Spend an afternoon crafting these pop-up valentines from American Girl magazine with your girl. They’re fun to make and are sure to warm the hearts of all who receive them.

You will need:

  • Card stock or scrapbook paper (2 sheets per card)
  • 2 pencils
  • Glue stick
  • Stickers (optional)

Follow these steps to make a simple card, then decorate it any way you’d like! Stickers are fun to use, but you can also hand-letter or draw your own designs. Make larger or smaller cards by using different paper sizes. You can also cut the inside or outside paper smaller to make a border.

Step 1

Step 1

Fold a piece of card stock in half lengthwise. This will be the inside of your card. Use the side of a pencil to crease the folded edge.

Step 2

Step 2

Lay the pencil on the center of the fold as shown. Use the second pencil to trace a line about 2 inches long on either side.

Step 3

Step 3

Repeat step 2 on either side of the center marks, centering the pencil each time. Cut along the pencil lines.

Step 4

Step 4

Open the card and fold the strips the opposite way, as shown.

Step 5

Step 5

Fold the other sheet of card stock or paper in half. Apply glue to the back of the inside card, and attach it to the outside card.

Step 6

Step 6

Press stickers onto card stock. Cut around the stickers, leaving a border. Glue to the pop-up strips. Finish by decorating the front of the card.

Sweet Sign-Offs

    At a loss for words? Use some of these sayings in your pop-up cards.

  • If friends were flowers, I’d pick you.
  • You sparkle and shine, Valentine.
  • True blue—that’s you!
  • Our friendship keeps on blooming!
  • We’re two peas in a pod.
  • You make life sweet!

Adapted from American Girl magazine, January/February 2016. © American Girl. All American Girl marks are trademarks of American Girl.