Pop-Up Cards
Learn the basic cut-and-fold mechanism that makes a shape pop up when a card opens. Two simple cuts and a fold creates a 3D stage — children can then add any scene they like.
Paper Crafts
Ages 6–1140 minsMediumIndividual
Watch on YouTube
Search: "easy pop up card tutorial kids step by step beginner" — video tutorials from popular craft channels
What you'll need
- Card (A4, folded in half to A5)
- Scissors
- Pencil and ruler
- Coloured pencils, markers, or collage materials
- Glue
How to do it
- Fold a piece of card in half.
- On the fold, measure and mark two parallel cuts from the fold — both the same length (about 3cm). They should be 3-4cm apart.
- Fold the cut tab forward on both sides of the fold, crease sharply, then unfold.
- Open the card and push the tab through to the inside — it should pop forward when the card opens.
- Add a background inside the card.
- Draw, colour, and cut out a character or object, glue it to the popped tab.
💡 Tips
Practise the basic mechanism on a scrap before using good paper. Once children understand the mechanism, they can make more complex pop-ups by repeating cuts at different depths.
Books and materials
Convenience links for everything mentioned above. We link to Amazon — LessonKind may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.