Keep six faces
Gold squares stay fixed and teal squares can be added or removed.
Cube Net Folder
Arrange six connected squares and test whether they fold onto distinct faces of a cube.
Grades 3–5 · Geometry
Your goal
Keep the gold squares and add faces to make a six-square cube net. Check the fold to test whether any faces overlap.
Reduced motion is on. The controls still update the scene.
4 of six faces placed. Add or remove teal squares, then use Check the fold to test the arrangement. Selected square is row 1, column 1.
Tap squares or use the row, column and toggle controls. The fold test carries a 3D frame across every joined edge, checks for conflicting cycles and requires six unique outward directions. The cube preview shows its three visible faces after a successful fold.
Related resources
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Learn with Cube Net Folder
Cube Net Folder lets upper elementary students complete arrangements of squares and test their spatial predictions. Some gold faces stay fixed, and learners add or remove teal faces on a five by five board. The fold check follows shared edges in three dimensions, reports disconnected pieces or conflicting folds and detects faces that would overlap on the same cube side. A successful arrangement produces a folded cube preview. Students can revise their layouts and explain why six connected squares are necessary but do not always make a working cube net.
What to look for
Connect along edges
Squares touching only at a corner do not form a folding connection.
Check the fold
The test checks connected faces, conflicting edge loops and overlapping cube sides.
For teachers and curious learners
Explain why connected squares form a cube net only when all six folded faces occupy different sides. Ask students to predict what will happen, change one setting, and explain what they observe. Learn gives a starting point. Practice and Challenge offer new goals with the same scene.
A breadth first fold carries an orthonormal 3D face frame across each shared edge. A valid net has six connected squares, consistent shared edge orientations and six unique outward face normals. The preview shows the three visible cube faces, without animation or paper thickness.