How to Build a Skyscraper Model With Cardboard

These towering building can easily be replicated with cardboard.

Making a skyscraper model out of cardboard can be a fun activity to do for school or at home. You can make your model to stand alone or as part of a model city with other cardboard buildings. Discovering the steps you need to take to make a cardboard skyscraper model can help get this creative craft project started and help you create your very own skyscraper to enjoy.

Things You'll Need

• 1 large cardboard box (about 16 by 12 by 12 inches)
• 1 medium cardboard box (about 12 by 8 by 8 inches)
• Packing tape
• Hot glue and glue gun
• 1 standard cardboard shoebox
• 1 small cardboard gift box
• Spray paint
• Acrylic latex paints
• Small paint brushes
• Popsicle stick
• Construction paper
• Spray shellac paint sealant

Instructions

1. Tape your medium and large boxes closed on all sides using paper packing tape. Make sure to smooth tape down gently so that it doesn’t get wrinkles, as you don’t want wrinkles to be seen on your finished product.

2. Apply hot glue to the edges of the bottom side of your medium-sized box and stack it on top of your larger box. Press down firmly and allow glue to dry completely in order to adhere well.

3. Cut off the sides of your shoebox lid, and tape the remaining piece to the open side of your shoebox with packing tape. You want the look of a smooth rectangular box. Again apply tape with gentle strokes to prevent wrinkles.

4. Apply glue to one of the smaller sides of your shoebox and glue it atop your medium box in the center, pressing down firmly and waiting a minute or two for glue to dry.

5. Tape your gift box closed and apply glue to one side, then glue in the center atop your small shoebox to complete the final piece of your skyscraper. You should now have four boxes stacked atop each other getting smaller as they go up, like the shape of a skyscraper.

6. Spray paint the skyscraper the color of your choice, such as gray, black or simply leave it brown if you prefer. Allow paint to dry for about an hour.

7. Take a few small paint brushes and some acrylic latex paints, colors of your choosing, and paint columns, doors, windows, and other decor touches, onto your skyscraper as you like.

8. Take a popsicle stick and paint it grey or silver with some acrylic latex paint. Allow paint to dry. Cut out a small triangle, about 1 inch wide and 1 inch long, from construction paper and glue to one end of your popsicle stick, then stick the other end into the smallest box atop of your skyscraper.

9. Allow all paint to dry on your skyscraper when it is painted to your liking. Spray the entire skyscraper with a layer of shellac paint sealant to give it a gloss and protect your paint job.

Tips & Warnings

• You can play around with different box sizes for your skyscraper if you like; the sizes in this example were just a general idea.

• Always use spray paint and shellac in well ventilated areas, as fumes can be hazardous.

References

• Family Fun: Build A Skyscraper