How to Make a Drawbridge Door

Drawbridges could block the way into the castle to potential intruders.

Used in medieval castles, the drawbridge was a special type of movable bridge and door. When a cart was about to enter or leave the castle, the drawbridge was lowered over the moat and used as a passage in or out of the castle. Otherwise, the drawbridge remained lifted, blocking the entrance to enemies. Drawbridges were highly important in medieval castles, as a means of defending the fortress more effectively. So it is essential to include one on a cardboard castle model.

Things You'll Need

• Cardboard
• Utility knife
• String
• Coloring pens

Instructions

1. Draw the outline of the drawbridge on the front side of your cardboard castle. The drawbridge can either be a long rectangle or a large, arched door.

2. Use a utility knife to cut through the lines you have designed. Do not cut the base of the drawbridge. Gently push the drawbridge outward, until it's parallel to the castle's base.

3. Open one tiny hole on the top-left part of the drawbridge and another hole on the top-right part. Use the tip of the utility knife for this task.

4. Lift the drawbridge to bring it to its initial position. Mark the spots on the castle's front wall that lie directly next to the drawbridge's holes. Use the utility knife's tip to pierce through the spots and create an additional two tiny holes.

5. Drop the drawbridge again. Thread the end a 10-inch piece of string through one hole of the drawbridge and make a knot to secure it. Thread the other end of the string through the adjacent wall's hole, stretch the string without lifting the drawbridge, cut the excess length and tie a knot to secure it.

6. Repeat the process to connect the other hole of the drawbridge with the hole on its adjacent wall. Use coloring pens to decorate the drawbridge and complete the craft.

References

• Make-Stuff: Cardboard Castles
• Enchanted Learning: Cardboard Box Castle

Resources

• Castles: Castle Drawbridge