The kids and I found a cool how-to pop-up card book at the library. So this Father’s Day, we’re making animated fire breathing dragon cards for the grandpas! I drew a dragon out and the kids wrote on it, then tomorrow they’re going to color it in. Sweet!

If you want to get in on the action, below are simple instructions for how to make one yourself. And if you’re pressed for time, I made a printable template too.

Hope you all have a great Fathers Day!

Print out the template, or create your own drawing. Cut off the left edge and color in the fire. Fold the card in half, then cut two slits where the fire piece will be inserted.

Cut out the fire piece. (If your paper is thin, you might want to glue a second layer onto the back before cutting it out. This will make it more sturdy when pulling the fire to animated it.)

Insert the fire into the two slits.

Now take a second piece of paper, and cut it to the same size as the card, then fold it in half. This will be the outside cover of the card. Apply glue to this cover piece, but avoid putting glue where the fire animation occurs. (See photo.)

Lay the dragon card onto the glued cover and press firmly. Fold in half, and put a book on it for awhile to allow glue to dry. Then behold the fire breathing dragon!

Template: Click on the image below, then print.

22 Responses
  1. Lindsey M.

    Thank you so much for this awesome idea! My son absolutely loved making this today and can’t wait until Sunday when he gets to give it to Daddy :)

  2. Liz

    My boys had fun tracing your template using the window. Made for their own unique variations! Thanks!

  3. […] He has other amazing cutout sets that he has created: the original paper city, paper Paris, travel-size paper Paris, paper nativity scene, paper Sydney and paper road trip.  There are also all sorts of vehicles and even a helicopter with landing pad.  He also has a bunch of great coloring sheets featuring his whimsical style of art.  (The Easter coloring sheet was our daughter’s favorite.)  There are also tons of creative projects under the various age categories, including this cool fire breathing dragon Father’s Day card. […]

  4. Virva Elma Ilona

    Oh gosh, this is fantabulous! It gives me an idea to a valentine’s card with the same idea… a heart and an arrow <3