Pop Up Eagle
Celebrate Save the Eagles Day or explore a fun bird craft any time of year with this Pop Up Eagle Card Craft. This printable activity uses a simple folded card, a coloring page style eagle cutout, and an easy accordion paper spring to make the eagle pop forward when the card opens. It is a great choice for classroom activities, homeschool lessons, or quiet creative time at home.
Kids can color the printable templates, practice careful cutting and folding, and create a handmade card they will be proud to open and show off. If you have younger crafters they might also like to try the Hand and Footprint Eagle or the Eagle Treasure Bucket.
Supplies
- White cardstock or heavy paper
- Printer
- Scissors
- Glue stick or school glue
- Crayons, markers, or colored pencils
Instructions
- Print the card base and the eagle with spring strip template.
- Color the card base and the eagle.
- Cut out the eagle.
- Cut out the long spring strip.
- Fold the card base in half.
- Fold the spring strip back and forth like an accordion.
- Glue one end of the folded spring strip inside the card close to the center fold.
- Glue the other end of the spring strip to the back of the eagle.
- Press the card closed gently and allow the glue to dry.
- Open the card to see the eagle pop forward.
Tips
- Cardstock works best because it helps the card hold its shape.
- Make small, even folds on the spring strip so the eagle pops forward more easily.
- Let the glue dry before opening and closing the card several times.
- Kids can decorate the inside of the card with extra clouds, trees, or a special message.
Fun Facts
Bald eagles are known for their white heads and strong hooked beaks.
The bald eagle is the national bird of the United States.
An eagle’s sharp eyesight helps it spot food from far away.
Many eagles build very large nests high in trees.
Patterns, Templates and Printables
Click on a pattern to open it in a new window to print.
Teacher Friendly Educational Extension
Use this pop up eagle card as part of a bird or wildlife lesson. Invite children to learn about bald eagles, their habitats, and why protecting wildlife matters. This craft also works well with a writing activity. Ask students to write one or two facts about eagles inside the card or create a short message about how to help birds and nature. In art class, children can experiment with realistic eagle colors or create a more imaginative design using bright patterns.
Supplies
White Paper
Sharp Scissors
Instructions
Click on Printables and print out the Patterns and the illustrated instructions. Careful cutting and pasting will yield a delightful eagle ready to take flight.
If you have younger crafters they might like to try the Hand and Footprint Eagle or the Eagle Treasure Bucket.
This craft is reprinted courtesy of Robert Sabuda.
Patterns, Templates and Printables
Click on a pattern to open it in a new window
Contributor
Robert works in his studio in New York City that he shares with his partner, children's book creator Matthew Reinhart. When asked about his work, Robert says, "We love making books. It's hard work but the best part is not having to worry about making a mess. When being an artist is your job, you can make as many messes as you want to!"
to hard
You might want to try some of the easier pop ups like the pop up bear https://freekidscrafts.com/pop-up-bear-card/ or the pop up rabbit pop up rabbit
fantastic! I made it with dark brown paper on burnt sienna card stock for card – juvenile eagle 😉 – and it turned out great. Used exacto knife to cut out and acid-free craft glue that doesn’t wrinkle paper and narrow spout…