How to Make Your Own House & Play in it in 3D

Cardboard boxes like this can be used to create fun playthings for kids.

One of the classic activities of American childhood is the building of a cardboard house or fort. It is an easy activity that can provide your child with hours of safe play.

Things You'll Need

• Four large, 4-by-4 foot boxes
• Roll of strong tape (duct, masking or other)
• Marker
• Craft knife or razor
• Yardstick
• Container of strong adhesive
• Large, cardboard refrigerator box
• Bag of 100 plastic pit balls
• Two sofa cushions

Instructions

Making a 3D Cardboard House

1. Tape one of the four boxes so that the top and bottom are completely closed. Turn the box over on its side.

2. Draw two doors, two feet tall by one foot wide, on the front and back sides of the box. The doors should touch the bottom of the front and back sides and should be centered between both ends of the box. Draw four windows--two on the front and two on the back--each one foot by one foot.

3. Cut out the windows on the front and back. Cut the top, right side and bottom of each door so that it opens.

4. Cut two triangles out of another four-by-four box. Each triangle should have the following dimensions: three by three by four feet. Glue both triangles to the top of the house, one on the left side and one on the right side.

5. Create a roof by cutting two rectangles each four by four feet. Glue these rectangles to the triangles to form the roof.

Making a 3D Cardboard Fort

1. Turn the refrigerator box on its side. Draw a four-by-four-foot square on the front of the box and cut it out. Draw a three-foot circle on the top of the box,\ but in the same area as the square. Cut out this circle.

2. Cut the top and bottom off of the two remaining boxes. Tape one box to the front of the refrigerator box where you previously cut out the square. Tape the other box to the top of the refrigerator box, covering the hole from the circle.

3. Place the sofa cushions inside of the entrance to the fort. Pour the plastic pit balls down the box on the top.

Tips & Warnings

• You can additionally decorate the fort and house however you wish.

References

• Kidzworld.com: How To Build Your Own Fort