2D diagram
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How to make a paper snowman chain

Paper Snowman Chain: try all 8 steps in the 3D player. Turn and replay every move. Print the complete diagram sheet or save it as PDF.

EasyAn Origami Tutor design8 steps24 × 9 cm · One rectangle

Accordion-fold a paper strip into four panels and cut one snowman through all of them. His arms stay joined at both folded sides, and the strip opens into four snowmen in top hats holding hands.

You need
Thin paper, a pencil, a ruler and scissors.
Start
Begin with one 24 × 9 cm strip of thin white or pale blue paper. Mark four equal 6 cm panels along its length.
Finish

Your model is ready

Open every fold and smooth the strip flat. Draw a carrot nose, two eyes and a few buttons on each snowman with a pencil or marker, then hang the chain across a window. The finished snowman chain, four snowmen in top hats holding hands.

3D paper
8 steps · press any step to watch it in 3D

Step-by-step diagrams

  1. 1

    Fold panel 1 over the next

    Measure another 60 mm panel. Fold the entire left packet over the paper to its right, lining up the edges. Keep all panels the same width.

  2. 2

    Fold panel 2 behind the next

    Measure another 60 mm panel. Fold the entire left packet under the paper to its right, lining up the edges. Keep all panels the same width.

  3. 3

    Fold panel 3 over the next

    Measure another 60 mm panel. Fold the entire left packet over the paper to its right, lining up the edges. Keep all panels the same width.

  4. 4

    Cut over the hat, head and arms

    Draw the snowman on the top panel first: a top hat, a round head, a round body and a wide round base, with arms out to both folded sides. Start on the left folded side at the top of the arm, 38 mm below the top edge. Cut in along the arm to the body, up round the head and over the hat, and down the other side and out along the other arm to the right folded side at the same height. Cut through all four layers.

  5. 5

    Cut under the arms and round the body

    Start on the left folded side at the underside of the arm, 9 mm below the first cut, so each hand stays joined across the fold. Cut in to the body, down round its side and out round the wide base, across the bottom and up the other side, then back along the underside of the other arm to the right folded side. Everything below the snowman falls away.

  6. 6

    Open pleat 3

    Open this crease gently, leaving the earlier folds closed. Keep the uncut joins together.

  7. 7

    Open pleat 2

    Open this crease gently, leaving the earlier folds closed. Keep the uncut joins together.

  8. 8

    Open pleat 1

    Open this crease gently, leaving the earlier folds closed. Keep the uncut joins together.

  9. ✓

    Finish

    Open every fold and smooth the strip flat. Draw a carrot nose, two eyes and a few buttons on each snowman with a pencil or marker, then hang the chain across a window. The finished snowman chain, four snowmen in top hats holding hands.