It's Greeting Cards Day! Create.Colour.Celebrate
Make and decorate personalized greeting cards using paper, markers, stickers, and simple folding techniques; colour, write messages, and give them to friends or family.
About this activity
Make and decorate personalized greeting cards using paper, markers, stickers, and simple folding techniques; colour, write messages, and give them to friends or family.
What you need
Step by step
- 1
Step 1
Gather all the materials listed so everything is ready.
- 2
Step 2
Clear a comfy workspace with good light to make your card.
- 3
Step 3
Pick a sheet of paper or cardstock and fold it in half neatly to create a card.
- 4
Step 4
Trim the edges with scissors if you want a smaller or neater card size.
- 5
Step 5
Lightly sketch a picture or design on the front of the card with your pencil.
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Step 6
Colour in your front design using your colouring materials.
- 7
Step 7
Add stickers or use the glue stick to attach extra decorations to the front.
- 8
Step 8
Open the card and write a warm personalized message inside with a marker or pen.
- 9
Step 9
Draw a small border or doodles around your message to make it extra special.
- 10
Step 10
Fold another sheet of paper into an envelope shape to hold your card.
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Step 11
Write the recipient’s name clearly on the front of the envelope.
- 12
Step 12
Give the finished card to a friend or family member with a smile.
- 13
Step 13
Share a photo of your finished creation on DIY.org.
Fun facts
How do I make personalized greeting cards with my child?
To make personalized greeting cards, fold a piece of cardstock or sturdy paper in half to form the card base. Sketch a simple design lightly, then color with markers, crayons, or watercolor. Add stickers, washi tape, or cut-out shapes for depth. Write a short, heartfelt message inside—practice on scrap paper first. Let glue or paint dry, tuck into an envelope, and deliver to friends or family.
What materials do I need to make greeting cards?
You’ll need blank cards or cardstock, child-safe scissors, a glue stick, markers, crayons or colored pencils, stickers, and envelopes. Optional extras include washi tape, stamps, ribbon, sequins, a hole punch, and recycled magazine cutouts. Use non-toxic supplies and have a scrap sheet for testing colors. If you don’t have cardstock, fold printer paper double for a sturdier base.
What ages is making greeting cards suitable for?
This activity suits children about 3–12 years old with small adjustments. Toddlers (3–5) can place stickers, finger-paint, and press shapes with supervision. Ages 6–9 can cut simple shapes, write short messages, and plan layouts. Ages 10–12 can try mixed-media techniques, hand lettering, or more complex folds. Always match tools to skill level and supervise cutting, gluing, or small decorations.
What are the benefits of making greeting cards with children?
Making greeting cards builds fine motor skills, hand–eye coordination, and early writing practice. It encourages creativity, planning, and emotional expression when kids choose colors and messages for loved ones. Giving cards strengthens empathy and social skills and boosts confidence as children complete a personal gift. Card projects also foster family bonding and can be adapted for group exchanges to celebrate together.
Watch & Learn
Need help?
What can I use instead of cardstock, a glue stick, or special stickers if I don't have them?
If you don't have cardstock for the 'pick a sheet of paper or cardstock' step, use folded printer paper or a flattened cereal box, replace the 'glue stick' with clear tape or diluted white glue, and cut pictures from magazines or use washi tape instead of 'stickers' when decorating the front.
My card creases unevenly or my drawing smudges—what should I do?
To get a neat fold when you 'fold it in half', press the crease firmly with a ruler or the back of a spoon, and to prevent smudges let marker or pen ink dry fully and erase extra pencil lines gently before you 'colour in your front design'.
How can I adapt this activity for different ages?
For toddlers pre-fold the card and give chunky crayons and stickers to 'colour in' and 'add stickers', for school-age kids encourage detailed pencil sketches and marker messages inside, and for teens introduce mixed media like paint, collage, or hand-lettering before folding the envelope.
How can we make the card more special or advanced?
Increase the wow factor by adding a pop-up element after you 'open the card and write a warm personalized message', glue fabric or collage pieces to the front instead of just stickers, decorate the envelope with stamps or drawings, and 'share a photo of your finished creation on DIY.org'.