Build

Triangle Pop-Up Card

  • 1

    Here’s what you need to make your own “Triangle” pop-up card!

    • Paper (8.5 x 11-inch copier or construction paper)
    • Tape
    • Scissors
    • Glue stick
    • General art supplies for decorating and writing messages
  • 2

    Fold the paper

    • Fold the paper in half.
    • Fold down the upper corner, making a triangle.
    • TIP: The corner you’re folding is on the crease side of the card, not on the side that opens.
  • 3

    Make the triangle pop up

    • Open the card.
    • Pull the triangle toward you, into the card. Use the fold lines you made in Step 2 to guide you.
    • Close the card and press the triangle flat.
    • When you’re done, the triangle will stick into the card.
  • 4

    Add a character

    • Draw a face, star, heart, animal, flower, rainbow, etc. Or use a photo from a magazine.
    • Crease the drawing or photo down the middle.
    • Glue it so the drawing’s (or photo’s) crease sits on the triangle’s crease.
  • 5

    Add a cover

    Glue on a cover to hide the triangle cut.

  • 6

    Add a message

    Add a message and decorate your card.

  • 7

    Did you know?

    Paper bends along lines of weakness. A crease is a line of weakness. Paper typically bends where there’s a fold. Pop-up cards take advantage of this feature by using creases to make the paper bend or move in predictable ways when you move the pop-up.

  • 8

    Try this next!

    • Make the triangle into part of the design. For example, the triangle can be a tent, umbrella, or dress. And the triangle doesn’t have to be at the top of the card. By cutting a slit along the card’s crease, you can make the triangle pop out into the middle of your card.
    • Make a mouth. Fold your paper in half. In the middle of the folded edge, make a 2-inch cut into the card. Fold back the paper above and below the cut into triangles. Open the whole card and push the two triangles so they stick into the inside of the card. Notice how when you open and close the card the two triangles open and close like a beak or mouth. Cut teeth. Decorate. Make a bird, frog, or lion.