Converting a 2D paper net into a 3D cube successfully, takes steady hands, patience and a good eye, not to mention expert scissor and gluing skills. Although challenging, the process presents oodles of art and math fun in the classroom or at home, learning together. My name is Craig and I am Elliot’s dad. In this blog post, I walk you through making 3D cubes and support the process with photos and a video tutorial, where Elliot, age 6 at the time, and I have a go. Should you find this activity as irresistible as we do, links at the end of this post will take you to our store pages to peruse and purchase our 3D shape products.

The Connections

No matter which country, or which curriculum, learning about 3D shapes and their properties are common outcomes for children from Kindergarten onward. Early stages include identifying and playing with real world examples of 3D shapes, comparing the

similarities and differences between them, and later, learning the names of 3D shapes. Early learning helps set the stage for a deeper, more complex dive into the world of geometry math.

piggy-banks from cuboids. Or, perhaps just simply adding colour to paper shape designs is enough to set alight the imagination on a rainy, indoor day. School units involving structures are a great way to make 3D shape math connections. While at home, learning about 3D shapes can parachute you into a creative craft transforming cubes into giant dice , or making your ownfrom cuboids. Or, perhaps just simply adding colour to paper shape designs is enough to set alight the imagination on a rainy, indoor day.

The Process

Along with written steps and supporting photos, watch and take advantage of our How to Make 3D Shapes video tutorial, where Elliot and I demonstrate how to convert a cube paper net into a 3D shape.

Cutting

Apart from having a go often, and joining the fun cutting, folding, gluing and designing together, there are also top tips to offer as a way to help nurture success. First, encourage a warm up by cutting out the shape with a wide boundary, ignoring any lines to begin with. Modelling this with your own is a big help.

Begin by cutting out a big oval around the shape. Next, cut from the perimeter of the oval, aiming to cut along a solid, black line. When you cut to an intersection or corner, stop and pull the scissors out and start again from the outside of the oval.

Elliot and I find it much easier to turn the oval and cut with scissors pointing straight ahead, rather then turning scissors or the shape from within. Cutting away the perimeter pieces first and then working towards the finer bits also helps. When cutting, try with small snips, not opening the blades to wide. We find the wider the jaws of the scissor blades, the harder it is to close and cut along lines.

Folding

Once the outline of the shape is cut, start making the edges by folding the twelve dashed lines. We find it easier, turning the paper net line side down with the blank side facing up to start. Lift up each side or surface and fold it over slowly until you can see the dashed line. Gently use your fingers to push down until you

can make an edge running along the dashed line. Once you are satisfied, run a finger-nail along the edge to make a definitive crease. Repeat for all dashed lines.

When you think you have all twelve edges folded, try manipulating the shape together. It should be relatively easy to do. If an edge is round, a fold has been missed. All edges folded with nice creases and running closely if not directly on each dashed line, definitely makes gluing the cube much easier.

Gluing

When you are satisfied with all the folded edges, start gluing tabs to surfaces. We recommend using glue sticks, but white glue is also fine. Just make sure not to put too much glue on the tabs. We also find it is much easier to apply glue to the face of each tab and glue tabs to the inside of each surface.

The trickiest bit is the lid. To complete the shape you need to run the glue along three tabs and manipulate the tabs so they close on the inside of the surfaces. The tabs should push out against the walls and stick. This might take a couple of goes.

The Result

After construction, use the recording portion of the worksheet to record the number of points (corners), edges (lines) and surfaces (sides). There are many things that you can do with a cube, or indeed several cubes, including making super cool structures.

Colouring before folding and gluing and attaching fishing line to a finished cube can make pretty ceiling art in a bedroom, playroom and classroom. If you wish to use felt pens, paint, or papier-mâché as we do, consider printing shapes on thicker card stock so the sides or surfaces can sustain the weight. Elliot and I cover ours with papier-mâché and when dry, paint them white before adding colour and dots to make giant dice. Make sure to check out the action, and watch – How to Make Giant Dice from 3D Cubes for Kids

Store Products

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