How to Make a Princess Castle Centerpiece

Make a centerpiece fit for royalty by turning cardboard cartons into a glittering princess castle. Take advantage of the natural shape of cardboard tubes and canisters to minimize the cutting and shaping necessary. The tubes lose all resemblance to their humble origins when covered and painted correctly. Add more tubes and boxes to create a larger centerpiece, or make several small castles for use on multiple tables. The centerpiece will also work well as a play castle for a princess-loving child.

Things You'll Need

• Foam core
• Utility knife
• Oatmeal can
• Hot glue
• Paper towel tubes
• Card stock
• Craft glue
• Foam brush
• Sand
• Spray paint
• Glitter
• Craft paint
• Floral moss
• Artificial flowers

Instructions

1. Cut a 12-inch square from foam core board. Use a utility knife to make clean, straight cuts.

2. Trim the metal ring from the open end of an oatmeal can using the utility knife. Cut notches into the rim with the knife to make the turreted edge of the central castle tower.

3. Glue the oatmeal can to the center of the foam core base with hot glue. Glue three paper towel tubes around the can, setting them snug against the can. Place them equally apart on three sides of the can.

4. Cut three 6-inch circles from heavy card stock. Make a slit in each circle from one edge to the center of the circle. Roll the circles to make three cones. Glue a cone to the top of each paper towel tube.

5. Draw the doors and windows on the castle in the desired locations using a pencil.

6. Paint a thin layer of craft glue over the entire surface of the castle, except for on the doors and windows, using a foam brush. Sprinkle sand over the glue until the castle is evenly covered. Allow the glue to dry and then shake off the excess sand.

7. Spray paint the castle the desired color. Sprinkle glitter onto the wet paint to add sparkle to the castle, if desired.

8. Paint the doors and windows onto the castle using craft paint. Make them as detailed as desired by creating the look of wood grain for the door or adding painted drapes to the windows.

9. Glue floral moss over the foam core base with the hot glue. Add artificial flowers to give the landscape a finishing touch.

Tips & Warnings

• Add as many details to the castle as desired. Ideas include a cardboard drawbridge, fabric pennants atop the pointed turrets and small plastic princess figurines.