How To Make Little Paper Stars
Learn how to make small, folded paper origami stars that can be used for countless crafts.
Emily Fazio
Tiny stars are always a quick and fun project, simple enough to create in bulk. I think you’ll find it amazing how easily they come together. We’ve made it a family challenge in the past, using hundreds of stars to create a holiday garland.
Before you begin folding tiny paper stars, you’ll need to buy origami star paper or create tiny strips with 8.5” x 11” paper. I like using a paper cutter for even slices, but you can also measure and trim using scissors. The most important detail to note is that the paper shouldn’t be too wide. Wider strips = bigger stars, but the strip paper won’t wrap around enough times to create a dense star. Narrower strips create smaller stars that are less likely to collapse when you “inflate” them. Each strip of paper should be no wider than a half-inch or one centimeter.
Emily Fazio
That said, if you’re using 11” x 17” paper, you can likely get away with cutting wider strips of paper to make larger stars because the strip of paper is longer.
Once you’ve cut strips of paper, you’re ready to fold them into shape.
Emily Fazio
1. Take the end of a strip of paper and fold it to create a “ribbon.”
2. Fold the short end of the paper through the loop. Gently pull and adjust the papers. You don’t want to tear it, but you want to gently tighten it.
3. Once firmly tightened, crease the edges so it forms a flat, five-sided pentagon “knot.” This will become your five-sided star.
4. Tuck the short tail into the body of the star.
5. Hold the long end of the paper and start by folding it up so it overlaps the knot.
6. Notice how the paper aligns to the angle of the “knot” and the long tail winds up matching to the top left or top right edge of the pentagon.
Emily Fazio
7. Continue wrapping the long tail around, creating firm creases every time it wraps around the pentagon.
8. Tuck the remaining end beneath the paper strip when you notice you won’t be able to wrap it around another time. If the tail is a little too long, fold it before tucking it in.
9. Hold the folded pentagon gently on the flat edges using two fingers from one hand and three from another.
10. Apply even pressure to all edges. The flat pentagon will begin to puff up into a three-dimensional star.
Emily Fazio
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