Assisitive Playing Card Holder

Intro: Assisitive Playing Card Holder

This is a playing card holder made from cardstock.   These can be used to hold playing cards for someone with problems holding cards (such as a missing hand, arthritis, poor dexterity, etc.)   

Some of the other assistive card holders (like the ones below) still require someone to hold the holder, or they require some dexterity to insert the cards.

https://www.instructables.com/id/Make-a-3D-printed-playing-card-holder-CardEasy/
https://www.instructables.com/id/Durable-Playing-Card-Holder-for-Young-Kids/
https://www.instructables.com/id/Easy-to-Make-Playing-Card-Holder-for-Little-Hands/

This design is essentially a giant scrabble tile holder, made of paper.  Since it is paper, it can easily folded flat or stored or made on site.

Ingredients:
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Cardstock
Tape or Glue
Weighted material

STEP 1: Print the Template

A mountain fold is when you fold the paper so that it forms a "peak" like a mountain.  A mountain fold is traditionally marked by dash dot dash ( - · - · -).

A valley fold results from folding the paper so that it forms a crease like a valley.  It is traditionally marked by all dashes ( - - - - ).

Print the template out on a printer on good quality cardstock.  

STEP 2: Fold the Template

Starting from edge of the card holder, mountain fold or valley fold the cardstock where indicated.

STEP 3: Secure the Cardholder

To keep the cardholder from pulling apart, either put a strip of glue  (white glue, hot glue, super glue, double-sided tape.....) where it says "glue here", or put a couple pieces of regular tape on the back.

STEP 4: Almost Finished

The card holder is now complete.... but it is a little light (it is cardstock, after all).  Even loaded down with a hand of cards... a slamming door or a careless touch will tip it over.

We need to either stabilize the cardholder or weigh it down.

STEP 5: Stabilization

An easy way to stabilize the cardholder is to put a ceramic mug (empty is fine) behind the cardholder.

Another way Is to get a Ziploc sandwich bag.  Fill it with a little bit of play sand.  Seal the bag with the air pressed out, then roll up the bag.  Stick it in the larger pocket at the back of the card holder.

You can also stick a couple of table knives in the larger pocket to weigh it down a bit.

Comments

[RisuNyfiken]

This is the best card holder I have come across! The kids were so excited to be able to decorate, glue and tape them together.

[blossom9283]

This would make playing cards with baby in tow so much easier.

[ChrysN]

Nice, could you make if from cardboard (ie; cereal box grade) to make it more stable?

[AssistiveTechnologyServices]

Shouldn't be a problem. You could also use corrugated cardboard instead of chipboard (cereal boxes). Just make sure you fold with the corrugation, not against it.

[jatoha]

Very cool, I posted a link to this on Boardgamegeek: http://boardgamegeek.com/thread/1056927/simple-card-holder-from-one-sheet-of-cardstock

[shimmery1899]

Cool

[ckoehler1904]

This is a wonderful idea. I will pass it on to my stepmom who is in a nursing home. Lots of folks could benefit from this idea and could even make them as a craft project!

[AssistiveTechnologyServices]

We have actually featured this at some of our senior expos as a "make and take" quickie craft project.