Each printable PDF includes a two-part hexa-hexaflexagon pattern. Choose the Black & White sheet to color your own six-faced design, or print the Numbered sheet to simplify assembly. After cutting, folding, and gluing, this fascinating geometric toy flexes to reveal all six hidden faces. New to flexagons? Start with the Printable Tri-hexaflexagon Patterns to learn the basic folding and flexing techniques before tackling the six-faced hexa-hexaflexagon.
Choose the pattern sheet that best fits your project. On both sheets, each number identifies the triangles that form one completed face. The numbers point toward the center of the finished face, making it easier to visualize how the six faces fit together before you begin folding. After assembly, the triangles making up a numbered face may appear in different arrangements as the flexagon is flexed. This is a normal characteristic of the hexa-hexaflexagon.
Each pattern is a PDF file that prints on standard Letter/A4 paper.
Download and print the pattern sheet of your choice.
Optional: Color the patterns before cutting them out. The Numbered sheet and the Coloring Guide on the Black & White sheet show which triangles belong to each of the six faces. Because the numbers point toward the center of each finished face, it's easier to plan colors or create your own designs before assembling the flexagon.
Tip: Leave the glue tabs (*) uncolored for the neatest finished flexagon.
Cut around the two pattern pieces on the outline. There will be two pieces with 19 triangles each. The triangles marked with asterisks (*) are glue tabs.
Tip: Straight, accurate cuts make folding and flexing much easier.
Score the center fold line of each pattern piece, then fold each in half lengthwise and glue it closed to create a double-thickness strip. Join the two strips by gluing the matching single triangles back-to-back. Allow the glue to dry before going to the next step.
Score and fold back and forth every line between adjacent triangles.
Tip: Scoring the fold lines helps create crisp folds that flex smoothly. To score a line, draw a bone folder or empty ballpoint pen along a ruler placed on the fold line.
The following instructions for folding the hexa-hexaflexagon assume you are using the Numbered pattern or that each triangle of the blank flexagon strip is lightly labeled with pencil 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 per the Coloring Guide.
Place the triangle strip with the numbers-only side up and the triangle numbered 1 to the left (Fig. 1). Fold back on the line between triangles numbered 2 and 3, as shown (Fig. 2). Fold back on the next line between triangles numbered 2 and 3 (Fig. 3). Five triangles numbered 2 will now be visible (Fig. 4). Bring the remaining triangle numbered 2 forward from behind the triangle numbered 1, fold the triangle numbered 3 back (Fig. 5), and glue the two tabs (*) together. Allow the glue to dry before flexing.
Gently pinch three alternating corners together to flex the finished model and reveal a hidden face. If a new face doesn't open, flatten the flexagon and try pinching the opposite three corners. Continue flexing to reveal all six faces and discover the repeating sequence in which they appear.
Tip: As you become more familiar with the flexagon, notice how the triangles forming each numbered face can appear in different arrangements as the flexagon is flexed.
Tip: For more details, variations, and additional patterns, visit the Hexa-hexaflexagons page.
Decorate with Rubberstamps
Tip: An easy way to decorate the blank hexa-hexaflexagon pattern is with rubberstamps. One way to keep track of the six faces is by stamping 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 on each triangle making up the face as shown in the example.
More Flexagon Patterns
Tip: Visit Hexa-hexaflexagons to explore ready-to-print color patterns, additional flexagon variations, detailed assembly instructions, flexing tips, and the story behind these fascinating geometric toys.
Penta-hexaflexagons
Tip: Ready for another challenge? Print a Penta-hexaflexagon pattern (color or black-and-white) with five faces—two visible on the outside and three hidden within the flexagon.
Store Your Flexagons
Tip: Make a Flexagon Boxed Set to organize your collection or create a handmade gift. The hexagon box is deep enough to store four hexa-hexaflexagons and even more tri-hexaflexagons.
