How to make Christmas Cards with kids-part two (pop-up!)

Sometimes this time of year you are looking for ways to keep kids interested in giving to others, in showing love in the spirit of the season. It is all too easy for any of us, but especially for kids, to think that Christmas is all about what they get on Christmas Day. When you spend time showing them a creative way to brighten someone else's day, there is no need to say anything-they should be automatically motivated to give something away. That's a win-win, because they had fun creating something, and they will bring joy to whoever receives their homemade Christmas card. Plus, they made a fun memory doing something artistic.

Here is an idea for making Christmas cards that is fun to make and fun to give: the ever-popular pop-up Christmas card! 

Making a pop-up card isn't hard. All you need are a few simple supplies: (These are Amazon Associate links-no extra cost to you, just helpful to support Storygalorey-thank you!)

• scrap pieces of colored and white paper
• 2 pieces of construction paper, any colors
• scissors 
• glue, gluestick, or double sided tape
• hole punch
• metallic markers, glitter markers,  or glitter glue (optional, but these are fun!)

Here are the steps, or you can watch the 9 minute video to see exactly how I did it. 

1. Fold both pieces of your construction papers in half. 

2. Draw half a Christmas tree shape (triangle) on the fold of one of the  papers. Draw 1 rectangle "tab" piece on the side of the triangle.

3. Cut out the triangle and tab shape on the fold.

4. Open the folded triangle to reveal a tree shape with 2 tabs. 

5. Using all different colors of scrap paper and a hole punch, punch out lots of colored dots for ornaments or lights to decorate your tree.

6. On your cut-out tree shape, dot all over with glue. Put colored hole-punches on glue dots.

7. Line up fold on tree shape with fold on uncut paper card. Fold back tabs so they are underneath the pop-up tree.

8. With double-sided tape or glue, tape tabs on.

9. Fold card closed to make sure the pop up is positioned so that it closes and opens.

10. Using extra colored paper scraps, decorate the outside of the card. Use metallic or glitter markers to add shine.

Have fun creating Christmas cards and spreading joy! For more art and story ideas, download my free family art calendar!