How to Make a Cardboard Mirror Frame

Make a whimsical picture frame using basic craft materials.

When you are helping a young child learn the value and joy of giving to others, you can show her how to make the lesson more meaningful by making a gift by hand instead of buying it from a department store. For example, instead of buying a premade framed mirror from a store, have your child make a whimsical cardboard frame using a few basic materials that can be found at any arts and crafts supply store.

Things You'll Need

• Cardboard
• Scissors
• Ruler
• Tempera paint
• Paintbrush
• Hot glue stick
• Hot glue gun
• Flat glass marbles
• Plastic mirror
• Glitter glue

Instructions

1. Cut out a rectangle from cardboard to measure 7 inches wide and 9 inches long. Cut out a smaller rectangle from the center of the first measuring 4 inches wide and 6 inches long. Discard the cut out piece of cardboard.

2. Paint the cardboard form using colorful tempera paint. Select any color you prefer, and allow the paint to dry for 30 minutes.

3. Push a hot glue stick into the back of a hot glue gun, then plug in the hot glue gun to heat up for 10 minutes.

4. Squeeze a pea-sized dollop of hot glue onto the front of the cardboard frame, and press a flat glass marble onto the hot glue dollop. Allow the hot glue to harden for two minutes.

5. Repeat step 4 to cover the entire front of the frame with flat glass marbles.

6. Squeeze a line of hot glue around the edge of a plastic mirror that measures 5 inches wide by 7 inches long, then press the mirror against the back of the frame. Allow the hot glue to harden for 10 minutes.

7. Squeeze a line of glitter glue around the outside edge of the cardboard mirror frame to conceal the rough edge. Allow the glitter glue to dry for 30 minutes.

Tips & Warnings

• Use similarly colored paint and glitter glue to create a more uniform-looking mirror frame.

• Keep hot glue away from children.

• Hot glue can cause serious burns on skin.