How to Make & Fold Paper Dice
Dice, the three-dimensional cubes used in all sorts of games, are also useful for various educational activities. Sometimes, however, certain games or activities require unconventional faces for the dice--something other than the standard one to six dots on each face. In those situations, consider making your own paper dice. This relatively simple and quick process allows you to customize your dice in any number of different ways.
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Instructions
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Draw the squares for your dice. Toward the top of the paper and centered horizontally, draw a square with one-inch sides. Use the bottom line of the square as the top of the next square and draw three one-inch lines to make another square. Repeat this process until there are four squares lined vertically on the paper. Draw another one-inch square on either side of the second square from the top. Once finished, your squares will appear in the shape of a cross.
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Add tabs for taping or gluing. Just above the top line of the last two squares drawn, draw a rectangle, one-sixth of an inch high by one-inch wide, extending above the squares. On the bottom two squares, draw a similar rectangle on either side of the squares, or four rectangles total. On the bottom of the bottom square, draw another rectangle.
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Cut out the die. Using scissors, cut along the outside of all the lines you drew on the paper, ensuring you cut around the rectangles and not on the line between the rectangle and the square.
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Design your dice with whatever numbers, shapes or words you want by writing or drawing in each of the six squares.
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Assemble the die by folding and using adhesive. Fold the shape in along every line until it looks like a cube. Using tape or glue, fasten the rectangular tabs to the adjoining squares.
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Tips & Warnings
For sturdier dice, use card stock or a heavy poster board type of paper. Using a heavier weight paper makes folding more difficult, but the dice will likely last longer.
Customize the size of the dice by using larger or smaller paper and drawing larger or smaller squares. For activities where larger dice are needed, consider using a poster board and making the dice squares with three inch or longer sides. As you adjust the size of the squares, adjust the size of the rectangular tabs as well.
