3D Paper Snowflakes DIY: Made from Book Pages

The kids and I made these DIY 3D paper snowflakes from old book pages last week, and I had to share! They’re one of those homemade crafts that look anything but homemade. So simple and inexpensive to make, but they turn out looking so good!

As you know, I love crafts that use things I already have around the house, and this one is perfect for giving old book pages a second life (of course, you can use other paper types as well). The finished snowflakes are beautiful, full of dimension, and look so pretty hanging in a window, decorating a mantle, or added on top of a gift.

They look complicated to make, but they’re actually pretty simple to put together. Once you get the hang of the folding and cutting, you’ll want to make a whole bunch of them!

Let’s get started!

Supplies You’ll Need for Making 3D Paper Snowflakes

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• 10 rectangular pages from an old book
• Scissors
• Glue stick
• Hot glue gun and hot glue sticks

A little tip: You can use almost any paper for this project, but old book pages give these 3D paper snowflakes such a pretty vintage, farmhouse feel. You could also use sheet music, scrapbook paper, or even pages from an old dictionary!

How to Make 3D Paper Snowflakes from Book Pages

Step 1: Fold Your Book Pages

Start by taking one rectangular book page and folding it into thirds lengthwise. You’ll want to bring the two outside sections toward the middle, then, using a glue stick, glue the edges together so you have one long, folded strip.

Repeat this process with all 10 book pages, trying to make each the same size!

Once you have all 10 strips made, fold each one in half. You’ll now have 10 matching folded pieces ready for the next step.

Tip: Glue the top edge down to ensure the book page is fully adhered.

Step 2: Make Your Snowflake Cutting Template

Now it’s time to create the design for your snowflake! (I’ll leave a few template ideas below, but you can do whatever design you like.)

Take one of your folded pieces and cut your desired snowflake pattern into it. This will become your template for the remaining nine pieces.

Important: Be careful not to cut on the bottom folded edge! You want to leave that fold intact so your pieces stay connected.

Once you’re happy with your template, use it as a guide to cut the other nine folded pieces. This makes it so much easier to keep all your snowflake sections looking the same.

Step 3: Glue Each Folded Strip Closed

Grab your hot glue gun and carefully run one line of hot glue down the middle of each folded strip to hold it closed.

You’ll want to do this to all 10 pieces.

Take your time here, making sure each piece is glued together securely. These little sections are what give your finished snowflake its beautiful 3D shape

Step 4: Stack and Glue All 10 Pieces Together

We’re almost there! Now we are going to glue and stack each of these pieces neatly on top of the others.

To do this, run one line of hot glue down the center to attach each piece to the next. Continue until all 10 pieces are glued together into one stack.

Make sure everything is lined up as evenly as possible. This will help your snowflake open up nicely and keep its shape.

Step 5: Open Your 3D Paper Snowflake

This is the fun part!

Start by gluing the folded bottom sections together, along with one side of the snowflake. This will help hold everything in place as you begin opening it.

Slowly fan out your snowflake, being gentle as you separate the sections. Once you’ve opened it all the way, glue the remaining end pieces together to connect the snowflake into one beautiful 3D shape.

And that’s it! You have a gorgeous handmade paper snowflake!

Paper Snowflake Template Options

When it comes to designing your 3D paper snowflakes, the possibilities are endless! You can keep things simple with a few basic cuts, or get a little creative with more detailed patterns. I like to experiment with different shapes and cuts to see how each one turns out. Just remember to keep the folded edge intact so all your pieces stay connected. Don’t be afraid to play around with your designs and make each snowflake your own!

How to Make Different Sizes

One of the fun things about making these 3D paper snowflakes is that you can easily change up the sizes! Simply start with larger or smaller rectangles, depending on how big you want your finished snowflake to be.

For the mid-sized snowflakes, I used half of a book page. And for the super-small snowflakes, I used a third of a book page. The process for assembling is the same; the only thing that is different is your rectangle size.

You can make a few different sizes and hang them together at varying heights for a really pretty winter display. Just remember to keep all 10 pieces the same size within each snowflake so everything lines up nicely when you glue it together!

Things to do with Your DIY Book Page Snowflakes

I absolutely love how these turned out! The old book pages give them such a vintage look, and the 3D shape makes them so much more interesting than a traditional flat paper snowflake.

Here are some things you can do with them:

• Hang in windows
• Create a snowflake garland
• Decorate your Christmas tree
• Make a winter wonderland ceiling display
• Add string to turn them into Christmas ornaments
• Decorate your mantle
• Use as gift toppers
• Create a winter tablescape
• Make a snowflake wall display
• Add to a tiered tray
• Create a snowflake wreath
• Decorate a bookshelf
• Hang above a bed or doorway
• Use as party decorations
• Add to a holiday centerpiece
• Incorporate into a winter wedding display decorations.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use regular paper instead of book pages? Absolutely! Regular printer paper, scrapbook paper, sheet music, paper bags, and old dictionary pages will all work. Just keep in mind that thicker paper may be a little harder to fold and cut.
2. How many book pages do I need to make one 3D snowflake? You’ll need 10 rectangular book pages for each snowflake. If it’s smaller, you might get away with 8.
3. Can I make these paper snowflakes ahead of time? Yes! These are great to make ahead of the holiday season. Store them somewhere dry and flat until you’re ready to display them.
4. Can I use something other than hot glue? Hot glue works best because it holds the layers together quickly. You could experiment with craft glue, but you’ll need to allow extra drying time and may need clips to hold the pieces in place.
5. How can I make different-sized 3D paper snowflakes? The process for assembling will be the same; the only thing that will be different is your rectangle size.

A Fun Family-Friendly Winter Craft

I just love it when something so simple turns into something so beautiful! I hope this 3D paper snowflake DIY inspires you to spend an afternoon crafting with your kids.

Whether you’re decorating for Christmas or just want to add a little winter charm to your home, I think you will love the end product. Happy Crafting!

More Winter Crafts to Try

• How to Make Christmas Woodslice Ornaments
• DIY Bird Feeder Ornaments
• Easy DIY Clay Ornaments with Napkin Decoupage
• Handmade Stovetop Christmas Potpourri Gifts
  

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