Homemade Card Ideas for Kids

Give your child crafting supplies for making cards.

Card making can be a simple craft for kids. Little artists can create cards for any holiday or occasion while showcasing their talent. Whether entertaining a group of kids or just one, making homemade cards is a relatively inexpensive way to spend time together and let creativity run wild. Gather ideas that will excite young crafters and be sure to have plenty of supplies on-hand.

Things You'll Need

• Construction paper
• Scissors
• Potato
• Metal cookie cutter
• Non-toxic craft paint
• Foam plate
• Calligraphy pens
• Invisible tape
• Cookie sheet
• Plastic cup
• Paintbrush
• Damp sponge
• Orange stick
• Cotton swabs
• Envelopes

Instructions

Potato Shapes

1. Fold construction paper sheets in half horizontally. Cut them down by trimming the edges with scissors until cards are the size you want. Do this for young children who cannot handle scissors.

2. Slice a potato into ½-inch pieces. Give your child a metal cookie cutter. Shapes like stars and hearts are popular choices.

3. Instruct the child to press the cookie cutter down into the center of the slice to make a shape.

4. Help the child loosen the shape from the potato slice.

5. Squirt non-toxic craft paint into a foam plate.

6. Have the child dip the potato shape in the paint then press the painted potato onto the card. The child can make a pattern or just press on one or two shapes.

7. Allow the paint to dry completely, about an hour. Use calligraphy pens to write the child's name on the card and a special message like "Happy Birthday" or "Merry Christmas." Older children can do this independently.

Tray Prints

1. Tape a 3- by 4-inch rectangle onto an old cookie sheet. Use wrapping paper tape to make the rectangle.

2. Prepare the card by folding your craft paper into the size you want. For this project, cards should be portrait style with the short sides on the top and bottom. Select a paper color that will contrast with the paint color you have selected.

3. Squirt some craft paint into a plastic cup.

4. Use your paintbrush to brush the paint over the taped area.

5. Wipe the edges of the tape with a damp sponge.

6. Draw a figure in the paint while it is still damp. Use an orange stick or cotton swab to draw a Christmas tree, happy face or a present.

7. Press the blank cards, one at a time, on to the wet paint. Press straight down and then pick it up. Allow the paint to dry for one hour before writing your note inside.

Tips & Warnings

• Select the envelopes you will use for your cards first. Use the envelopes as a guide for determining the card's size.

References

• The Best Homemade Card Ideas: Homemade Card Ideas
• Kids Craft Weekly: Easy Christmas Card Ideas