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37 DIY Ideas for Making Pop-Up Cards

Here are ideas for pop-up greeting cards perfect for any holiday.

Here are ideas for pop-up greeting cards perfect for any holiday.

Understanding Pop-Up Mechanisms

Pop-up greeting cards aren’t difficult to make once you understand how the pop-up mechanism works. They are great for any occasion.

I spent a couple of days searching for pop-up card crafts that included instructions and templates, and I think I’ve found a nice variety that you will love.

Instructions for making the card pictured above can be found at Easy Peasy and Fun. It is a great option for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and Valentine’s Day. Below is a list of many more pop-up card ideas.

The birthday card cake

The birthday card cake

1. Birthday Cake Card

This beautiful layered cake card would be appropriate for a birthday, Fourth of July, Christmas, graduation, or thank you card. It screams, "Let's celebrate!" You'll find the information needed to make this card at Jennifer Maker.

Flower card

Flower card

2. Flower Card

You can find a very good step-by-step tutorial for making the flower used in this card on this wikiHow site explaining how to make a pop-up flower.

Easter chick pop-up card

Easter chick pop-up card

3. Easter Chick Pop-Up Card

Aren't these some cute little Easter chicks? You'll find the tutorial for making these cards at RedTed Art.

Valentine heart card

Valentine heart card

4. Valentine Heart Card

I really like this Valentine's card. It's so simple yet looks so elegant. This is a very easy card to make, and the kids are sure to have a great time crafting it. Find the instructions for making this Valentine's card at Ao at Home.

Easter egg card

Easter egg card

5. Easter Egg Card

This is a super cute Easter card that is easy to make and so bright and cheerful that anyone who receives it is sure to be thrilled. Find the information you need to make this card at Kitchen Floor Crafts.

Christmas tree card

Christmas tree card

6. Christmas Tree Card

Making this Christmas tree card is a lot simpler than it looks. The tutorial shown at WikiHow uses white paper, but you can use green to enhance the look. The little red balls add a lot of detail, too.

Vote card

Vote card

7. Vote Card

Doing our civic duty includes voting, so send a gentle reminder with this pop-up card. Go to Babble Dabble Do for the instructions.

8. Father's Day Tie Card

Below is a video on how to make a tie card for Father's Day.

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Underwater Father's Day card

Underwater Father's Day card

9. Underwater Father's Day Card

The uses for a pop-up card like this are numerous. Once your imagination juices are flowing, you'll think of other occasions for this card. Instructions showing how to make this ocean-themed card can be found at Holiday Crafts.

Turkey card

Turkey card

10. Turkey Card

Here's a card the kids will love making for Thanksgiving. It could also serve as a classroom art project. Go to Mom Endeavors to find all the information you'll need to make this turkey card.

Valentine heart chain card

Valentine heart chain card

11. Valentine Heart Chain Card

This is a very nice card for the kids to make for Valentine’s Day. It is a very easy card to make, and it’s cute as a button. To make this card, follow the instructions found at Aunt Annie’s Crafts. A template is included with the tutorial, and many more pop-up card projects can be found on the website.

Bee card

Bee card

12. Bee Card

Let this little bee be all he can be–not only for Valentine's Day but for other important days that deserve a card. Go to the Yahoo! Makers site for instructions.

Moving stem and flower card

Moving stem and flower card

13. Moving Stem and Flower Card

The tutorial for this card can be found at The Little Green Box. There are a number of other projects on this site, too. Check them out.

14. Greeting Card

Below is a casual pop-up card for casual and ordinary greetings.

"You make my heart pop" card.

"You make my heart pop" card.

15. "You Make My Heart Pop" Card

Preschoolers and toddlers could make this simple and easy pop-up card. The instructions can be found at Make and Takes.

how-to-make-pop-up-cards

16. Celebration Card

There doesn't seem to be a celebration that doesn't lend itself to the use of balloons. Find the directions to make this card at Oh Happy Day!

how-to-make-pop-up-cards

17. Mother's Day Card

This little hen and chick card is so sweet, and I think it would bring tears to any Mother's eyes. The directions for making this card can be found at Krokotac.

how-to-make-pop-up-cards

18. Snowman Greeting Card

What fun it would be to make Christmas cards with the kids! You can find the tutorial at My Kid Craft. Anyone who receives this card will be impressed and appreciative. Add a little glitter to the snowman for extra sparkle.

how-to-make-pop-up-cards

19. Pile of Gifts Card

This is the perfect little card to give on a Christmas or a birthday celebration. Find the tutorial for making this pile of gifts card at The Little Green Box. It is very easy and very cute and colorful.

how-to-make-pop-up-cards

20. I (Love) U Card

Cut carefully when making the letters for this pop-up. You want a nice clean look, which can be difficult–especially for kids. Go to The Idea King for the tutorial on how to make this card.

how-to-make-pop-up-cards

21. Gender Reveal Card

A very cute way to make the reveal announcement for the new family member. You'll find the instructions for this pop up card at Project Nursery.

how-to-make-pop-up-cards

22. "I Love You, Mom!" Card

These are easy to make and come with printable templates. All you have to do is cut and paste for this project. Find the instructions at Aunt Annie’s Crafts.

how-to-make-pop-up-cards

23. Monster Hug Card

I really like the fact that this monster starts out with a drop of paint. After the paint has been dropped, you take a straw and blow on it to create unique monsters. Find the directions for making this card at Housewife Eclectic.

