How to Make Your Own Icosahedron

Place a 9-by-12-inch sheet of construction paper horizontally on the table. Measure 3 9/16 inches down from the top of the paper and draw a 10-inch horizontal line, ending ½ inch from the edge on the right side of the paper. Measure 3 9/16 inches up from the bottom of the paper and draw a 10-inch horizontal line, ending ½ inch from the edge on the left side of the paper. The two lines should run parallel to each other and be spaced 1¾ inches apart. Make marks at 2-inch intervals on both of the lines, dividing each line into five sections.

Turn the paper 90 degrees clockwise, so the left side is now at the top. Draw a 2-inch line to connect the tops of the vertical lines. Draw a 2-inch line to connect the top of the right-side vertical line to the first 2-inch interval mark on the left-side vertical line. Continue to draw 2-inch lines, connecting the 2-inch interval marks, in a zigzag pattern, down the space in the middle of the two vertical lines, creating equilateral triangles. Draw a 2-inch line connecting the bottoms of the two vertical lines to create the 10th equilateral triangle.

Draw 2-inch lines in a zigzag fashion on the outside of the left-side vertical line to create equilateral triangles that will mirror the triangles on the inside of the left-side vertical line. Use an extra sheet of construction paper as a square to get the outside triangle tips in just the right place. Align the left edges of the papers and slide the extra top sheet down until you see the far tip of the triangle you are drawing the mirror shape of. Repeat to create five triangles on the outside of the right-side vertical line.

Draw a rectangular gluing tab 1½ inches long by 3/8 inches high along the top edge of the top triangle on the far right. Repeat on the second, third, fourth and fifth triangles on the outer sides of each of the vertical lines. Repeat on the bottom edge of the bottom triangle on the far left. Repeat again on the bottom edge of the bottom triangle in the middle of the two vertical lines.

Color or paint each triangle of the icosahedron, if desired. Cut along the outside edges of the entire shape, taking care to not cut off the gluing tabs. Fold creases along each of the lines, including along the tabs.

Pull the bottom middle gluing tab to the back and upward, creating a loop, and attach the tab to the inside of the top middle triangle with glue or tape. Attach each of the five tabs on the right side of the icosahedron to the inside of the triangle next to it. Repeat on the left side.