How to Create a Box With a Cardboard Roll

When the paper's all gone, recycle the cardboard tube.

All households accumulate cardboard rolls in the form of empty toilet roll holders, and in the quest to keep kids occupied and busy, these handy items can be used in a number of crafting activities. Small pillow boxes are handy for storing little treasures or secret items, or they can be used as pencil or crayon cases. They also make useful gift boxes that can be decorated with fancy craft papers to make candy or jewelry boxes.

Things You'll Need

• Bone folder
• Glue
• Decorative paper

Instructions

1. Squash the cardboard roll and run a bone folder over the creases to sharpen them.

2. Score a semicircle on both sides of both ends of the cardboard roll to help fold the edges inwards. Use an upturned glass or any round object that you can draw around.

3. Cut a piece of decorative paper to the same width as the cardboard roll. Make sure it is long enough to wrap the cardboard roll completely, with about 1/2 inch extra.

4. Lay the cardboard roll flat on the work-surface and apply glue to one side, making sure to include the scored ends.

5. Stick the paper firmly to cardboard, then roll over and apply glue to the other side. Stick the paper down, then run a line of glue along the underside of the extra 1/2 inch of paper and stick this down so that the paper is secured to itself as well as to the cardboard roll.

6. Fold in the tops of the roll by pushing inwards above the semicircular score lines.

Tips & Warnings

• Tie ribbons around the middle of the box for added decoration, or stick on name cards if the boxes are intended for use as gift or candy boxes.

References

• Guylou's: Toilet Paper Roll Box