How to Make a Toy Box Out of Cardboard for an Adult Costume

Create a costume replica of your favorite toy box.

Costuming need not be expensive. Cardboard boxes can be made into many outfits, ranging from robots to cereal boxes. Create a toy box costume from throwaway items, using only common household tools. Personalize the box according to the event or wearer. After the party, fill in the head and arm holes, and use the box to carry home your costume prizes!

Things You'll Need

• Large cardboard box
• Box cutter
• Brown wrapping paper
• Pictures of toys (cut from advertisements)
• Yard stick
• Cloth tape measure
• Permanent marker
• White glue

Instructions

1. Find a large cardboard box. Grocery stores may hold a box for you if you call ahead. Alternatively, packing companies sell boxes.

2. Cut off the flaps using a box cutter. Place the box open-side-down on a level surface. Use a straight edge, such as a yard stick, to draw lines from corner to corner, creating a big X on the top of the box.

3. Measure the circumference of the wearer's head. Draw a circle slightly larger than that circumference on the box, with the center of the circle corresponding to the center of the X drawn in step 2. Cut out the circle using a box cutter.

4. Measure the circumference of the wearer's upper arms. Draw two circles slightly larger than that measurement on opposite sides of the box. Cut out the circles using the box cutter.

5. Place the box over the wearer's head to check for fit. Make sure all holes are large enough that they do not rub on skin. Use the box cutter to cut the holes larger, if needed.

6. Cover the box with brown paper. Add the appearance of wood grain by drawing it on with a permanent marker, if desired. Glue on pictures of toys, and write "Toys" or "Toy Chest" somewhere on the box.

Tips & Warnings

• As a final touch to the costume, carry a toy around.

• This costume will be bulky. It will not be possible to drive or do other activities that require fitting into a small space. Do not anticipate being able to move about easily.

References

• Family Corner: Cardboard Box Costumes
• Family Fun: Chicken in a Box Costume
• She Knows Halloween: Nine Cardboard Box Costumes
• Robin's FYI: Homemade Halloween Costumes