Aunt Annie's Crafts logo

Aunt Annie's Crafts

Craft projects and more!

Geometric Toys to Make

Crafts & learning together!

Geometric Toys to Make

Crafts & learning together!
 
advertisement
Geometric Toys to Make

Platonic Solids

Decorative boxes and calendars, too!
All Five Platonic Solids - Tetrahedron, Cube, Octahedron, Dodecahedron, Icosahedron
What you will make:

In this project, learn a simple technique based on circles for making all five Platonic solids—tetrahedron, octahedron, icosahedron, cube, and dodecahedron. The solids also make nifty boxes, fun decorations and unique calendars—special patterns included!

Each solid is made from a circle, with the shape the solid is based on drawn inside of the circle. This construction technique reinforces the concepts of Platonic solids as the student assembles each solid.

Three-dimensional objects with only flat (or plane) surfaces are known as polyhedra. There are many different polyhedra, but five of them have the property of being regular, or "Platonic". A solid is regular if all planes (or faces) are the same, and the same number of planes meet at each corner (or vertex). Five solids qualify as regular: three are based on equilateral triangles (tetrahedron, octahedron, and icosahedron), one is based on squares (cube), and one is based on regular pentagons (dodecahedron).

Related craft: For other geometric solids to make, see the project Geometric Solids.

Here's what you need:
  • Computer paper or cardstock, plain or colored
  • Optional: Empty ballpoint pen and ruler, markers, crayons, stickers.
  • Glue or double-sided tape
  • Scissors

This project is rated EASY to do.

Share this craft with friends and family
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share with a pin on Pinterest Share using email
Before you start
  • Make a place to work.
  • Read all of the directions.
  • Gather everything you need to do the project.
  • Think about the project. Imagine how it will look and what you will do with it.
advertisement

How to Make Platonic Solids

Read all of the steps before starting.
Step 1: Choose a Pattern and Print It

Choose the platonic solid you want to make—there are templates for triangle, square and pentagon faces. For the cube, print squares; for the dodecahedron, print pentagons, and print triangles for the tetrahedron, octahedron and icosahedron (2 sheets). Download and print the pattern on paper or cardstock. The patterns are available in color or in black and white, for you to print on colored paper or add your own design.

Use the special Stars & Stripes and Patriotic Stars patterns to make decorations for the Fourth of July or other patriotic holidays, and use the Calendar pentagon pattern to make a dodecahedron calendar for 2023 or 2024. See Stars and Stripes String Light Covers for how to light up the Fourth of July with tetrahedrons!

Triangles
Printable pattern for triangles to make tetrahedron, octahedron or icosahedron
Squares
Printable pattern of squares for making a cube
Pentagons
Printable pattern of pentagons for making a dodecahedron
Stars & Stripes
Printable pattern for triangles with stars and stripes to make tetrahedron, octahedron or icosahedron
Patriotic Stars
Printable pattern for triangles with stars to make tetrahedron, octahedron or icosahedron
2023 Calendar
Printable pattern of pentagons for making a dodecahedron calendar 2023
2024 Calendar
Printable pattern of pentagons for making a dodecahedron calendar 2024

Patterns are Adobe PDF files. The Adobe Reader is available for free.

All of Aunt Annie's project patterns are designed to be printed on standard letter-size paper (8.5"x11" or A4). When printing from Adobe Reader, you may need to select Auto-Rotate and Center or Choose paper source by PDF page size to ensure the best fit.

Step 2: Cut Circles
Platonic solids - cut circles

Cut on the outline of each circle.

  • Tetrahedron - Cut four circles with equilateral triangles.
  • Cube - Cut six circles with squares.
  • Octahedron - Cut eight circles with equilateral triangles.
  • Icosahedron - Cut twenty circles with equilateral triangles.
  • Dodecahedron - Cut twelve circles with pentagons.
Step 3: Fold Platonic solids - fold sides

Fold on each of the three (or four or five) fold lines. To hide the printed fold lines, turn the circle with the printed side down before folding; otherwise, keep the printed side up. Repeat for each circle. For circles printed on cardstock, score the fold lines first with the empty ballpoint pen.

Tip: You may optionally decorate the inner triangles, squares, or pentagons with crayons, markers, stickers, or rubber stamps. Decorate on the unprinted side.

Step 4: Glue Parts

When gluing, use the folded sides as glue tabs, and keep them on the outside.

Platonic solids - glue parts together
  • Tetrahedron - Glue three folded circles with triangles together to form a pyramid. Glue them so that they meet at one point. One circle remains -- go on to Step 6.
  • Cube - Glue three folded circles with squares together to form one corner of the cube. Glue them so that they meet at one point. Repeat for the other three circles. To finish assembling -- go on to Step 6.
  • Octahedron - Glue four folded circles with triangles together to form a pyramid shape. Glue them so that they meet at one point. Repeat for the other four circles. To finish assembling -- go on to Step 6.
  • Dodecahedron - Glue five folded circles with pentagons around the sides of a sixth. Glue the sides together to form the top. Be sure that the glue tabs are on the outside. Repeat for the bottom. To finish assembling -- go on to Step 6.
  • Icosahedron - Glue five folded circles with triangles together to form the top. Glue them so that they meet at one point. Repeat to form the bottom.
Step 5: Make Ring Platonic solids - make ring for icosahedron

Icosahedron only: Glue ten folded circles with triangles into a ring using the glue tabs.

Step 6: Assemble

Glue the parts together.

Five platonic solids
  • Tetrahedron - Complete the shape by gluing the last circle into the bottom of the three-sided pyramid shape.
  • Cube - Glue the two pieces together.
  • Octahedron - Glue the two four-sided pyramid shapes together at their bases.
  • Dodecahedron - Glue the top and bottom together.
  • Icosahedron - Glue the top to the ring, then glue the bottom to the ring. Platonic solids - assembling icosahedron

Tip: If you want, the glue tabs can be folded down and glued to a face or trimmed to one-eighth of an inch.

That's it! Your Platonic solids are complete!
All Five Platonic Solids - Tetrahedron, Cube, Octahedron, Dodecahedron, Icosahedron

Keep up with Aunt Annie's Crafts on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, RSS feed or with our newsletter.

advertisement
 
Privacy Policy | About | Contact © 2023, AuntAnnie.com