Hands-free Card Holder

Last month’s CD-disk card holder tutorial was so wildly popular that I figured folks might find today’s hands-free card holder tutorial to be useful as well.

After all, some kids lack the motor skills to hold cards at all, yet they would still enjoy playing card games with family and friends.

Just like the first, this card holder is quick to make and very inexpensive.

It isn’t limited just to playing cards, either. It can be used to hold picture symbol cards for non-verbal communicators to choose with eye gaze. Feel free to make it longer or shorter to meet your needs.

For playing cards or communication cards, this holder
is quick and very inexpensive to make.

All you need is a pool noodle (our dollar store carries them for a buck; each 4-foot noodle makes 6 card holders) and a serrated knife. You can use an electric carving knife (an ideal device for cutting foam and the only reason I have one) or a serrated bread knife. Since most people have access to a low-tech bread knife, that’s what we’ll use in this tutorial.

You simply need an inexpensive pool noodle
and a serrated bread knife.

Measure 15-16” from one end. Cut down through the foam using your serrated knife.

Cut straight down as though you were slicing a loaf of bread.
15 - 16" is a good length, but feel free to make yours longer or shorter.

Now slice lengthwise through the center of the piece. Try to keep the slice as straight as you can. Also try to stay in the middle so both halves are equal.

Slice down through the center to make two halves.

Set the slice, flat side down, on a table. At the peak of the arch, use your knife to cut a slot 1 /4 -1/2” deep the full length. It might help to draw a straight line with a Sharpie marker, both for you to follow with the knife and for your child to see the slot.

Drag your serrated knife along the top of each half,
allowing the blade to cut only 1/4 - 1/2" deep to
create a slot.

To use the card holder, simply slide the cards into the slot.

Rest the holder, flat side down, on a table.

There you go! Easy, inexpensive, and hands-free!

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