Cut a Christmas window in a folded card

Plan the window on the front only

A folded card can hide a Christmas drawing behind one small opening flap. Your child chooses the picture, while an adult helps with the inside cuts. The key is leaving a paper hinge and placing the drawing where the opening will reveal it.

Fold a sheet of firm, foldable paper in half to make a card. On the front, draw a rectangle with a generous border between it and every edge, including the main card fold. Keep the rectangle smaller than the whole panel so the front stays in one piece.

Cut three sides and keep a hinge

Open the card fully and move the back panel away from the cutting area. Only the front panel will be cut. Mark the rectangle's left side as the hinge; that line must remain attached.

An adult can gently bend the front panel at the rectangle's right outline and make a small starting snip there with scissors. Flatten it again. From that opening, cut along the right, top and bottom outlines, leaving the entire left side uncut. Keep the back panel clear throughout.

Fold the little flap outward along its left edge. Open and close it once. If a corner still catches, an adult can check the three cut lines. Do not pull against an uncut corner or cut through the hinge.

Put the drawing behind the opening

Close the main card but leave the window flap open. Hold the front against the back and lightly trace the opening onto the inside back panel with a pencil. This outline shows where the picture needs to fit.

Open the whole card again. Your child can draw a star, tree or parcel inside that outline, leaving a little space at its edges. Keep the main detail within the frame; a picture outside it will be hidden when the card closes.

Close the card and look through the open window. Can you see the chosen detail? Add a missing part or adjust the drawing before decorating the front. A short greeting can go elsewhere inside the card, away from the viewing area.

Test the finished surprise

Your child can color the flap and then close it over the opening. Let the recipient open the flap to reveal the picture. The rest of the card can open normally afterwards.

Try the small flap again after coloring. If the paper has softened or torn, keep it open as a plain viewing window instead. One visible picture is enough; there is no need to add several fragile openings.