How to Make Your Own ID for Kids

Gluing a small photo of the child onto the ID will add authenticity.

Creating ID cards is a simple kids' craft appropriate for ages 5 and up. Kids can make and wear their own custom-made ID cards at a day camp, event or birthday party, and then keep them afterward as a memento. Beyond its practical applications, the craft can also support kids' make-believe games by serving as a costume element. Pretend IDs can act as press passes, spy identification, hospital staff cards or detective badges to enhance a child's imaginary forays.

Things You'll Need

• Scissors
• Card stock
• Hole punch
• Markers
• Stickers
• Contact paper
• Lanyard
• Lanyard clip

Instructions

1. Cut card stock into rectangles measuring 4-by-2 1/2 inches. Punch a card near the center of the top edge of each rectangle to make sure the ID card's design does not get damaged later.

2. Let each child write his name on the ID card and decorate it with patterns, drawings and stickers. For play badges, write a fictional business title and organization below the child's name.

3. Cut a rectangle of contact paper 1/4 inch wider than the card and 1/2 inch longer than double the card's height. Position the card on the sticky side of the contact paper 1/8 inch from the bottom and both sides. Press the back of the card against the contact paper, then fold the contact paper over to create a 1/8-inch margin all the way around the card and press the contact paper flat.

4. Re-punch the hole through the contact paper. String a lanyard through the narrow end of the lanyard clip and hook the wider end through the hole in the top of the paper. Place the lanyard around the child's neck to wear.

References

• Family Fun: Funny ID Cards
• Krafty Kid: Superhero ID Card Craft