Make a small paper fan by folding a rectangular sheet back and forth into an accordion, bending the compressed strip in half, and joining the two inner panels. When you spread the pleats, the sheet opens into a fan. This simple version needs no wooden handle, special template or cutting machine.
Choose paper that will fold without fighting back
Ordinary printer paper or light craft paper is a useful starting point. Very thick cardstock makes the central bend bulky; very thin tissue can tear when you open the pleats. Start with a plain sheet so you can see how the folds line up before experimenting with textured or shiny papers.
For a first try, use one 8½ × 11-inch sheet and pleats about ½ inch wide. A4 paper also works. These are convenient starting sizes, not exact requirements.
You will also need a glue stick or clear tape and a clean work surface. A ruler and pencil can help you mark the first fold. If children are taking part, an adult can demonstrate the first few folds; the basic project does not require scissors.
Decorate while the sheet is flat
Add simple dots, stripes or small drawings before folding. Large lettering may disappear into the pleats, so treat this as a pattern rather than a sign. Use dry drawing materials or allow wet decoration to dry completely. Damp paper can buckle and stick to itself as you crease it.
Keep extra layers to a minimum. Thick glued-on shapes near the future center make the hinge hard to bend. If you want an embellished version, finish a plain fan first and use it to see where a small lightweight decoration could sit without blocking the folds.
Fold an even accordion
Lay the sheet with a short edge nearest you. Fold that edge up by your chosen pleat width and press the crease across the sheet. Turn the sheet over. Fold the next strip back in the opposite direction, matching the width of the first. Keep turning and folding until the whole sheet forms a compressed zigzag strip.
Check the ends every few folds. If one edge is drifting, open the newest fold and realign it before continuing. A slightly narrower final strip is fine for a first fan; exact divisibility is less important than consistent folds through most of the sheet. Press the completed stack gently between your hands.
Bend the strip in half
Bring the two ends of the long compressed strip together. The bend should be halfway along its length. Pinch that central bend firmly while keeping the pleats stacked. Open the two halves slightly, like a narrow V, and identify the two panels that face each other on the inside.
The Peabody Essex Museum’s Paper Picnic activity uses this same foundation: narrow accordion folds, a fold at the center, and glue or tape joining the inner edges. Here, that folded shape becomes the complete fan rather than the base of a larger scene.
Join the inner panels and open the fan
Apply a thin coat of glue to one of the two facing inner panels. Bring them together with their ends aligned and press along the join. Alternatively, use a small piece of clear tape to join the facing edges. Keep adhesive off the surrounding pleats so they can still expand.
Let the adhesive set according to its instructions. Hold the lower folded area and gently spread the outer edges apart. Ease any tightly compressed pleats open with your fingertips. Avoid pulling only on the upper corners: that puts stress on the paper rather than helping the hinge unfold.
Fix uneven folds or a center that comes apart
If the fan opens lopsided, compare the two halves before pulling harder. A bend away from the midpoint creates unequal sides. For a fresh fan, reposition the bend before applying adhesive. Once a glued piece has dried, forcing it apart may tear it; starting another sheet is often cleaner.
If the center seam separates, close the fan and reattach the clean inner panels with a small amount of adhesive. If several pleats stick together, let any wet glue dry and separate them carefully. Avoid adding more glue across the open face. If the paper tears at the hinge, try lighter paper and make a gentler bend on the next attempt.
Store it closed and try a matching project
Close the fan along its existing pleats and store it where it will not be crushed. Hold it near the bottom fold when using it. This is a light paper craft, so keep it dry and handle it gently. For coordinated decorations, try our paper-chain guide or use the same accordion-fold practice to make tissue-paper flowers.
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