Geometric Toys to Make

About the projects

These craft projects are fun to make, but also teach some basics of geometry. Learn about radial symmetry by making paper snowflakes. Try to solve puzzles using the basic geometric shapes in a set of tangrams. Take geometry to the third dimension with Platonic solids, and have fun finding hidden surfaces with flexagons! In the coming weeks and months other projects featuring geometric fun will be added!

The projects range in difficulty from VERY EASY to AVERAGE.

Browse down this page for descriptions and illustrations of the projects, then select a project and have some crafting fun!

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  Symmetry in Snowflakes - Learn how to make paper snowflakes. This project includes patterns for several different snowflakes, including Aunt Annie's favorites. You will also learn about the symmetry found in every snowflake.

  EASY

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  Tangram Puzzles - Learn to make the tangram puzzle game that originated in China during the 1800's. It is a puzzle that requires imagination and creativity. The project includes patterns for making tangrams and several printable puzzle sheets with shapes you are challenged to duplicate.

  VERY EASY

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  Geometric Solids - In this project make three of the five Platonic solids—tetrahedron, octahedron, and icosahedron. These geometric models can be used for things beyond learning about solid geometry. Decorate them and make a colorful mobile or use them as gift boxes.

  EASY to AVERAGE

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  Flexagons - Learn how to make a flexagon, a most fascinating geometric toy! Flexagons are folded paper polygons that have the neat feature of changing faces as they are flexed. With a quick fold, change a flexagon that is green and yellow to green and blue, then to yellow and blue.

  AVERAGE

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  Platonic Solids - In this craft project learn a simple technique based on circles for making all five Platonic solids—tetrahedron, octahedron, icosahedron, cube, and dodecahedron. The solids can be also be decorated and used as giftboxes.

  EASY