24. Surprise Card

how-to-make-pop-up-cards

25. Animals in Love Card

Print the animals on colored paper, or print them on white paper and color them in with crayons, colored pencils, or markers. You can find the templates and directions for these at Krokotac.

how-to-make-pop-up-cards

26. Cat Card

A perfect pop up card for cat lovers. The tutorial for making this card can be found at Red Ted Art.

how-to-make-pop-up-cards

27. Flower Bouquet Card

If you have neglected making a card until the last minute, you can still easily make this bouquet of paper flowers. The templates and instructions for this card can be found at BuzzFeed.

how-to-make-pop-up-cards

28. Easy Mother's Day Card

I think the little kids would really love making this card. There's painting, cutting, and pasting involved, so they are very immersed in the creation process. Go to Totschooling to see how easy this card is to make.

how-to-make-pop-up-cards

29. "I Love Mom" Card

Free silhouette cut files is included with the instructions for this card. You'll find all the information you need at One Dog Woof.

how-to-make-pop-up-cards

30. Monster Shark Card

You'll find directions for making this cute pop up card at Easy Peasy and Fun. The kids will love this one.

how-to-make-pop-up-cards

31. Rainbow Card

This is a cute card the kids will love making. You'll find the instructions for the rainbow card at I Heart Crafty Things.

how-to-make-pop-up-cards

32. Slider Card

Find the tutorial for making this beautiful slider card at Cards, Crafts, Kids Projects.

how-to-make-pop-up-cards

33. Bunny Easter Card

I love all the beautiful pastel colors associated with Easter. Have fun making the sweet pop up card by following the directions at I Heart Crafty Things.

how-to-make-pop-up-cards

34. Graduation Card

Make unique and cool graduation cards by following the tutorial found at Extreme Cards and Papercrafting.

how-to-make-pop-up-cards

35. Congrats to Graduate

If you love to make the cards to give, this is a great graduation card. Find the instructions at Karen Burniston.

Pop-up Card Crafting Lessons

Everything you have ever wanted to know about making pop-ups can be found at the Extreme Cards and Papercrafting site. This site shows all the different ways to make pop-ups.

More Templates from Cool Creativities

There are 18 different templates for pop-up cards on this site. Go to Cool Creativities for templates and directions for different cards.

how-to-make-pop-up-cards

36. Turkey Pop-Up

The kids will be able to make their own Thanksgiving cards using the instructions at Artsy Crafts Mom.

37. How to Make a Pop Up Gnome Card

© 2015 Loraine Brummer

What do you think? Do you want to make pop-up cards? or leave a comment

Krishang on July 20, 2020:

This is amazing

And axelant

And so arts

Elle Natasha Jeffrey on May 15, 2020:

Thank you for sharing..

best online trainings on December 23, 2018:

Thank you for the information.

Hermione Granger on November 06, 2018:

Brilliant ideas! Just brilliant!

Lillian Roberts on October 31, 2018:

I am going to try to make one

Jennel Cerezo on September 24, 2018:

You got a great work!

Loraine Brummer (author) from Hartington, Nebraska on July 12, 2018:

Click on the highlighted words, or site name, under the picture. You will be taken directly to the site with the directions.

Misbah on July 12, 2018:

where is the link

diya saini on May 10, 2017:

I love to make an cards..I want make more and more

Melanie on November 27, 2016:

Got some very good ideas flowing now. Thanks for the 411

Melanie Mills

Loraine Brummer (author) from Hartington, Nebraska on June 16, 2015:

Hi peachpurple! I'm glad you found a card that you want to make among the choices in this article. I love the pop up cards.

peachy from Home Sweet Home on June 14, 2015:

i am going to make fathers day card that one of the site you had recommended. Very easy to follow, thanks

Loraine Brummer (author) from Hartington, Nebraska on June 09, 2015:

Hi RTalloni! Thanks for your nice comment about the pop up cards. I think I could get really hooked on making them too. I know I'll be making the Christmas tree one. I like it that so many of them can be made to suit whatever occasion you need a card for, with just small changes.

RTalloni on June 09, 2015:

When I made the discovery that pop up cards are much easier to make than they look I was hooked. Thanks for a great line up here. I made the Puppy Ears card at the beginning of the year and it was fun stuff. :) Will be referring to this hub again.

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