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Watercolor Snowflakes

  • Art & Art History
  • Grades 4-5
  • Grades 1-3

Snow is falling — creativity is calling! Make your own 3D snowflakes and create a winter wonderland inside!

Materials



Watercolors
Paintbrush
Glitter Glue
Glitter
Assorted Gemstones

2 Pieces of White Printer Paper (8.5” x 11”)

Water Cup

Scissors

Pencil

Glue Stick

Instructions



Step  1.

Every snowflake is unique! Use watercolors to paint different designs on both pieces of paper — but try to keep them simple. The intricate details will come later!

 

  • TIP: Apply wet paint to wet paper for a fluid and flowy effect, or apply wet paint to dry paper for bold, crisp details!

Step  1.

Every snowflake is unique! Use watercolors to paint different designs on both pieces of paper — but try to keep them simple. The intricate details will come later!

 

  • TIP: Apply wet paint to wet paper for a fluid and flowy effect, or apply wet paint to dry paper for bold, crisp details!

Step  2.

Let your paper dry completely. Then, fold the paper in half and use scissors to cut along the fold.

Step  2.

Let your paper dry completely. Then, fold the paper in half and use scissors to cut along the fold.

Step  3.

Take one half of paper and fold the short end into an accordion — make your folds about 1 inch wide.

  •  
  • TIP: If you have leftover paper after folding, use scissors to trim it off!

Step  3.

Take one half of paper and fold the short end into an accordion — make your folds about 1 inch wide.

  •  
  • TIP: If you have leftover paper after folding, use scissors to trim it off!

Step  4.

Fold the accordion in half and press down to form a crease in the middle. Then, staple through the middle of the crease — don’t worry if it isn’t perfect!

Step  4.

Fold the accordion in half and press down to form a crease in the middle. Then, staple through the middle of the crease — don’t worry if it isn’t perfect!

Step  5.

Make your snowflake’s unique design! Cut different shapes into one half of your accordion — get creative with your cuts, but make sure to leave space in between each cut.

Step  5.

Make your snowflake’s unique design! Cut different shapes into one half of your accordion — get creative with your cuts, but make sure to leave space in between each cut.

Step  6.

Fold your accordion in half and use a pencil to roughly trace the shapes onto the un-cut part of your snowflake. After you trace, cut those shapes out!

Step  6.

Fold your accordion in half and use a pencil to roughly trace the shapes onto the un-cut part of your snowflake. After you trace, cut those shapes out!

Step  7.

Smear a bit of glue onto one half of your snowflake.

Step  7.

Smear a bit of glue onto one half of your snowflake.

Step  8.

Fold the snowflake in half, press and hold the glued end, until the pieces of your snowflake stick together!

Step  8.

Fold the snowflake in half, press and hold the glued end, until the pieces of your snowflake stick together!

Step  9.

Gently unfold and fluff your snowflake — starting from the glued half.

Step  9.

Gently unfold and fluff your snowflake — starting from the glued half.

Step  10.

Spread the paper until the two un-glued ends meet! Then, add a bit of glue onto those ends and press them together.

Step  10.

Spread the paper until the two un-glued ends meet! Then, add a bit of glue onto those ends and press them together.

Step  11.

Decorate! Use glitter glue or gemstones to add wintery, sparkling embellishments to your snowflakes.

 

Let your snowflakes dry, then put them out on display and have a sparkling snow day!

 

Step  11.

Decorate! Use glitter glue or gemstones to add wintery, sparkling embellishments to your snowflakes.

 

Let your snowflakes dry, then put them out on display and have a sparkling snow day!

 

Paint, cut, and create unique snowflakes using fun watercolor techniques!

  • Snow Many Colors: Watercolors blend into all kinds of hues, which create beautiful multicolored snowflakes! Have students mix different amounts of blue and red to make different shades of purple. What other colors can they create through blending?
  • Let It Snow: Your students can try other painting techniques to create different textures and patterns on their snowflakes! At-home materials, like plastic wrap or table salt, add sensory detail and give each snowflake a signature touch.

All snowflakes are one-of-a-kind, just like your students! As a class, ask your students to reflect on what makes their snowflakes unique — is it the size, shape, color? Then, ask your students to write five positive things about themselves by answering the question: what makes you unique?