How to make a Flexagon

How to Make a Tri-hexaflexagon

Read all of the steps before starting.

Step 1: Choose a Pattern and Print It

Choose a tri-hexaflexagon to make. Download and print the pattern.
Choose a design that prints in color, or select the black & white pattern and use your creativity to add color and designs. There is also a pattern with numbers for each face—1, 2 and 3.

Black & White

Colored

Numbered

Stars

http://www.auntannie.com/Geometric/Flexagon/TriHexaFlexagonStars.pdf

Step 2: Color Pattern (optional)

Color the pattern template as you like with markers, colored pencils or crayons. You don't need to color the glue tabs marked with '*'.

Step 3: Cut

Cut around the pattern on the outline. Try to make the cuts very straight and accurate. There will be one piece with twenty triangles.

Step 4: Double

Make a double thickness by folding the pattern piece in half lengthwise and glue. To make a sharp, straight fold, first score on the fold line.

To score: Use a ruler and the empty ballpoint pen (or bone folder) to make an indent along the fold lines.

Step 5: Fold

Score and fold back and forth on all the solid lines. Do this for each of the 10 triangles of the tri-hexaflexagon.

Place the folded pattern with the side without glue tabs facing up, and the end with a green (2) triangle to the left. Fold back on the line between the yellow (3rd) and blue (4th) triangles (1 and 3)—four yellow triangles (1s) are together now. Fold back on the line between the yellow and blue triangles (1 and 3). Now you should be able to see five yellow triangles (1s). Pull the yellow triangle (1) forward that is behind the green triangle (2). There should be six yellow triangles (1s) on top and a blue triangle (3) to the side. Fold the blue triangle (3) back.

The two glue tabs marked with '*' are now face-to-face. Glue them together. Wait for the glue to dry before flexing your flexagon.

Step 6: Flex

Fold the flexagon to bring together three alternate corners of the flexagon. The top of the flexagon will pop open if there is a new face to reveal. If it doesn't pop open, flatten the flexagon and try again with the other three corners.

As you flex the flexagon in this project, see if you can find all the possible combinations of faces. The tri-hexaflexagon has three faces in three combinations.