Magic Snowflake

[30 Minutes]

Has it just begun to snow? Do you live where it never snows? Here is an activity to make your days a little snowier, and more creative. Each snowflake that your child creates will be unique!

You'll need:

• scissors • plain white paper (lightweight) • string or ribbon

What to do:

1. Help your child cut the paper into a square.
2. Use the diagram to help your child fold paper several times.
3. Fold the paper in half. (A)
4. Take the lower right-hand corner and fold in so that the crease is about 2" in from the upper right corner, forming a triangle shape (B).
5. Fold the lower left-hand edge in so that it overlaps the first fold, making a triangle shape (C).
6. Invite your child to cut random shapes along all the edges of the triangle.
7. She will need to carefully unfold the cut paper to see the snowflake.
8. Help her to create a hanging loop by threading string through one of the holes in the snowflake and knotting it.

How to use:

1. If you use many different sizes of square paper to begin with, your snowflakes will be more varied.
2. You can also try using basket-style coffee filter for a snowflake with a different shape.

Let's Talk: Ideas to Explore Together.

• How can you cut out a snowflake shape? (Listen to your child's ideas, and try one before showing her this idea.)
• How many times did you fold the paper? Could you make a different snowflake by folding the paper differently? Cutting it in another way?

Useful information:

While you are having fun together, this activity helps your child develop small muscle skills and imagination.