With Krea

How to make a pop up card that jumps off the page

To make a pop up card, fold a sheet in half, make two snips of the same length straight in from the fold, and push the strip between them inside the card, so a step jumps out when the card opens. Then glue a small drawing on the front of the step. In this course your kid makes one step, glues a drawing on it, builds a three-step scene where short snips sit at the back and long snips jump far out, and hides the holes inside a folded cover with a message. Krea hosts four short films for kids 6 to 13, and your kid ends with a pop-up card to give to someone. Plan about 4 minutes of films and 30–45 minutes of cutting, drawing, and gluing. On Kubrio, all four films and the quiz are free, with no account.

All 4 films and the quiz are free on this page. Your kid doesn't need an account. See every lesson

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What your kid makes

Your kid ends with a pop-up card: a three-step scene that jumps out when the card opens, inside a decorated cover with a message, ready to give to someone.

Ages
6 to 13
Time
4 films, about 4 minutes, then 30–45 minutes of cutting, drawing, and gluing
You need
Two sheets of paper, scissors, and a grown-up to help, a glue stick, crayons or markers
Host
Krea

The 4 lessons

  1. Lesson 1. Two snips, one pop

    Two snips of the same length, straight in from the fold, make a strip that folds the other way inside the card and jumps out as a step.

    1. Fold a sheet in half and make two snips from the fold, with a grown-up
    2. Crease the strip up, then fold it back down
    3. Push the strip inside, close the card, and open it slowly

    Where: Paper

    Watch it at the top of the page

  2. Lesson 2. Make it stand up

    A small drawing glued on the front of the step stands up when the card opens. If it pokes out when the card closes, it's too big.

    1. Draw something small on another piece of paper and color it
    2. Cut around it, leaving a little white edge
    3. Glue it on the front of the step only, bottom to bottom

    Where: Paper

  3. Lesson 3. Near and far

    Short snips make a step near the back, and long snips make a step that jumps far out, so three steps make a whole scene. Never snip more than halfway to the edge.

    1. Make three steps: short, middle, and long
    2. Glue a tree on the short step, a house on the middle one, and a cat on the long one
    3. Draw a sky, a sun, and a hill on the back

    Where: Paper

  4. Lesson 4. Hide the holes

    A second folded sheet makes the cover and hides the holes. Glue goes on the flat parts only, never on the steps, or they can't jump.

    1. Fold a second sheet and glue the pop-up page inside, flat parts only
    2. Write a message inside
    3. Write Open me on the front and give the card away

    Where: Paper

Take the quiz

Krea asks 3 questions about the films. Get 2 right and you finish the course.

Lesson 1 transcript: Two snips, one pop

  1. Hi, I'm Krea! Today you make a card that jumps out when you open it. Pop!

  2. You need paper and scissors. Fold the paper in half, like a card.

  3. Hold it by the fold. Make two short snips, straight in from the fold. Both the same length. Ask a grown-up to help with the scissors.

  4. Fold the strip between the snips up, and press hard. Then fold it back down.

  5. Now open the card halfway. Push the strip inside, so it folds the other way.

  6. Close the card and press it flat. Now open it slowly. A step jumps out!

  7. Your turn. Fold a sheet in half, make two snips, and push the strip inside. Then press Next.

Free guides to practise with

Questions parents ask

Why does the pop-up stick out when the card is closed?

The snips are too long or the drawing is too big. Snips should never go more than halfway to the edge, and a drawing that pokes out needs to be drawn a little smaller. Lessons 2 and 3 show both fixes.

Is this safe for younger kids?

The films ask a grown-up to help with the scissors. The snips are short and straight, and a glue stick is enough for the rest. Younger kids can draw and color while a grown-up makes the snips.

Does my kid need an app or an account?

No. The films play on this page, and the card is made at home with two sheets of paper, scissors, a glue stick, and crayons or markers.

See every course

Free courses · Ages 6–13

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