How to Make Playing Cards at Home

Card games are a fun way to spend an afternoon. However, if you don't have a pack of cards handy, you can make your own. Making your own cards at home is a fun activity to do with the kids. It can save you money, as well as help you create personalized cards that your family will love to play with. Follow these instructions to make your own playing cards.

Things You'll Need

• Cardstock
• Markers
• Scissors or a paper trimmer
• Laminate paper

Instructions

1. Use your scissors or paper cutter to cut out 52 rectangles that are 2 1/2 by 3 1/2 inches. To speed up your time, layer the cardstock so that you can cut out more than one card at a time.

2. 

   Label the cards. For a full deck, you'll need four of each card, one in each of the following: heart, club, diamond and spade. Make cards 2 through 10, Jack, Queen, King and Ace.

3. Decorate or draw the symbols on each card. If you want your cards to look authentic, copy the designs from a standard deck of cards.

4. Place the cards face up on laminate paper. Fold the laminate paper over both sides of the card, and then trim the excess to fit.

Tips & Warnings

• If you'd like to add two Jokers to your deck, cut out two more rectangles. You can make your cards jumbo-sized for little hands, or even glue pictures of your family members on them to personalize them.