How to Make a Handheld Paper Fan

Pleat paper to make a fan.

Keeping cool on a hot day doesn't require air conditioners and other modern conveniences. A hand-held paper fan cools you down and is also an attractive accessory. A foldable fan is even more useful, as you can easily bring it with you to the beach, the game and on other outings. Use fancy, decorative papers for an adult fan or allow a child to decorate a sheet of paper for a personal fan.

Things You'll Need

• Paper
• Scissors
• Glue
• Popsicle sticks

Instructions

1. Cut a strip of paper that is 3 feet long and 8 inches wide. Cut shorter strips if your paper is not long enough and glue the paper strips end to end to achieve the correct length, overlapping the glued edges by 1/2 inch.

2. Fold the paper into accordion pleats, beginning at the short end of the paper strip. Make each fold 1/2 inch wide.

3. Glue a Popsicle stick to each end of the the paper strip, attaching a stick to the first and the last pleat. Glue the Popsicle stick so that 1 inch of each stick protrudes above the paper. Leave the paper folded so that it is sandwiched between the two Popsicle sticks.

4. Wrap a length of tape around the paper opposite the side where the sticks protrude. Do not tape around the Popsicle sticks.

5. Open the fan by pulling the sticks apart until they touch each other. Use the sticks as a handle to wave the circular, pleated fan to cool yourself down.

Tips & Warnings

• Add any decorations to the paper before you fold and pleat it.

• Use lightweight to medium-weight paper, as heavy paper is more difficult to fold.

References

• Pitara Kid's Network: Paper Fans