Turn special greeting cards into something new with this recycled Christmas cards art activity. This is a simple craft that engages kids scissor skills and creativity.
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Christmas cards we send and receive light up the holiday season. Sometimes it’s the only way family and friends from far away can keep in touch.
Since greeting cards are such a special part of holidays and events, it’s especially fulfilling to have an art activity like this one for reusing them.
In this easy craft, kids make beautiful pictures with greeting cards, scissors and glue. Add other craft materials according to what you have on hand, or to meet kids interests and skill levels.
This is an open-ended, child-led activity, with lots of learning opportunities. Kids choose, and cut out, elements on the greeting cards that they want to use in their new pictures.
Related: Greeting Card Flowers Craft
Recycled greeting cards craft
Materials list
Greeting cards
Construction paper
Cotton balls or pillow stuffing
Scissors
Glue
Instructions for a greeting card art activity
1. Cut out the parts of the greeting cards that you might want to use in your picture.
Several of our greeting cards had snow and trees to inspire a winter forest scene.
For younger children, you can prepare some cutouts beforehand.
2. Arrange – and rearrange – the cutouts on a plain piece of construction paper.
- Place the trees on the paper to make a forest.
- Stretch the cotton balls into fluffy pieces for snow and clouds. This a great fine motor activity.
3. Glue the cutouts in place when you are happy with your design.
Spread glue with a glue stick, then sprinkle paper confetti or biodegradable glitter for snowflakes.
Grasping glitter from a tray with fingertips is also fine motor work.
Art activity with recycled Christmas cards
This open ended activity engages many developmental skills, including: fine motor (cutting out pictures), cognitive (decision making, designing the layout), and language (talking about the pictures).
Look through your Christmas cards to explore the possibilities for an art activity. And be pleased to see your greeting cards become even more special in your child’s artwork.
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