How to Make a Paper Favor Box With Lid

Make eco-friendly favor boxes using recycled newspapers.

Recycle old newspapers to make eco-friendly paper favor boxes with lids. An abundance of "green" boxes can be crafted for a school class party, luncheon or banquet. The materials for this project are free, saving you the cash needed for purchasing the favor gifts that go inside. They are quick to construct and can be made while relaxing in front of the television, or you can get the kids involved with an afternoon family activity.

Things You'll Need

• Newspaper
• Yardstick
• Scissors
• Vegetable can, unopened
• Transparent tape

Instructions

1. Cut one 8 1/2-inch wide by 20-inch long rectangle and one 4-inch wide by 20-inch long rectangle from newspaper. The large rectangle will be your favor box and the small rectangle will be your lid.

2. Lay the large newspaper rectangle on your work surface with the long edges positioned as the top and bottom edge. Lay a vegetable can on one short edge of the paper, centered 2 inches between the top and bottom edge, with the length of the can lining up with the paper's short edge.

3. Roll the length of the newspaper around the can. Roll until the entire length has wrapped the can. Secure the short edge of the paper using transparent tape.

4. Fold over the 2 inches overhanging the bottom edge of the can to the flat bottom of the can. Fold and crease until the end of the can is covered and flat. Secure the folds using transparent tape.

5. Slide the can out of the rolled paper box. Fold over 2 inches on the open top edge of the box to the inside. Crease the top edge of the box. Secure the fold inside the box with tape.

6. Lay the small newspaper rectangle on your work surface with the long edges positioned as the top and bottom edge. Lay the vegetable can on one short edge of the paper, with 2 inches of the paper extending past the top end of the can. The length of the can is lined up with the paper's short edge.

7. Roll the newspaper around the can in the same way as the box. Secure the short edge using transparent tape.

8. Fold over the 2 inches overhanging the top edge of the can to the flat top of the can. Fold and crease until the end of the can is covered and flat. Secure the folds using transparent tape.

9. Slide the can out of the rolled paper lid. Fold over an inch on the open edge of the lid to the inside. Crease the fold and secure with tape on the inside of the lid.

10. Place the paper lid over the paper favor box.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a standard-size vegetable can that stands 4 1/2 inches tall with a 9 1/2-inch circumference.

• Glue buttons or pompoms to the favor box to decorate it.