How to Make Puzzles Boxes
While puzzles come in various forms and sizes, from the two-dimensional to the three-dimensional, the boxes used to contain these puzzles have not undergone major design changes. Puzzles come in various skill levels dependant usually upon the number of pieces included in the puzzle box. While the number of pieces increases, the size of the pieces usually shrinks, and so a puzzle box measuring 8 inches wide by 2 inches high and 11 inches in length should contain most puzzles. Use the following instructions to make your own puzzle box for your self-created puzzle, or to contain a puzzle whose box has been destroyed; you might even wish to use the box for holding paper puzzles, such as crossword puzzles.
- Difficulty:
- Easy
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Picture of puzzle to be placed in box Puzzle pieces Thin cardboard sheets Scissors or box cutters Pencil Ruler Sticky tape
-
-
1
Begin by measuring and cutting two strips of cardboard to measure 2 inches by 11 inches. Work with caution to ensure that the sides are parallel and free of gouges. Use the box cutters and the straight edge of a ruler to make straight, even cuts.
-
2
Measure and cut two more strips, this time measuring 2 inches by 8 inches; also measure and cut one sheet measuring 8 inches by 11 inches. These two steps give you the pieces that will be used to construct the top, lid section of your puzzle box.
-
3
Lay the 2-inch-wide strips out in a patterned row; one 8-inch strip, one 11-inch strip, one 8-inch strip, and one 11-inch strip. Tape together in one long strip, and then bend the pieces to form a rectangle and tape into shape. Place the 8-inch by 11-inch sheet underneath and attach with tape to the rectangular form. You should now have a cardboard tray that will later be used as the lid to your puzzle box.
-
4
Measure and cut all of the pieces again. Trim one-tenth of an inch off the width and length of each piece. This will allow the bottom portion of the puzzle box to fit inside the top, lid section of the box. Lay the strips out as directed previously and construct the bottom section of the box just as you constructed the lid section.
-
5
Place the lower section of the puzzle box inside the upper, lid section with the open sides facing one another. Cover up the taped seams of the puzzle box with the picture of the puzzle that will go inside the box. If you do not have a picture of the puzzle, or wish to use the box for other types of puzzles, you might want to glue sheets of solved or unsolved crossword and Sudoku puzzles to the outside of the box. You may even glue old puzzle pieces to the outside of the box for decorations.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Your cardboard puzzle box does not have to be used for puzzles, you may decorate accordingly and place anything from crayons to makeup inside the box.
