Peek-a-boo Card Challenge
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Make a peek-a-boo card with a movable flap, drawing hidden pictures and practicing cutting, folding, and simple mechanisms to surprise friends.

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Step-by-step guide to Peek-a-boo Card Challenge

What you need
Adult supervision required, cardstock or thick paper, coloring materials (markers crayons colored pencils), glue stick or tape, pencil, plain paper, ruler, scissors

Step 1

Gather all materials and set them on a clean flat table!

Step 2

Choose one piece of cardstock and fold it in half to make the card base.

Step 3

With your pencil lightly draw a rectangle on the front of the folded card where you want the peek opening.

Step 4

Cut along three sides of the rectangle leaving the top side uncut so the cut piece becomes a flap.

Step 5

Open your card fully so you can work inside.

Step 6

On a separate plain paper draw the surprise picture you want to hide.

Step 7

Color the surprise picture using your coloring materials.

Step 8

Hold the colored picture behind the window to decide exactly where it should sit.

Step 9

Put small dots or a thin line of glue on the back of the colored picture.

Step 10

Press the picture onto the inside of the card behind the window until it sticks.

Step 11

Cut a small strip of paper to make a pull tab for the flap.

Step 12

Attach the pull tab to the bottom edge of the flap with glue or tape.

Step 13

Decorate the front of your card around the window without covering the flap edges.

Step 14

Test the flap by gently lifting the pull tab to reveal the hidden picture.

Step 15

Share your finished creation on DIY.org

Final steps

You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!

Complete & Share
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Help!?

What can we use if we don't have cardstock or special tape?

Use the flattened back of a cereal box or glue two sheets of construction paper together for a sturdy card base, and substitute a glue stick or double-sided tape for the adhesive called for in the instructions.

My flap won't open smoothly or the pull tab keeps coming off — what should I check?

Confirm you only cut three sides of the rectangle (leaving the top uncut) and attach the pull tab to the bottom edge with a small strip of tape or a stronger dab of glue so the flap moves smoothly and the tab stays secure.

How can I adapt the Peek-a-boo Card Challenge for younger or older kids?

For younger children, have an adult pre-draw and pre-cut a larger window and use stickers for the surprise picture, while older kids can draw detailed scenes, add multiple windows, or decorate around the window with more complex materials as in the decorate step.

How can we extend or personalize the finished card beyond the basic instructions?

Make it reusable or more interactive by attaching the colored surprise picture behind the window with a small piece of removable tape so it can be swapped, add extra windows or patterned paper when you decorate the front, or create a pop-up element behind the window for an extra reveal.

Watch videos on how to make a peek-a-boo card

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

Peek A Boo Game for Babies 👶 Fun & Safe Learning for 1-4 Year Olds | Little LaLa's Nursery Rhymes

4 Videos

Facts about paper crafts for kids

✂️ Kirigami (paper cutting) comes from Japan and adds flaps, windows, and cut-out surprises to paper art.

❤️ About 145 million Valentine's Day cards are exchanged in the U.S. each year — many people treasure handmade cards!

👶 Peekaboo helps babies learn object permanence — a key cognitive milestone around 8–12 months!

📖 Pop-up books use 'paper engineering' techniques like tabs, folds, and living hinges to make pages move.

🧩 Simple card mechanisms include flaps, sliders, and rotating wheels you can build with just paper, a brad, and scissors.

How do I make a peek-a-boo card with a movable flap?

To make a peek-a-boo card with a movable flap, fold a piece of cardstock in half to form the card. Mark and cut a window on the front but leave one side attached to act as the flap. Fold that cut edge to create a hinge, or attach a separate flap with strong tape or a paper hinge. Draw or glue a hidden picture inside. Add a small tab to lift the flap. Decorate the outside and test the flap so it opens smoothly.

What materials do I need for a peek-a-boo flap card?

Materials you'll need include sturdy cardstock or construction paper, child-safe scissors, pencils, erasers, markers or crayons, glue stick or tape, and decorative items like stickers or washi tape. For more advanced mechanisms use a ruler, craft knife (adult only), a small brad/split pin, hole punch, and thin cardboard. Optional: googly eyes, ribbon or small tabs for lifting the flap. Keep non-toxic supplies and a cutting mat for adult use when sharp tools are needed.

What ages is the peek-a-boo card challenge suitable for?

This activity suits different ages with supervision adjusted: 2–4 years enjoy sticker peek-a-boo with adult help; 4–6 years can practice basic cutting, folding, and coloring with close supervision; 7–9 years handle scissors and simple hinges independently and can design surprises; 10+ can build advanced mechanisms like sliding panels or brad hinges. Always match complexity to fine-motor skill and supervise sharp tools or glue.

What are some variations or safety tips for the peek-a-boo card challenge?

Try variations like sliding windows, pop-up surprises, or layered reveals using multiple flaps; theme cards (animals, seasons, jokes) or group relay challenges where each child adds a flap. Safety tips: use rounded-tip scissors, supervise craft knives and hot glue, choose non-toxic markers and adhesives, and pre-cut small or complex pieces for young kids. Benefits include fine motor practice, sequencing, creativity, and social play when shared.
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Peek-a-boo Card Challenge. Activities for Kids.