These wallets work perfectly for any age. This would be a great gift idea that would cost very little and be more sentimental because it is handmade. I’m actually tempted to make a large (checkbook size) for myself.
I was recently trying to find an activity that a bunch of 8 year old boys could do and would enjoy. I stumbled upon these duck tape wallets and knew instantly that the boys would love them.
Unfortunately, the boys were just a little too young for this activity. They kept getting their duck tape stuck to the table and to each other. They still loved the activity and the finished wallets, it was just more work and stress on me than I had predicted. If I would have had 2 kids to each adult it would have worked out really well, but I had 1 adult to about 6 kids. Children ages 10 and old should be able to do this activity with little help.
Supplies
- Duck Tape
- Scissors and/or Craft Knife
- Ruler and/or Cutting Mat
Step 1: Main Body
Tear off four pieces of tape that are at least 9 inches long for the front of the wallet. Tear off four pieces of tape that are at least 9 inches long for the inside of the wallet.
Place them sticky-side-up on your cutting surface. Stick them to each other (front-to-back), overlapping about 1/2 inch.
Starting about 1/2 inch from the top, adhere one piece at a time (back-to-back). The last piece should overlap about 1/2 inch. (The reason you start 1/2 inch down is to stagger the thicker parts of the duct tape. If you don’t, some parts of the fabric will be four layers thick, which is difficult to fold.)
Fold over the top and bottom edges. Your main body should now be about 6 inches tall.
Using your ruler and knife, cut a clean edge on the right side. Then measure 8-1/2 inches and trim the other edge. Set aside.
Step 2: Pockets
LARGE POCKETS
Tear off four pieces of tape about 9 inches long. Overlap two of them as in step 1. Then stick the other two on the front as in step 1. Fold over the top and bottom pieces.
Using your ruler and knife/scissors to cut a clean edge on the right side.
Then measure 4 inches and cut, then another 4 inches and trim. Your large pockets should be about 3″ x 4″. Set aside the two large pockets.
MEDIUM POCKET
Tear off three 5-inch pieces. Rip one of those pieces lengthwise down the middle.(Yes, I said rip it. Fast. You can do it. Don’t worry if it’s not exactly down the middle.) Now stick one of the normal pieces with a half piece as you did in step 1. Now adhere the other remaining normal piece and the half piece to the front, as in step 1. Fold over the top and bottom pieces.
Using your ruler and knife/scissors to cut a clean edge on the right side.
Then measure 4 inches and trim the other edge. Your medium pocket should measure abut 2 1/2″ x 4″. Set aside medium pocket.
SMALL POCKETS
Tear off two pieces of tape about 9 inches long. Stick them directly together, not leaving a 1/2 inch overhang.
Using your ruler and knife/scissors to cut a clean edge on the right side.
Then measure 4 inches and cut, then another 4 inches and trim. Your small pockets should be about 2″ x 4″. Set aside the two small pockets.
ACCENT ON POCKETS, optional
Tear off two (or in my case three) 5-inch pieces of tape. Rip them lengthwise down the middle.
Use the ripped pieces to make a top border on each of the small and medium pockets. Tape the top edge, then fold over. Trim the excess.
POCKET ASSEMBLY
Tear off a 4-inch piece of tape. Rip it lengthwise down the middle. Then rip one of those half pieces down the middle lengthwise again. (Save the other half piece for step 3.)
Stack a large pocket and the medium pocket on top of each other. Using one of the thin, twice-ripped pieces, tape the right side of your pockets together. Fold it over to the back side and trim the excess with your ruler and knife/scissors. Do not tape the left side yet.
Stack a large pocket and the two small pockets on top of each other. Stagger the height of the two smaller ones evenly. Using the other thin, twice-ripped pieces, tape the left side of your pockets together. Fold it over to the back side and trim the excess with your ruler and knife/scissors. Do not tape the right side yet.
Step 3: Assemble
Fold your main body in half lengthwise. Make sure the height of your pockets and wallet are all the same height (3 inches). If not, trim them.
Using the other half piece from the pocket assembly step above, rip it down the middle lengthwise again, just as you did before.
With the main body still folded in half lengthwise and using one of the thin, twice-ripped pieces, tape the left side of your wallet to attach the large and medium pocket. Fold it over the entire wallet. Trim the excess with your knife/scissors.
Using the other thin, twice-ripped pieces, tape the right side of your wallet to attach the large and small pockets. Fold it over the entire wallet. Trim the excess with your knife/scissors.
Tear off a 9 inch piece of tape. Rip it lengthwise down the middle. Use one of those half pieces to tape the pockets and the bottom edge of the wallet. Fold it over the entire wallet. Trim excess with your knife/scissors.
Step 4: Accents, optional
Add accent pieces of duck tape to the front/outside of the wallet. Be creative and have fun. That’s it, you’re done!
