Origami · folding only

Eight-Point Modular Star

Challenge (level 5 of 5)
30 min
10 steps
Ages 9–14 (a guide, not a rule)

No scissors
No glue
No adult help needed

Start Making Print

Every unit is a small triangle with a hidden pocket inside. Each new unit turns one eighth of the way around and slides into the pocket of the one before it, and the last unit closes the ring. The folding is quick; the challenge is lining up eight units so the star comes out even and holds together.

Before you start

You need

8 × Small squares of paper, four in each of two colors, 75 x 75 mm (3 x 3 in). All eight must be the same size. Paper colored on one side works best. 15 cm (6 in) squares make a star about 21 cm (8 in) across.

Decorating (optional): No coloring needed. Two colors that alternate look best; one color works too.

No small squares of paper, four in each of two colors? Square sticky notes work well: fold with the sticky strip inside. Any thin paper cut into equal squares works.

How to place the paper before the first step — **Your paper:** Start with one small square, white side up. Every unit is folded the same way.

Valley fold: blue dashes. Fold toward you, like a valley.
Crease: a thin gray line where you folded before.

Step by step

Each step shows what to do (left) and how it should look after (right).

Do this

Result

Step 1 of 10 Valley fold Fold the bottom-left corner up to the top-right corner to make a triangle. Crease it well.
Do this

Result

Step 2 of 10 Valley fold Fold the triangle in half: bring the left point over to the bottom point. This is one unit.
Do this

Result

Step 3 of 10 Fold and unfold Fold the unit in half the other way, top point to bottom point. Crease it and unfold: this center crease is your guide.
Do this

Result

Step 4 of 10 Check Find the pocket between the two middle layers. It opens along the long edge and along the slit side; the folded side stays closed.
Do this

Result

Step 5 of 10 Check Fold seven more units the same way: four in each color.
Do this

Result

Step 6 of 10 Put together Turn a second unit one eighth of the way around and slide it into the pocket of the first, through the open sides. Its folded edge stops on the first unit's crease. (The first unit, laid flat with its square corner in the middle of the table.)
Do this

Result

Step 7 of 10 Put together Slide a third unit into the pocket of the second unit the same way. Keep all the square corners together in the middle.
Do this

Result

Step 8 of 10 Put together Keep adding units around the circle, each one into the pocket of the last, until seven units are joined. Alternate the colors.
Do this

Result

Step 9 of 10 Put together Close the star: open the last unit's pocket around the first unit's free edge, then slide the last unit into the seventh unit.
Do this

Result

Step 10 of 10 Push Press the center flat and push each unit in until every folded edge sits on its neighbor's crease and the eight points are even.

A flat eight-point paper star made of eight folded triangles, alternating gold and blue around the center.

You made it!

Yours may look a little different. That is part of making things by hand.

Print the steps

If something goes wrong

A unit will not slide in.

Turn it over: the closed fold must be the edge that goes in first. Lift the top two layers of the pocket with a fingertip.

The points are uneven and the star has a gap.

Push each unit in until its folded edge lies on the crease of the unit it is in, with all square corners touching in the middle.

The last unit is hard to close.

Slide the first unit out a little, put the last unit's pocket around it, then push both back in together.

The star comes apart when you pick it up.

Press every unit flat and crease the units firmly; small, crisp units grip better. Hold it by the middle.

Helpful hints

All eight units must face the same way up. Check that every pocket opens on the same side before you start.
Use the center crease of each unit as a guide: the next unit's folded edge goes exactly on it.

An original PlayOwl project.