How to Build a Renaissance Paper Castle

Renaissance castles had many embellishments that earlier castles did not.

Renaissance castles were built more for appearance and elegance than their older counterparts. While older castles were strictly built for military strength, Renaissance castles also had beauty and flair. Most of the standing castles around now are Renaissance castles. These castles have many towers, windows, balconies and embellishments that give the castles a fairy tale quality. You can build your own paper Renaissance castle from a cardboard box and other paper products lying around the house or classroom.

Things You'll Need

• Large cardboard box
• Utility knife
• Cardstock paper
• Smaller boxes (such as shoe boxes or tissue paper boxes)
• Paper towel tubes
• Masking tape
• Craft glue
• Scissors
• Acrylic paints
• Paintbrushes
• Toothpicks

Instructions

1. Cut off the flaps from the top of the large cardboard box. Turn the box onto its side. You will use the open side to access the interior of the castle. If you don't want to have an inside for the castle, then seal the flaps closed with masking tape.

2. Cut half of an oval design into one of the box sides with an utility knife. Make the oval shape about 8 inches tall. Don't cut out the bottom of the oval to create a drawbridge that can open and close from the bottom. Cut windows into the other sides of the box. Use the traditional arched design that windows had during the Renaissance period.

3. Glue four tissue boxes vertically to either corner of the top of the box. Cut four squares about 3 inches wider than the top of the tissue boxes. Fold the squares into a cone shape and tape to the top of the tissue boxes to make towers.

4. Make several 3-inch squares and fold into cone shapes. Attach the cones to the top of the paper towel rolls. Tape the rolls around the walls of the castle to make more turrets and towers. The more towers you add, the more authentic the castle.

5. Continue to add towers and additional rooms to the paper castle with whatever boxes you have.

6. Paint the castle with acrylic paints. Use light colors for an authentic look. You can also use bright colors for a fairy tale castle. Cut out paper flags from cardstock and attach to the top of the towers with toothpicks. Allow the paint to dry 24 hours before playing with the castle.

References

• Enchanted Learning: Box Castle
• Disney Family Fun: The Great Cardboard Castle