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    You are here: Home / Art and Crafts / Star Tessellation Math Art Project

     

    Star Tessellation Math Art Project

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    Add a little sparkle to your math art projects and STEAM education with star tessellation patterns using a six pointed star! Tessellations are an easy to learn art idea with enough variation possibilities to keep kids interested. Not to mention, repeating and rotating mathematical patterns is surprisingly relaxing.

    Star tessellation examples

    As I did with our heart tessellations project, I'll share multiple ways to tessellate with a single 6 pointed star shape. Plus: these star tessellation ideas are surprisingly adaptable as holiday math art projects! Check out the final photos for holiday ideas.

    Don't miss our newest math art idea: adorable cat tessellations!

    Read on for the full instructions to learn how to make a perfect six pointed star for star and hexagon or star and diamond tessellation drawings.

    (Note: this post contains affiliate links that may earn commission.)

    How to Make a 6 Pointed Star

    Since the first thing you need is a 6 pointed star, let's start with that shall we?

    Gather your materials:

    • Paper. I recommend a heavy paper that is still easy to cut with precision.
    • Compass, like this one
    • Pencil
    • Ruler or other straight edge
    • Eraser (always handy)
    Supplies for drawing a 6 point star: scissors, compass, ruler and pencil

    Instructions:

    1. Draw a circle. Using your compass, draw a circle of any size you wish.

    2. Mark the perimeter. Without changing the width of your compass, place the sharp end of the compass at any point on the circle. As if you are going to draw another circle, mark with a slash the point where the new circle would intersect the existing one.

    Drawing a circle with a compass

    3. Mark 6 points on the perimeter. Continuing around the circle, move the sharp end of the compass to point where the slash meets the circle and repeat step 2 until you have a total of 6 slashes.

    Circle with perimeter markings and compass

    4. Form the triangles. Using your ruler, connect every other point on the circle. This will create two overlapping equilateral triangles.

    Forming a star from two triangles

    5. Cut out your star. Carefully cut out your new 6 pointed star. Because this shape will form the basis of your tessellating stars you want to be as precise and careful as possible.

    Scissors and paper stars

    Now you are ready to tessellate! Watch the video to see how it is done, or follow the written instructions directly below it!

    How to Make Star Tessellations

    What you need:

    • 6-point star cut out
    • Pencil
    • Eraser
    • Paper. For art journaling, this is my go-to journal. I have filled up so many of them!
    • A variety of art supplies (see below)

    Here are some of my favorite art supplies I used to make the tessellations in the video and photos you see:

    • Pan watercolors
    • Pitt Artist pens
    • Sharpies
    • Sakura fine points
    • Colored pencils

    STAR TESSELLATION INSTRUCTIONS

    1. Trace star

      Place star on paper and carefully trace the outline.

    2. Position star to create a star-diamond tessellation

      If you want to create diamonds between your stars position your star so that two points of one star connect to two points of another. Carefully trace around star. two star tessellation

    3. Repeat pattern

      Continue positioning and tracing additional star shapes as shown. Star and diamond tessellation

    4. Create star-hexagon tessellations

      If you want to create hexagons between your stars, position your star so that one point of one star touches a point of a second star in a parallel manner. (See photo)Star and hexagon tessellation

    5. Continue tessellations

      Continue adding additional star shapes as shown.

    6. Bonus tessellation

      Using your star shape, position it atop the hexagon in order to create and trace three diamonds as shown below. (See video for demonstration of how-to)Star hexagon and diamond tessellation

    7. Make it beautiful!

      Using the art supplies of your choices, jazz and sparkle up the star tessellations to your heart's desire!

    8. Explore!

      Can your kids find any other ways to tessellate the 6 pointed star?

    Decorated star tessellations

    Don't want to hide your and your child's gorgeous math art in an art journal. Here are some ideas:

    • Frame it!
    • Create gorgeous handmade wrapping paper
    • Create greeting cards for friends and family
    • Turn it into holiday decorations. With just the right colors, tessellating stars are fit for almost any holiday including Christmas and Hanukkah. (see below)
    Christmas star tessellations
    Star of David tessellations

    More great math art here:

    • Sierpinski fractal pyramid–makes a fun twist on the Christmas tree, too!
    • How to draw spirolaterals–and practice multiplication at the same time!
    • Make a pi city skyline–celebrate irrational numbers!

    Want more STEAM projects? Check out my book!

    steam activities for kids book
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    Comments

    1. Joel says

      December 09, 2019 at 11:18 pm

      I was just wondering where your star tessellation video is. I love this idea!

      Reply
      • Erica says

        December 10, 2019 at 8:27 am

        The video is in the post, I don't know why you are not seeing it. Perhaps your browser is blocking it for some reason? You can watch it, though, on my YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgZqXVmIwZc

        Reply
    2. amelia haitana says

      June 22, 2021 at 7:33 pm

      wow pretty i think they look wonder full and fab

      Reply

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