paper into a square. A square that is 8.5 " x 8.5 " will yield a 8.5" x 7" star.

Find the center of the paper. If you want this to be educational, have your children find the center. It can be done several ways, here are two:

1. Fold the paper in half both ways (either side to side or corner to corner). The place where the lines intersect is the center.

2. Lay a ruler from corner to corner and make a very pale line at around the center area. Lay the ruler across the other two corners (corner to corner) and draw a faint line that intersects the first faint line. Where these two lines cross is the center.

Step Two:

Fold the paper.

Bring each corner to the middle of the square and fold the paper. Press each fold well.

Step Three:

Fold the paper in half from left to right. Press the fold well.

Step Four:

Fold the paper in half from top to bottom. Press the fold well.

Step Five:

Holding the corners near the bottom, push in the direction of the arrows so that the paper forms a small square.

Step Six:

Fold the flaps firmly, then open the flaps and fold the other flaps firmly.

Step Seven:

Fold the flaps up toward the middle of the square.

Step Eight:

Turn the paper over and fold the other two flaps up in the same manner.

Step Nine:

Fold the top down, press firmly.

Step Ten:

Open the three flaps that were just folded in this step.

Step Eleven:

Hold the bottom corner and gently pull the corner on the other side up.

Step Twelve:

The flaps that were previously folded in one direction will now need to be folded in the other direction so that the star will lay flat as shown in the photograph.

Note: There will be an image showing the refolding in step 15.

Step Thirteen:

Turn the star over.

Open the flaps as shown in the photograph.

Hold the bottom corner and pull the back of the star up.

Step Fourteen:

This photograph shows the back of the star being pulled up.

Notice the flaps that will need to be refolded in the other direction.

Step Fifteen:

This photograph shows the side on the right being refolded.

Step Sixteen:

This photograph shows that both flaps have been refolded. Press on all of the folds.

Step Seventeen:

Fold the top down.

Step Eighteen:

Fold the top flap down, then back up.

Take hold of the two points that are inside the star. Pull out gently.

Step Nineteen:

This photograph shows the star partially pulled into shape

Step Twenty:

This photograph shows the star almost pulled to shape.

Step Twenty-one:

This photograph shows the star pulled into shape.

Make any adjustments to the star.

Optional: String a ribbon or thread through the fold near the upper tip of the star to make a hanging loop.

Optional: Add a dab of glue to the points in the middle of the star to keep them in place.

Notes

Folded Stars

The star has depth.

The photograph above shows the foil side of the star.

The photograph above shows the paper side of the star.

Use Different Colors

If you have it, use different colored paper and foil. After making one and noting the area on the paper that will be exposed, those exposed areas may spruced up with a photograph or with glitter.

Green Paper

Your children can discover the areas by lightly marking the exposed paper area on a folded star and then unfolding the star. Once unfolded, they can add a photograph or glitter or beads, (etc.) and then they should refold the star after the decorations dry.