How to Make Reinforced Cardboard

Keep your moving boxes to use for craft projects.

When reinforced, cardboard can be a surprisingly versatile and strong material. The desire to recycle materials has resulted in a move to create household items and furniture from cardboard. Whether you are creating a playhouse, banner, prop or model, cardboard can be your environmentally friendly material of choice. Depending on the project, there are several ways to reinforce cardboard to make it stronger.

Things You'll Need

• White glue
• Dowels
• Hacksaw
• Craft knife
• Foam

Instructions

Cardboard Sandwich

1. Cut the cardboard to size and lay it down on your work surface so that the corrugation runs horizontally. Coat one side with white glue.

2. Cut a matching piece of cardboard with the corrugation running vertically.

3. Sandwich the two pieces of cardboard together with the glue between. Leave it to dry.

Dowel Reinfocement

1. Purchase dowels that are an appropriate diameter and length for your craft project. Cut them to size using the hacksaw.

2. Cover one side of the dowel with white glue.

3. Stick it to the back of the cardboard. This is particularly good for bits of cardboard that branch off from the main body of the piece.

Foam Sandwich

1. Cut two pieces of cardboard that are the same size.

2. Cut a piece of foam the same size as the two cardboard pieces. Cover one side of the foam with glue and stick the cardboard over it. Leave it to dry.

3. Do the same with the other side so that you have foam in the middle of two pieces of cardboard.

References

• Disney Family Fun: Cardboard Crafts
• Children's Rights Centre: Making Your Own Toys

Resources

• "The Independent"; Make Yourself a Cardboard Home; Emily Jenkinson; September 2010