Maker Monday: Magic Greeting Card

Maker Monday’s Magic Greeting Card is perfect for a trick-or-treat Halloween message! But imagine the possibilities of using the magic technique with birthday cards, Christmas cards, or Mother’s Day cards.

The fun activity comes from the teachers at Avonworth Primary Center.  They recently hosted a Literacy Night for kids which featured the Magic Greeting Card, secret decoders, and spooky stories.

This maker project is a great lesson in math as you equally divide and fold the paper. Other skills include fine motor activities, following direction, and using mind-bending logic. Once you unveil the secret page, adults and kids alike will be obsessed with figuring out how the magic works.

Supplies (for two cards):

3 sheets of 8 1/2-inch-by-11-inch paper

Scissors

Crayons or markers

Take a piece of paper and fold it in half. Open the paper and fold the outer edges in so the paper is divided equally into 4 sections.  Repeat this again with the other two pieces of paper.

Take one of the sheets and fold in half. Then, make 3 cuts along the fold in the center section that are equally spaced.  Make sure you don’t cut past the outer fold. Repeat this step again with one other piece of paper.

Take your third and last sheet and cut along the folds to make four strips of paper.

Take two strips and weave them into one of the papers with the cuts.

Fold the card closed, so that the cover of the card opens with two side-by-side “doors.” Decorate the outside of your card.

Open and design the inside of your card.

Close the card and fold back along the center fold, exposing the weave. Gently pull open the weave and a surprise third page will be revealed!  Decorate that page with a secret message. Your family and friends will be amazed!

For more Maker Monday projects and other fun stuff for kids, visit the Kidsburgh Activities page.