Jul 2

4th of July Magic Card

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Don't let the magic fool you—these magic cards might seem a little tricky to make, but once you create your first one, you'll see how easy it is with our printable template. When the patriotic card is inserted, all you can see is the silhouette of a star. As you pull out the card, a colored version of the star begins to appear with the words "Happy 4th of July!" Pretty magical, isn’t it? Ohh, but there's even more!

To make this card even more magical, when you pull it out, the card reveals stars and stripes within the star. Talk about amazing, right? And you can even add details in the background to make the card pop even more. I think we can all agree this is the best DIY 4th of July card kids can make.

I promise that you won’t be able to stop making these magical cards! We make it even easier as you can grab the printable template at the end of this tutorial.

If you're looking for more fun 4th of July crafts, be sure to check out our Coffee Filter Bald Eagles, Uncle Sam Cootie Catchers, and Bald Eagle Paper Bag Puppets. Each of these projects is perfect for celebrating the 4th of July with a creative twist!

Materials Needed:

4th of July Magic Card template (you can find it at the bottom of the tutorial)
White Heavy Cardstock Paper
Clear Plastic (I used a thicker sheet protector but anything that is a clear plastic will work)
Black Permanent Marker
Crayons, Markers or Colored Pencils
Scissors
Glue

Step-by-Step Guide To Make 4th of July Magic Cards

Step 1: Download and Print 4th of July Magic Cards

To begin your project you need to download and print our 4th of July Magic Card template. Directions to download the template is found at the bottom of the post. I recommend printing the template on 8.5x11 white cardstock paper.

Example of how to color in the 4th of July Magic Cards.

Step 2: Color

Ignite the artistic spirit within as you reach for markers, colored pencils, or crayons to bring the 4th of July Magic Cards to life. There are four unique sections to this card: Front, Back, Card, and Middle. You can color the sections labeled Front, Back, and Card, but DO NOT color the section labeled Middle. This special section is what makes the magic happen!

Step 3: Cut

Once you’ve completed your coloring, it's time to grab your scissors and carefully cut out each of the four sections.

You will also need to cut out the center area of the front piece, which is labeled "cut." Have an adult help you get started. Carefully push the tip of the scissors through the center and then carefully cut out the piece.

Step 4: Score Fold Lines

Scoring lines are pre-marked lines on paper or other materials that indicate where a fold should be made. These lines are often lightly indented or perforated to make folding easier and more precise, ensuring a clean and accurate fold. Scoring is especially important for this craft to achieve professional-looking results.

There are 5 lines that need to be scored for this craft, which I have marked with a dotted line. Place a ruler on these lines and use a toothpick to firmly press down and run it along the dotted line while keeping the ruler in place. This will help the toothpick follow the straight line accurately. You might need to run the toothpick over the lines a few times to create a good score.

Step 5: Fold

With the scoring done, it's time to fold along the scored lines. Gently bend the paper along each scored line, ensuring a crisp, clean fold. If you’ve scored properly, the paper should fold easily and precisely along the lines.

Example of how to glue the magic card together.

Step 6: Glue The Front, Middle & Back Pieces Together

Start by applying glue to the tabs of the back section. Carefully align the back section with the middle section, ensuring the edges match up perfectly. Press the glued tabs firmly to attach the sections together. Make sure the glue is evenly distributed and the pieces are securely bonded. This step is crucial for the card's structure, so take your time to ensure a strong and seamless connection.

Next, apply glue to the tabs of the front section. Carefully align the front section with the other side of the middle section, ensuring the edges match up perfectly. Press the glued tabs firmly to attach the sections together.

This will create a sleeve for the card. Set it aside until the card is completed.

Example of how to glue the plastic to the magic card together.

Step 7: Glue Clear Plastic to the Card

When choosing what plastic to use, I recommend using what you have at home. I had some extra sheet protectors made from thicker plastic than usual, and they worked great. You could even use clear plastic from packaging found on purchased items.

Apply glue to the top portion of the card. The glue should cover the top of the fold line and a little bit underneath it. Cut the plastic to be larger than the card. Align the plastic to the fold line and glue it to the card. Fold the top section of the card over the plastic and firmly press down.

Example of how to cut the plastic card..

Step 8: Trim the Excess Plastic

With the plastic glued to the card, it's time to trim off the excess. Carefully cut away the extra plastic, leaving just enough to cover the card. Make sure the edges are clean and even for a polished look.

Example of how to trace the star on the magic card together.

Step 9: Trace

Using a black permanent marker, carefully trace the outline of the star onto the clear plastic. Make sure to trace accurately for the best results.

Example of how to insert the card into the sleeve..

Step 10: Insert Card Into Sleeve

It's now time to insert the card into the sleeve. The sleeve has two sections: a front and a back. Slide the plastic into the front section and the paper backing into the back.

Example of completed cards and how it works.

With the card inserted into the sleeve, you'll initially see a plain star. As you pull out the card, a colored version of the star begins to appear with the words "Happy 4th of July!" Pretty magical, isn’t it?

Computer with the magic cards downloaded and ready to print.

How To Download 4th of July Magic CardTemplate:

Before you can begin you need to download the 4th of July Magic Card Template. This download is available to all members for free! You heard me correctly, memberships are free to join for everyone who is 18 years an older! Click on the link to signup and to find the Template. You choose which one you want to download and print.

***These printables are intended for personal and school use exclusively. Unauthorized copying, uploading, republishing, distributing or alteration of these files in any manner is strictly prohibited. If you plan to showcase these printables, please ensure to include a link back to artsykidszone.com.

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Our blog is bursting with fun and festive crafts perfect for celebrating the Fourth of July! Dive into the patriotic spirit with our adorable Uncle Sam Cootie Catchers, a craft that brings a touch of whimsy to the holiday. Kids will love creating and playing with these charming characters. For a more artistic project, try our Coffee Filter Eagles, where children can learn about this majestic bird while making a stunning decoration. And when the summer heat kicks in, cool off with our delicious Red, White & Blue Milkshakes. These vibrant treats are as fun to make as they are to drink. Explore these and many more creative projects to make your Fourth of July celebrations memorable and fun for the whole family!