Our budget is on the tight side this year, so we will be making cards. There are so many variations of cards out there, all the traditional themes and methods we used when we were kids. Our kids wanted to incorporate their own art work into their cards this year, so here is what we came up with:
Using various colors of construction paper and our zig-zag scissors we cut rectangles measuring 3.5”x6.25”. Measure a half inch down from the top (the card can be held either horizontally or vertically) and draw a faint pencil line. When writing messages and signing names, the message should be written below this line.
On regular printer paper, draw rectangle templates 3.25”x6”. In each of these rectangles, have your child draw pictures. We found markers offered the best, brightest colors. If you have a scanner and color printer, scan these pictures and reprint the number you need for cards. Then simply cut the pictures out using your zig-zag scissors. Make a thin line of glue just above the pencil mark on the construction paper card and place the picture on the card so the top edge of the picture rests on the glue. When the glue is dry you will be able to lift the picture and read the message.
My 8 and 6 year old loved doing their own drawings and copying them on the computer. My 4 yr. old found he didn’t like using his own drawings so we did a couple of things. First we use some clipart which he colored and decorated. He enjoyed that technique. We also used some festive wrapping paper (replacing the computer paper) and glued a paper heart in the center of that. That was also fun and effective.
For envelopes we visited our local dollar store. For $1.00 we were able to purchase 140 3.5”x6.33” envelopes which fit our project perfectly.
Kids, being as curious as kids are, will probably ask you questions about Valentine’s Day while you sit making your cards. Here are some links to sites that offer some answers:
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