Make a DIY Pop-Out Birthday Card

We're pretty sure glitter and sparkles are the best way to celebrate someone special.

Project Overview
  • Working Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Skill Level: Kid-friendly

This is for the glitter lover in all of us. Show someone how much you care with a festive handmade birthday card. It takes no time at all to dress up a plain paper card with some serious sparkle. And then, if the confetti and glitter inside the card aren't enough sparkle for the loved one in your life, crank it up a notch by adding glitter and confetti to the envelope itself. This DIY card will be ready in minutes—perfect for those last-minute birthday wishes!

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • 1 Glue stick
  • 1 Scissors
  • 1 Pen
  • 1 "Happy Birthday" rubber stamp

Materials

  • 1 Blank card
  • 1 Cardstock
  • 1 Washi tape
  • 1 Confetti
  • 1 Glitter

Instructions

  1. Pop-Up Cuts

    Fold the blank card closed. You will make six total cuts of three different sizes into the folded edge of the card. This will create the pop-out cake shape.

    Make the first cut about 1 inch from the bottom of the card. The cut should be about 1¾ inches long. Make another of the same length above it.

    The next two cuts will be 1½ inches long, continuing to move up the card. The last two cuts will be 1 inch long. Open up the card, poke the sections you created with your cuts into the card, and refold them in the opposite direction.

  2. Decorate the Cake!

    Decorate the cake tiers with "frosting" using washi tape or create a design with a pen. You can cut out tiny candles from cardstock, then glue them to the top tier of the cake. Glue on glitter or confetti—or both! This cake is yours to make, so make it any way you like.

    When you're done, tap the card to remove the excess confetti. Remember to let the glue dry all the way before you close the card so you don't glue the card shut.

  3. Finish the Card

    3d birthday card with pop-out cake detail

    Make a card out of cardstock to fit over the main decorated card. This card will act as a cover. It should be large enough to cover the cuts on the outside of the card but doesn't need to be as big as the original card.

    Stamp a birthday design (or draw one of your own!) on the outside of the smaller card and use glue to attach it around the outside of the larger card. Now you shouldn't see the cuts from the outside of the card.

    Place it in an envelope, add some extra glitter, and wish your favorite person a happy birthday!

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