Making a Hexa-hexaflexagon

Coloring the Hexa-hexaflexagon

Start with a strip of paper about 20" by 1½" and fold it using the triangle pattern. Cut off the ends leaving 19 triangles. Color the triangles using any 6 colors in the pattern shown below. All triangles with the same number must be the same color. (Don't write the numbers in the triangles; they are only for reference when coloring and folding.)

Folding the Hexa-hexaflexagon

Fold and glue the hexa-hexaflexagon as described and shown below.

1. Place the strip so that it slants upward and to the right with the side with colors 1, 2, and 3 face up. Fold the long strip back at A (it now points down), and then up at B.
2. Repeat the previous step with the long strip pointing upwards.
3. Continue to repeat the previous folds until it is a single strip with a spiral-like fold from end-to-end.
4. Fold back the right part of the strip as shown in the figure.
5. Fold back the bottom of the strip as shown in the figure.
6. Tuck the single triangle underneath the strip that was folded back in step 5.
7. Fold back the triangle protruding and glue to the back of the triangle tucked underneath in step 6.

Once it is assembled, try flexing the hexa-hexafleagon to show all six faces!