Fun Construction Paper Card Ideas

Pop-Up Card

Cut a 9- by 12-inch sheet of construction paper in half to get two 6-by-9 pieces. Fold both pieces in half for two top-fold card shapes measuring 6 inches across and 4 1/2 inches tall. On one of the cards, measure 1 1/2 inches from one end of the folded edge and make a straight perpendicular cut about 2 inches long, from the folded edge toward the free opening edge of the card. Repeat this from the other end of the fold, so you end up with two parallel cuts into the fold, about 3 inches apart. Open the card and push the center portion, between the cuts, to the inside, creasing it well. The closed card should now look like a squared-off, shallow “U” shape, with the fold at the top. When you open the card, a pop-up layer projects into the card's interior. Decorate the pop-up layer with construction paper cutouts and glue: a flower garden, a house, paper people and animals, a cluster of hearts–whatever suits the purpose of the card. Use the space above and below the pop-up layer to write your greeting. Finally, glue the decorated pop-up card inside the other card, decorating the outside with whatever artwork and sentiments you wish.

Animal Stand-Up Card

Fold a sheet of construction paper in half, for a top-folding card measuring 9 inches across and 6 inches high. Draw the outline of an animal, such as a cat or an elephant, on the front of the card, taking up the entire area and touching all four edges. Especially on the folded edge, make sure some parts of the head, back and tail use the paper's edge for part of the outline. Cut out the animal shape, leaving areas intact along the fold. Decorate the animal with cut or torn construction paper pieces, giving it a face and whatever markings you like. Write your greeting on the inside.

Choose-Your-Own-Greeting Card

Cut circles from two contrasting colors of construction paper, one about 6 or 7 inches in diameter, and the other 1 to 1 1/2 inches larger. Poke a hole in the center through both layers. Cut a small, off-center rectangular window in the smaller circle, and write above it the first part of a fill-in-the-blank greeting or sentiment, such as “I think you're” or “Get well soon so you can.” On the larger circle, arrange sentence-completing words and phrases so that they will show through the window as the wheel is turned. You can write your own, or cut words from magazines. Be as sentimental or as silly as the occasion calls for. Put a paper fastener through the center hole and finish decorating the front of the card as you see fit.