| Hugely inspired by Mina’s flexagons over on Flame Creative Kids, this craft (a Tetra-tetra Flexagon) uses the same folding out idea to tell a story in 3 pictures. This one piece of paper construction is lovely and tactile to play with. I’ve left the back plain so you can add a child s name or any other info onto it. |
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I made the one pictured by printing on 2 pieces of paper stuck together after my printer had a tantrum, they work much better when you print on both sides of one page. Because of this, I’ve not given a PDF but 2 images for you to print. (Image 1, Image 2) |
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Print the template so that as you flip the paper by the longer edge you will see one picture appears upside down. Start by cutting out your shape, it’s important you cut and fold along the lines cleanly for this to work. Fold the page along all the lines working each fold both ways. |
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We need to separate the central 2 squares to make the mechanism. First fold the page in half and cut the 2 middle folds. |
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Then separate the 2 white squares. These white squares will be the back of the story.Keep the side with the white squares facing you. |
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Take the long tongue piece you have just separated and wrap it under and round the end of the paper. You will see when it is correct as the white squares line up. |
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Now take the other end and wrap that under until you have 6 white squares facing you. take a small piece of sticky tape and attach the middle pieces together. While this may have sounded complicated it’s usually immediately obvious if it is wrong and it’s only 1 piece of tape to remove! |
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Turn over your creation and start your story. When you want the next picture, open from the middle. (Sorry about the blurry shot). |
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Other posts for Matthew.
I don’t know whether I’m being a complete numpty but I just cannot make this work. Have got it to the 6 white squares on the back but then am stumped! Any help gratefully received :o)
Don’t worry Lisa – perhaps it will be easier to see a video of it. try https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LiyQ0Q4KB0c to see someone fold one in real time. You want the second half of the video.
Thank you! Turns out it’s really quite simple when you know how!
This is very cute!! What is the best way to get the images to print back-to-back?
Thanks for the comment. It’s hard to give instructions without knowing specific setups, but generally download the images and print them centered on your pages and that should work just fine!
Love it!!!