Cut Paper Symmetry “Pop-Out” Card

This is a fun card to make for any occasion... just vary the colors you use and the shapes you cut to suit the holiday or theme! The pop-out feature inside (see below) is an added bonus!

Front of Card:

• 9” x 12” construction paper (this will form the “base” of your card)
• 3” x 9” paper in a contrasting color
• scissors and glue

1. Fold the 9” x 12” paper in half horizontally, to form the base of your card.
2. Fold the 3” x 9” paper in half vertically, then open it up and fold it in half horizontally. Open again. This will aid you in creating a symmetrical design.
3. Cut shapes from the 3” x 9” paper along each edge as well as in the middle of the paper, folding in half where helpful to make the cuts. This step can be kept very simple for young children or made more complex for older ones.
4. Glue the section you cut the pieces from onto the right side of the front your card, aligning the edges.
5. Now lay the cut-outs back into their original places and draw a small “x” in pencil on each one (so you’ll know which side to put the glue on).
6. Place a small amount of glue onto the “x” side of each of the cut-out pieces, then flip each one over and place it onto the left side of the card in reverse symmetry.
   

Inside of Card:

• 9”x12” construction paper, in a contrasting color to the base of your card
• scissors and glue

1. Fold your paper in half horizontally.
2. With your paper still folded, fold it again about 2” from the fold.
3. Unfold the second fold and cut simple shapes into the first folded edge, being careful not to cut beyond your second fold line. (You can mimic some of the shapes you cut on the front if you want to unify your design.)
4. Now, push this first fold to the inside, so that you see an “M” or a “W” shape when you look at your paper from the edge.
5. Glue the inside of your card to the base of the card, matching corners and leaving the center section folded into the middle.