DLTK's Crafts for Kids
Polish Wycinanki

Easy wycinanki Click here to see a larger photo of the easier Wycinanki or here to see a larger photo of the more difficult Wycinanki. Close the photo windows when done viewing to return to this screen.

Wycinanki is a traditional Polish folk art. These folk paper cutouts were used in the 1800's by Polish peasants to decorate their houses. They usually hung these decorations on white walls and along ceiling beams to make the house more cheery. The cutouts are symmetrical with nature designs and geometric shapes (and lots of roosters). They are also used for occasions such as Christmas (maybe a symmetrical christmas tree shape). They are also sometimes layered (different coloured cutouts placed one on top of another) to make a more intricate design.

Oh, and I think the Gwiazdy stars are just one of the many forms of Wycinanki, but I'm not 100% sure about that...

Materials:

a printer,
paper,
scissors.

Instructions:

Print out the template of your choice.
- The easy Wycinanki template can be completed by ages 4 thru 7 and provides good cutting practice.
- The hard Wycinanki can be completed by ages 8+.
- For more creativity, skip the templates and let the children design their own! (perhaps make the templates prior to the lesson and show them to the kids to provide a little guidance/inspiration)
Fold template in half using the dotted line as a guide.
Cut out the grey pieces (they will be discarded).
Unfold. The remaining white piece is your Wycinanki! (complete with rooster).
If you want to set it off nicely, glue your finished Wycinanki onto a red construction paper backing (or other color if you prefer). You can even frame and hang on your wall or give as a gift.

Templates:

Close the template window after printing to return to this screen.
Set page margins to zero if you have trouble fitting the template on one page (FILE, PAGE SETUP or FILE, PRINTER SETUP in most browsers).

Easy Wycinanki template for any printer

Hard Wycinanki template for any printer

Print friendly version of these instructions