Advent Window Stars: A Magical Advent Craft to create with children (or on your own)

✨ The Joy of Making Advent Window Stars – A Winter Craft for All Ages ✨

As the days shorten and the soft winter light settles across our homes, many of us instinctively reach for activities that bring comfort, colour, and calm. Winter is the perfect season for slow, mindful crafting – and few projects capture the magic of this time of year quite like Advent Window Stars.

These delicate, glowing stars are made from folded squares of coloured transparent paper. When the pieces are arranged in a circular pattern and placed on a window, the light shines through the layers, revealing beautiful shapes and hidden geometric patterns. The effect is gentle, luminous, and quietly enchanting – a little bit of winter wonder you can create with your own hands.

✂️ A Craft to Share – From Small Hands to Patient Folders

One of the loveliest things about making Window Stars is how inclusive it is. Whether you are crafting with young children, keen crafters, or reluctant teenagers who secretly enjoy a bit of quiet making, there is always a star design to match the mood. It is a perfect advent craft for this cosy time of year.

⭐ For small hands

Simpler stars, with broad folds and bold shapes, are perfect for children. The folding is straightforward, the colours are vibrant, and the results are instant and satisfying. Children love the moment when their folded pieces begin to form a star – and the transformation is magical when they hold it up to the window for the first time.

⭐ For growing confidence

As children gain confidence, they can try patterns that involve a few more folds or pieces. These designs are wonderful for practising fine motor skills, patience, and gentle accuracy, all while creating something beautiful.

⭐ For adults and seasoned makers

There are also stars that invite deep focus and precision. These offer a peaceful, meditative rhythm: fold, crease, turn, repeat. Watching a complex star slowly reveal itself through careful layering is incredibly rewarding – a creative pause in the middle of winter busyness.

My family enjoys making a new batch of stars each Advent, building a little constellation over the years.

🌟 Crafting as a Gift – A Star That Lasts All Year

Window Stars also make the most charming little presents. They slip easily inside a Christmas card, turning a simple note into a thoughtful gift. A star kit tucked into a card feels like a tiny envelope of promise – a moment of peace someone can enjoy during the winter rush.

I get a little rush of joy each time I go to visit a friend and see the star that I sent last Christmas (or even 2 or 3 Christmases ago) still sitting in their window.

And unlike so many festive decorations, these stars aren’t just for Christmas. Many people keep them on their windows all year long, letting the sun bring their colours to life through every season. A handmade star is something that lingers… and so the giver is remembered every time it catches the light.

🌈 Ready to Give It a Try?

Here I’ve shared instructions for creating a very simple star – a lovely way to begin, especially if you’re making it with a child. Once you’ve tried one, it’s easy to see why this tradition is beloved in many countries: it’s calming, creative, and quietly joyful.

I made this star in white transparent paper, you can make it in any colour, or use a rainbow of colours!

The paper you need is ideally semi transparent, something like tissue paper. You need 8 squares of paper, I generally use 10cm squares (4 inches) which creates a star 28cm (11 inches) in diameter. Tissue paper is susceptible to damp and not as long lasting as kite paper, however it is a good alternative to kite paper which is harder to find in the UK. Kite paper is a lightly waxed, semi- transparent paper which keeps a precise fold and lies flat. You can find it seasonally on Amazon, or specialist retailers, it is expensive and often comes in large blocks. That will make you many stars for many years though! If you want a simpler and cheaper alternative - please see my star packs in the SHOP.

How to Make a Simple Window Star

You need 8 squares of paper. They should all be the same size. Accuracy will make a difference to your finished result.

Some glue - I use a tiny amount of pva glue, applied with a tiny paintbrush

Fold square in half diagonally, unfold to show crease line.

Fold in points B to the crease line. Try to get a neat point at A.

Fold 8 squares in the same manner. Using a small dab of glue, stick down each corner flap (point B).

Make up the star with point X at the centre. 

Taking each folded square in turn, match the centres, and line the edge of the folded square along the centre crease line of the shape underneath.  Use small dabs of glue to fix the shapes.  Continue around the star until all 8 pieces have been placed.  To fix the last piece in place, lift the first piece and slide half of the eighth piece into place underneath.  Fix with small dabs of glue.

If you find yourself wanting to explore more designs or colours for your own Advent Craft, I also make a range of handmade Advent Window Star Kits, each containing transparent paper and instructions for different star patterns. You can browse all 11 designs here:👉 https://www.theyarngenie.com/category/all-products

Wishing you a peaceful, colourful, star-filled Advent. ✨