Cardboard Houses
May 18, 2012
Update Aug 10, 2012: I recently constructed a collapsible version of this house. Just in case you don’t want a huge box sitting in your living room 24/7!
Creative, bleary-eyed endeavors this week mostly happened on the computer but I did squeeze in this cardboard house project. I made a large house for the boys a couple weeks ago and thought a little version for Mara would be cute, so cute. Now why in the world would I want to put my baby in what is essentially a cardboard doghouse? Mara has been seeking out small and low spaces as of late (chairs, tables, my desk, my skirt!) and I wanted to give her a cozy crawl and play space where she wouldn’t bump her head or get stuck. I tossed in a some of Mara’s greatest hits along with her quilt that she loves to snuggle with.
This is a really straightforward and simple project, but I put together directions below. All you need are: one full-size box, another box or partial box (you need this extra piece of scrap cardboard to construct the roof), duct tape, and a craft or utility knife. Click to download a printable PDF of the instructions below.
If you don’t like the triangular opening in the back that the roof makes, lay the house down on its backside, trace the triangle onto another piece of cardboard, cut out, then attach with tape (I did this with our large house). Add a ‘trim’ around the edges with more tape. And almost forgot to add instructions for the window on the big house above. With duct tape, make a cross, then box it off with four strips of tape. With craft or utility knife, cut out the four squares inside the window ‘panes.’
Bright duct tape seems to be a popular medium. If you haven’t already, you should check out Mer’s Animal Masks and Caroline’s Duct Tape Bag. So far I’ve seen neon duct tape at the craft store and Walmart and Target (in the home improvement or painting section).
Please note that this tutorial and download is free for personal use only and should not be distributed/republished without the express consent of Jennifer Kirk. Please do not copy this post or use my tutorial for commercial purposes. Feel free to email me with any questions. Thank you!
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stop it! this is too cute. those big brown eyes looking up. that house is cool.. and i love the tutorial. good job.
I love this!! This takes me back to my childhood when I used to make my own toys!! Great idea Jenn
Thank you!
Christine, I did the same when I was young. The process was usually way more fun than the end result!
That is absolutely adorable. Love the house(s) and love that sweet little person living In the box house.
Jenn! That little girl of yours… she is beautiful! After moving from Ventura, I am so glad I get to read your blog and see how your family is doing.
Came across this via pinterest. I love the pop of color on the house! Your girl is darling. Do you mind sharing where you got her quilt or the fabric source?
Hi Julia,
Thank you for the kind words! Here’s a link to the quilt. It’s even on sale. http://www.virginiajohnson.com/shop.product.aspx?sku=BY-H033Bx002x20-TE
Thanks Jennifer! I enjoy being able to keep up with your family too on FB. I have good memories of moms group playdates and when Kai and Sharla were just toddlers. Time goes by too fast.
this is so beyond cute! i’ve got to make one for Gemma. And the big kids too I guess or they would just steal Gemma’s!
Oh I love this! I want to make one!!
This is one of the CUTEST THINGS I’VE EVER SEEN! Sharing on my Friday Cool Stuff list :)
woman, where do you find the time?! I was on deadline today so the girls watched High School Musical 3 — feeling like a pretty bad mom after reading this post!
Becky, trust, this blog is truly a “best of.” I send my kids to the tv too if I need to take a work call or up against a deadline. I feel you sister, I feel you.
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So sweet. My son used to hang out under the table too. I guess even babies know when they need some alone time. ;-)
I LOVE homemade cardboard houses! My daughter (now 10yrs old) still likes to talk about the great playhouse her dad made her out of refrigerator box when she was maybe 2–there was even a door! I’ll never forget her tears when we finally had to get rid of it–I think I may have shed a few more than she did that day. *sniff*
completely perfect. I love the simple modern vibe you have to everything you create. You’re always so spot on.
xo
Mer
This is so dang cute. I have been trying to figure out how to do a little reading nook for my 2 1/2 year old. Would this be big enough for her?
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What a lovely idea. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Candice! This size box might be a bit of a squeeze, though my 4-year-old and even 6-year-old cram into it all the time! If you don’t have any boxes on hand, you can get one really cheap from a moving supply company. These are extra great because there is no printing on them. Good luck!
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I just finished recently our cardboard house project. I never would have imagined that I would have as much fun making it as my Little Missy has playing in it!
Feel free to stop at our blog and check it out.
[...] is a project to love! What kiddo wouldn’t want their own little cardboard house? So cute and cosy! I think [...]
So resourceful and very lovely. And the lil occupant is too cute!!! I love the shot where she is lying down and chilling out. Gorgeous. Like the pink tape too – nice girlie touch :)
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[...] projects, but sometime in the next week or so, I’ll be sharing an updated version of the kids’ little cardboard house. (And the way I styled the house with lights above — definitely a big-kid thing. [...]
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I love this!! May I translate this into Chinese to put up w/ photos on my blog? Of course crediting and link will be provided back to you. Thank you so much!
These boxes are so cute and imaginative. Love them.
[...] with a LOT of toys, the novelty of our first cardboard house eventually wore off on the kids. I didn’t want to send it to the recycling bin, but there was [...]
[...] -Mais fotos e tutorial da casinha de caixa de papelão, no blog Ambrose Creative This entry was posted in brinquedo de papel, brinquedos, faça você mesmo and tagged bebê, brincadeira para fazer em casa, brinquedo, brinquedo personalizado, caixa de papelão, casinha, casinha de caixa de papelão, criança, diy, faça você mesmo, papelão, reaproveitamento, reutilização, toddler by Daniele. Bookmark the permalink. [...]
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Muito interessante. No meu blog explico com fazer uma estante de caixa de papelão. Adorei a ideia da casinha. Parabéns!
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Just made the box fort, and so excited for my little one to wake from her nap to play! She will love this. Thanks for the simple to follow instructions!
i love it and that girl of yours is CUTE!!!
So cute! Tie a bunch of colorful helium balloons to the top and make it look like the house in the movie “Up”!
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Thanks for this great idea, I made some cardboard houses for my girls, to see here : http://lautreatelier.over-blog.com/article-la-cabane-en-carton-with-a-neon-touch-111563705-comments.html#anchorComment
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My daughter absolutely loves her cardboard house she has been in it for hours. The only problem is i can’t get it to stay together with the duct tape it keeps falling apart :( any suggestions?
Hi Regina,
I’m so sorry to hear the tape isn’t holding up! I’ve been using Duck brand duct tape without any problems so far (and our houses have taken quite a beating!). Have you tried wrapping the tape around the edges so that tape is on the outside and inside of each seam for double the support? Hmmm, I don’t have any other suggestions, unfortunately, besides using extra tape but I’ll let you know if something pops into mind!
I didn’t have much tape left so i did what i could, i hope i can get out to get some more i taped it on the outside and inside, i guess maybe the tape was just old. I just hope it can stay somewhat in tact until i can get to the store lol
How come I did not think of this before? If I have to make one for my daughter, she would surely love this. What an awesome DIY craft play for kids!
Perfect for a toddler! Why not score and fold long strips of cardboard to glue where the joints are. (Fold one side of the strip over each side of the joint.) That would hold up better, and you could cover them with colored tape for a decorative look.
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