Buzz
Cardboard cars are a fun and easy craft project that you and your kids can enjoy together. Large boxes can be turned into a cozy car for a child to sit in, while smaller boxes can be used to create unique toy cars. These handmade vehicles can become exciting playthings for your children. Next time you have a cardboard box you're about to throw away (or recycle), consider transforming it into a car!
Steps
Making a Car from a Large Cardboard Box
Seal the cardboard box with tape. Ensure the top and bottom are securely closed.
Draw two car doors on the long sides of the box. The lines should start from the middle and extend downward, ensuring their horizontal edges are parallel to the top of the box.
Cut out the car doors. Use a utility knife to carefully cut along the lines you've drawn.
- Adults should handle this step, as well as any other steps involving a knife.
Cut out the windshield. Use a utility knife to make a cut along the top edge of the box, about two-thirds of the box's length from the rear. Start just before the car door and continue cutting toward the back, then across to the other side.
- Do not detach the cardboard piece. Ensure it remains attached to the hood (the front third of the car).
Fold and secure the windshield. Lift the cut piece of cardboard and fold it inward toward the middle of the car. Tape the folded section to the lower half to secure the windshield in place.
Cut a window into the windshield. Use a knife to cut out a large rectangle on the folded section from step 5.
Cut a section at the back and fold it down to create a seat.
Paint the car body if desired.
Attach two cups to the front to serve as headlights. Secure the cups to the front of the car with their bases attached to the vehicle and their openings facing forward. You can use plastic or paper cups.
- Opt for paper cups, as they are ideal for this purpose.
- Cut off the base of the cups. This part will act as the car's headlights.
Add details to the car. Use popsicle sticks to create a grille.
- Attach a divider bar to the windshield.
- Use bottle caps to make tail lights and turn signals.
Attach paper plates as wheels. Stick two paper plates on each side of the car to serve as wheels.
- Alternatively, cut circles from construction paper and glue or tape them to the front.
Paint and decorate the car. Use hand paint or tempera paint for a unique design, and add details with highlighters or markers.
Decorate the car's interior. Use construction paper or fabric to create seat cushions, and attach a paper plate to the "dashboard" to serve as a steering wheel.
Add a logo to the car, and your cardboard box car is complete.
- This car is spacious enough for a toddler to sit inside.
Making a Car from a Small Cardboard Box
Start with a small cardboard box. A cereal box or tissue box works well.
- If using a long tissue box, flip it upside down to hide the opening (where tissues are pulled out).
Cut a loop from one side of the box, across the top, and down the other side. Start 10 cm from the front of the car and 7.5 cm below the top edge. Cut toward the top, across it, and then 7.5 cm down the opposite side.
- Use sharp scissors or a utility knife for this step.
Fold the front section you just cut downward.
- You now have the car's hood.
Shape the rear of the car. This step depends on the type of box you're using and the car style you prefer.
- For a sedan, repeat step 2 on the opposite end of the box.
- Skip this step if you're making an old Model-T style car.
Poke holes in the sides of the box where the wheels will be attached. You can use the tip of scissors for this. You may need to measure and mark the points to ensure even spacing.
Insert wooden skewers to serve as axles. The skewers should go through the holes you made to mark the wheel positions.
- You can also use plastic straws, pencils, or pens as alternatives. Avoid using pipe cleaners, as they bend too easily.
Creating the wheels. Cut out four wheels of equal diameter from a different piece of cardboard.
- It’s better to use a sturdier type of cardboard than cereal box or tissue box cardboard.
Attaching the wheels to the axle. If using skewers, you can use the pointed end to poke a hole through the wheel. Otherwise, you’ll need to make a small hole in the wheel to attach it to the axle. You can use the tip of scissors, but be careful not to make the hole too big, or the wheel might fall off!
Decorating the car. You can use markers, crayons, stickers, or glue colored paper onto the car. If you’re feeling creative, you can even paint it using finger paint or tempera paint.
- You can leave the box’s original design if you prefer. The novelty can be a charming aspect of the toy, and you can create a collection of cars from different boxes.
Enjoy your car!
Tips
- When crafting a toy car, you might need to adjust the length of your cuts to match the size of the box.
What You'll Need
- Cardboard box (size depends on your project)
- Packaging tape (for larger cars)
- Scissors and/or a box cutter
- Paper plates (for wheels on bigger cars)
- Another piece of cardboard (for wheels on smaller cars)
- Skewers, straws, pencils, or pens (for smaller cars)
- Glue (for larger cars)
- Markers, crayons, tempera paint, or finger paint (optional)
- Ruler (optional)
