How to Build Castles With Boxes

An empty box can be the basis for a fantasy play castle.

Children love castles and enjoy playing with them. Empty cardboard boxes can be collected and used for various craft projects, including building a castle. Adults and children alike enjoy preparing the cardboard, painting and decorating. Playing with a pretend box building is a great indoor activity and a way to recycle empty boxes.

Things You'll Need

• Cardboard boxes - any size
• Box cutter or sharp knife (for adult use only)
• Non-toxic paint
• paintbrushes
• Paper or cardboard glue
• Pictures from magazines
• Empty paper towel or toilet paper rolls

Instructions

1. Choose an appropriate box or boxes for the type of castle you want. A large appliance box can make a castle that children can actually climb into. A bunch of smaller boxes, like shoe boxes, can be stacked side by side for play with dolls and stuffed animals.

2. Cut the top flaps of the box off with a box cutter. If you are using smaller boxes, such as shoe boxes, remove the lids.

3. 

   Type of Castle Wall

   Place the box on its side on a safe cutting surface. Use your box cutter to cut square or rectangular crenelations all along the top edge. Cut a straight downward line, cut across, then back up again, to look like the top of a castle wall. Leave the same size space in between your next cut and repeat. For a large appliance box, each cut would be about 6 inches across. For shoe boxes, you can use scissors and cut smaller shapes. All cutting should be done by an adult.

4. 

   A Real Castle Archway

   Cut a curved door or archway using your box cutter. Make sure children can fit through the door and that the edges are smooth. If you are using shoe boxes, cut smaller doors with a knife or scissors in each box.

5. Glue empty paper towel rolls into each corner of the box, secure them with strong tape as the glue dries. These can serve as lookout towers for the castle. Use toilet paper rolls for smaller boxes.

6. Paint and decorate the castle any color you wish. Children can have lots of fun choosing their personalized castle colors. Make sure to put newspaper under the castle before painting.

7. Glue pictures from magazines on the castle walls. Choose pictures of dragons, flowers, horses, trees, cannons and anything else that children desire.

Tips & Warnings

• Allow glue to dry thoroughly before painting.

• Keep box cutters and scissors out of reach of children. Have an adult do all the cutting.

References

• Disney Family Fun: Box Buildings
• Enchanted Learning: Cardboard Box Castle

Resources

• Disney Family Fun: Box Buildings