If you use A4 paper you will need to cut off two centimeters off the end of the paper.

If you are using U.S. letter sized paper (8 1/2 x 11), use as is.

Fold the paper in half (the folded paper will be short and fat, not  long and thin)

Fold left bottom corner of the folded edge so it comes to the middle of the right side.

Fold the bottom layer onto the top layer.

Fold the left side over the triangle.

Cut the remaining triangle at an angle. The sharper the angle, the “pointier” the star will be. The part held by the left hand is the part that is the star. Open it one fold to make sure you didn’t cut too far up, since the inside folds are not as tall as the outside. If you missed some layers, fold it back up and cut the angle a little shorter (closer to the bottom point.)

Unfold to reveal a star. This wastes a lot of paper, so you may want to make a pattern out of copier paper or newspaper, then cut the more expensive colored paper using this pattern. If you want a smaller star, refold the paper, then cut closer to the point. Another options is to start with a smaller rectangle.

How to make a paper star pattern

Make Three-dimensional Stars

To make flat paper stars three-dimensional, simply fold all the points in half to the middle. Then turn the paper over and fold all the “V’s” between the points to the middle on this back side. (Mountain folds down the middle of each point, valley folds between each point, all meeting in the middle of the star.)

Cut up the star to make some puzzles. It may be harder to make a star out of triangles than you think!

Make Stand-up Star Party Decorations--

Cut out 2 stars the same shape and color. Cut a slit down to the middle in the top of one star (cut through the middle of a point) and another slit on the bottom of the other star (between 2 points.) Slide the 2 stars together, and stand them up. If they don’t stand, try using stiffer paper, or stand them on top of paper or cloth because the points tend to slip on a slick surface such as a bare table.

NOTE: THE FOLDED PAPER STARS WILL NOT STAND, SO USE THE FOLDED PATTERN TO LAY ON TOP OF UNFOLDED PAPER TO CUT OUT 2 STARS WITHOUT ANY FOLDS FOR THESE DECORATIONS.

mountain folds

valley folds