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A paper geodesic dome made of yellow and blue triangles, standing on a table.
The finished project.

Paper craft

Geodesic Paper Dome

  • Challenge (level 5 of 5)
  • 60 min
  • 9 steps
  • Ages 10–14 (a guide, not a rule)
  • Uses scissors
  • Uses glue
  • Adult help suggested
Start Making Print with template

A geodesic dome is made of triangles that share the load, so a thin shell stands up strong. This one has 40 triangles in two shapes, cut as five identical pieces. Yellow triangles meet in fives and form pentagons; blue triangles fill the gaps. Print at actual size so the edges match exactly.

Before you start

You need

Decorating (optional): The template is already colored. You can print it in black and white and color the triangles yourself: pentagons of one color look best.

No card stock printed with sheet 1 (pieces 1 to 4)? Small pieces of clear tape can replace glue on any tab that will not stick.

For the grown-up: Help with cutting the inside corners between tabs, and with holding the last pieces while the glue sets inside the dome.

Use blunt-tip scissors and cut away from your fingers.

How to place the paper before the first step
Your paper: Print both sheets at 100% (Actual size) on card stock. Check that each 5 cm bar measures 5 cm. Every piece is the same shape.
  • Mountain fold: pink dash-dot. Fold away from you, like a mountain.
  • Crease: a thin gray line where you folded before.
  • Cut: a thick solid line with scissors.
  • Glue: a yellow area marked "glue".

Step by step

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

  1. Step 1: cut, shown on the paper Do this
    Step 1 result Result
    Step 1 of 9 Cut Cut out the five pieces along the solid outlines. Keep every tab, and cut slowly into the inside corners.
  2. Step 2: fold and unfold, shown on the paper Do this
    Step 2 result Result
    Step 2 of 9 Fold and unfold Fold along every dashed line, bending the paper away from you so the colors stay outside. Unfold gently: the folds are shallow.
  3. Step 3: glue, shown on the paper Do this
    Step 3 result Result
    Step 3 of 9 Glue Rub glue on the four tabs of piece 1. Press each tab under the matching edge of piece 2, starting at the top point.
  4. Step 4: put together, shown on the paper Do this
    Step 4 result Result
    Step 4 of 9 Put together Glue the tabs of piece 2 under piece 3 the same way. The pieces begin to curve into a dome.
  5. Step 5: put together, shown on the paper Do this
    Step 5 result Result
    Step 5 of 9 Put together Add piece 4: glue the tabs of piece 3 under its edges.
  6. Step 6: put together, shown on the paper Do this
    Step 6 result Result
    Step 6 of 9 Put together Add piece 5: glue the tabs of piece 4 under its edges. All five top points now meet.
  7. Step 7: glue, shown on the paper Do this
    Step 7 result Result
    Step 7 of 9 Glue Close the dome: rub glue on the tabs of piece 5 and press them under the edges of piece 1, from the top down.
  8. Step 8: push, shown on the paper Do this
    Step 8 result Result
    Step 8 of 9 Push Reach inside and press each tab against the piece above it for a minute while the glue sets.
  9. Step 9: check, shown on the paper Do this
    Step 9 result Result
    Step 9 of 9 Check Stand the dome on its ten bottom edges. Gently push out any flat spots so it is round.
A paper geodesic dome made of yellow and blue triangles, standing on a table.

You made it!

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

Print the steps

Template

Print the template at 100% (Actual size), not "Fit to page". Then measure the check bar with a ruler: it must be 5 cm (2 in) long.

  • Sheet 1: dome pieces 1 to 4 (preview, not to scale) Sheet 1: dome pieces 1 to 4 · 182 × 178 mm. The dome is 112 mm (about 4.4 in) across. Print at 100%.
  • Sheet 2: dome piece 5 (preview, not to scale) Sheet 2: dome piece 5 · 118 × 89 mm. Same shape as pieces 1 to 4. Print at 100%.
Print the template

If something goes wrong

A tab does not line up with its edge.

Check the 5 cm bar: if it is not 5 cm, print again at 100% (Actual size). The tab labeled "to 3" goes under piece 3.

The dome is flat or lopsided.

Glue every tab along its full length, and check that each fold bends away from the colored side.

The last piece will not close.

Start at the top point and glue one tab at a time, holding each one before the next.

There is a small hole at the top.

Press the five points together from inside and hold them; a small piece of tape inside fixes it.

Helpful hints

  • Score each dashed line with a ruler edge before folding: shallow folds come out cleaner.
  • Match the numbers: every tab says which piece it goes under.

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