How to Make a Six Pointed Paper Throwing Star

Paper folding is an ancient Asian art called origami. Using primarily square pieces of paper (sometimes rectangular), origami folds create likenesses of real objects like cranes, cats, flowers and stars. It is debated whether Origami originated in Japan or in China. Japan made origami the known art form that it is today, but paper folding was popular throughout history in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Square sheet of paper

1. 
   Folded in half

   Fold the square in half.

2. 
   Four squares

   Unfold it, then fold in half the other way and unfold. Now the square has a cross through it, making four small squares.

3. 
   First corner fold

   Grasp the top left corner and pull it down toward the middle of the bottom squares. Make sure the top right corner comes to a point when making this fold.

4. 
   Second fold

   Take the bottom left corner. Fold it toward the middle of your first fold. Be careful that this fold creates a corner with the bottom right side.

5. 
   Folding in the flap

   The fold in Step 4 will create a little flap. Flip your paper over. Tuck the flap underneath the corner.

6. Flip the paper back over so the thickest point is facing you.

7. 

   Fold the bottom point up until the tip touches the middle of the side across from it.

8. 

   Take the top left corner down to the bottom right corner. Unfold it. Fold the top right corner to the bottom left corner, then unfold it.

9. 

   Fold the point of the middle triangle down past its bottom. This fold is just a little more than folding it in half.

10. 

    Grasp the upper right triangle and fold it in half in the same manner as the last fold. This new triangle will overlap slightly with the bottom one.

11. 

    Repeat Step 10 with the upper left triangle.

12. 

    Secure the paper star's form by tucking the edge of one point under the edge of the thicker one.

Tips & Warnings

• When making any of the folds, form the corners carefully.
• Use your fingernail or the side of a pencil to flatten folds more easily.

Resources

• Origami Supplies