Kite paper is fairly accessible, although you may have to special order it from your favorite art store. It also comes in larger sizes that you can cut down to get custom sheets. I like to cut even the 6″ sheets down when I make the more elaborate decorations, though–even a 3″x3″ square can really cover some real estate when you start overlapping them to make those big starbursts! Below, check out my list of some of my favorite kite paper window decorations. I’ve roughly ordered them from easiest to most challenging, but they’re all fairly easy to make. Pretty soon, your windows are all going to look so pretty!
Eight-Point Basic Star
This basic star pattern is a great one to start even younger kids with, as the folds are very simple but the result is stunning! Kids especially like to play around with color choice here, which is great because the sunlight will mix the colors that overlap, giving everyone some bonus science and art theory content.
Heart
Each of these hearts uses two squares of kite paper–I think they look the nicest with two of the same color, but let your own imagination be your guide!
Window Flower
You do have to cut your starting papers into rectangles, but afterwards the folding instructions are pretty simple. There’s not a ton of overlap on the petals, either, which makes the finished flower fairly forgiving. Nobody will notice a few crooked folds!
16-Point Star
At exactly double the points of the most basic eight-point star, this particular version also has a couple more folds thrown in to make it look prettier when the sun shines through it. I love how there’s almost a perfect circle in the center!
Window Valentines
These valentines look MUCH more tricky than they actually are! The secret is to cut out several different heart shapes and then overlap them into one valentine.
Spring Star
This window star does such interesting things with symmetry! I love how the folds aren’t made with bilateral symmetry, but the final shape of each petal is bilaterally symmetrical.
5-Point Window Star
The folding and assembly is surprisingly complicated for how simple this star ends up looking, but such is the way with crafts sometimes! I love that it creates the iconic five-point star, and it’s one of the few stars here that I think looks best made in a single color.
Tulip Wreath
In case you prefer to make things that are a little less abstract than the geometric arrangements that I’m personally obsessed with, here’s a chance for you to make something completely different! This project is meant to resemble a wreath made of tulips, and it looks equally as lovely on a sunny window or on your tablescape wreathing a candle.
Multi-Layered Window Star
The trick to making this intricate-looking window star is cutting the paper to size before you get started. Accurate cutting is super important here!
Hellebore
This one is so fun because instead of creating and layering triangles or diamonds, you’re using SQUARES! I love how even the squares form triangles and diamonds anyway, lol.
Rainbow Star Wreath
Here’s another one with a non-triangle starter shape–this time, you get to start with pentagons! This beautiful wreath is worth the effort, but it IS a lot of effort. You’ll need to cut your starting shapes, then do some additional cutting throughout the process. It’s so worth it, though–look at those stars!
Nautilus Spiral
I’m not gonna lie to you–this one is challenging to prepare, although once you’ve got the paper and template cut, it’s only a matter of folding the paper with the template as your folding aid. This video tutorial helps a LOT. P.S. Do you have a favorite kite paper window decoration that’s not on my list? Tell us about it in the Comments!
