Here's a cheery cut-out frog card you can make for Valentine's Day—or any day!

All you need is paper, a paper punch, scissors, and glue. If you like, add glitter or paint. And don't FROGet to add a message inside. Once you have the hang of it, you can create your own creature pop-ups!

Click this link to download this PDF, then cut out the picture and follow these instructions. (pdf)

1. Trace or draw the face pattern onto a piece of folded green paper, as shown

 

 

 

 

 

2. Keeping the paper folded in half, cut out the frog face. Cut out the mouth and use a paper punch to make the nostrils.

 

 

 

 

 

3. With the face still folded in half, fold along line A. Cut out the eye.

 

 

 

 

 

4. Fold along lines B and C. To make the folds crisper, press down along them with a ruler or with your scissor handles.

5. Open up your frog face and gently pull the lower lip, nose, and eyelids forward so they look like those in the photo. Push all the other folds back. If you want, decorate your frog. (It's easier now than when it's glued into the card.) 

6. Fold an 8 1/2 x 11" piece of paper in half. Turn your frog over and dab glue on one half of the face (see pattern). Line up the bottom point of the face with the fold of the card and glue this one side in place. Flatten the face, dab glue on the other side, and press the card closed.

7. Trace or draw the tongue pattern on a piece of folded red paper. Cut out. Then fold back the tabs at the dotted lines. Glue the two pieces of the tongue together as far back as the dotted lines. Then glue the tabs inside the frog's mouth, one tab on either side of the card's fold.

Once you've added some final touches, such as coloring in the eyes, your pop-up card is ready to send!

 

Craft and photo by Mary M. Bono

Drawings by Kendra Lebo