DIY Playing Card Holder for Kids’ Games

Make this simple DIY card holder to help little kids hold cards and make playing card games together easy and stress-free.

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Card games are a fun indoor activity that kids can do together or with the whole family. Playing gives kids an opportunity to learn skills like counting, strategy, and following rules.

For young children, juggling a handful of cards can be a challenge that distracts from the fun of the game. If your child tends to drop cards or struggle with shuffling through the cards they’re holding without showing them, this simple DIY card holder is the perfect solution!

It’s easy to make with just a few supplies – scrap cardboard and duct tape. You can make one in about 15 minutes to use with any card game.

Card games

If you’re looking for more card games to play together, we have lots of suggestions! First, check out our list of card games to play with a regular deck of cards. It’s organized by the number of players.

Then be sure to look through our favorite board games for all ages. It includes several unique card games.

How to make a playing card holder

Supplies

• scrap cardboard – A shoebox-sized box with top and bottom flaps is ideal, but anything thin enough to cut with scissors will work. (Sidebar, we LOVE these paletas!)
• duct tape – We used black, but any color or pattern will do.
• scissors
• ruler, optional

Instructions

1. Cut the cardboard.

Start by cutting the cardboard into a rectangle. You don’t have to measure, but ours is about 9×11 inches. If you can find a box with flaps, cut out one side including the flaps to save needing to create creases.

If you’re using a single flat piece, crease it into 3 sections. Again, you don’t have to measure precisely but our sections are approximately 4.5 inches for the center and 3.25 inches for the shorter sides.

2. Create a triangle.

With the large center against the table, fold the 2 sides up to meet and create a triangle. Cut a long strip of duct tape to secure them together. Fold the tape over the ends and smooth it against the inside.

3. Cover the triangle with tape.

Cut more lengths of duct tape to cover the rest of the triangle on both sides. Only 2 strips will cover each side. We attached the bottom one first, with a slight overlap tucked under the base. Then the top strip lines up with the top of the triangle and overlaps the bottom one.

It’s not essential, but we also cut small pieces to fold over the open ends. This hides the popsicle box label and protects the cut edges of the cardboard.

4. Make the duct tape pockets.

Next, make a pair of pockets to hold the cards. Cut a strip of duct tape that is exactly as wide as the triangle base (ours is 9 inches). Fold it in half and stick it to itself, smoothing out wrinkles. It may curl a bit and that’s okay.

Cut a longer strip of duct tape and stick the folded one to it, lining the folded seam up with one edge and centering it between the ends. Line up the bottom of the double-sided tape with the seam on one side of the triangle base. Press the tape against the triangle; this should create a hinged flap.

4. Attach the pockets to the base.

Fold the loose ends of the duct tape inside the triangle. The double-sided flap should create a pocket. Repeat the process, making a second double-sided piece and lining it up below the first one.

You should now have a duct-tape-covered triangle with 2 pockets on one side. Make a second DIY playing card holder for another child or a whole set to play with the family.

Slide playing cards into the pockets while you play. You can fan them out so you can see your whole hand at a glance, sort cards into groups, and make gameplay easy.

Printable instructions

More fun ideas from Backyard Summer Camp:

• Teach Kids How to Play Dominoes
• Teach Kids How to Play Checkers
• 21 Backyard Games You Can Make and Play