DIY Pop-Up ‘Exploding Box’ Style Card
Pop-up Template and Tutorial: Create a bouquet of happiness with this DIY pop-up box. Complete with flying hearts and adorable bluebird soaring above the flowers. The box folds flat for mailing, then pops up to create a joyful display. Simple to make with paper, scissors, glue, and plastic from the recycle bin. Get the template and watch the instructions below.
Size: 2.3 x 2.3 x 4.8 in / 56 x 58 x 122 mm (folds flat to fit in envelope)
How to Make the Bluebird Exploding Box Pop-Up Card:
- Download & Print the Template – open the template (.PDF) and print on white card stock. 65lb weight cardstock feeds easily thru most printers and is thick enough to support the pop-up movement. Use the thickest cardstock your printer can handle.
- Score the Folds – with a ruler and your favorite scoring tool, score along all the folds marked with a dashed line on the box. Scoring intents the paper with a groove and guides it where to crease.
- Cut the Box – with scissors, cut out the box. Carefully cut between each flap.
- Cut the Bits – with scissors, cut along the green and blue area around the bird, flowers, and hearts.
- Cut Clear Plastic Strips – raid your recycle bin for stiff clear plastic. Cut seven strips approximately 0.24 x 2.5 in (5 x 70 mm) in size.
- Glue Bits to Strips – Glue the hearts and bluebird to the clear strips. Set aside to let them dry.
- Fold & Glue Box Flaps – Fold and crease the box and wording flaps. Glue each flap down so there is pattern on both sides.
- Inside Box Supports – Fold the long strip in the shape of an ‘S’. The A + B labels should be facing out. Matching up the A + B labels, glue the ‘S’ strip inside the box. Glue each of the short panels to the box sides.
- Square the Box – Form the final corner of the box, gluing the rear tab on the wording panel. Note: Tab goes inside the box.
- Glue Flowers – attach the flowers to the first panel inside the box. Adjust up and down to your liking.
- Glue Bird & Hearts – place the bluebird first, centered on the middle panel in the box. Then add in the hearts, placing the hearts at different heights, angles, and depth to your liking.
- Make the Matching Envelope – Score along the dashed lines, then cut out the envelope with scissors or a craft knife. Fold and crease flaps inward to form the envelope. Glue the two side flaps and bottom flaps together, insert the card, and seal the envelope. Tip: It’s easier to address the envelope before inserting the card.
