How to Make Boxes

Do you always have a pile of used holiday cards when January first rolls around? We Do.

Do you feel guilty for pitching them and adding to the landfills? We Do.

Do your children get cabin fever, even though it’s only the second day of vacation? Ours Do.

We can solve all three problems for you!  You’ll occupy the kids, and keep all those cards out of the landfill.  Read on to learn how to make boxes out of your old holiday cards.

You’ll be recycling, and making beautiful gift boxes all at the same time.
These directions are really simple, so it’s an easy project the kids will be able to master easily and quickly, making it good even for your preschoolers.  If you put them to work long enough, you’ll have a stockpile of pretty gift boxes for next year, and happy, occupied kids for most of the afternoon!  The best part is, this craft requires really minimal supplies.  The main component is something you were going to be throwing out, and you already have glue and scissors in the house, which means you don’t have to spend any money on this craft!  That’s especially comforting when you know Christmas bills will be rolling in all too soon.

If you have the kids make enough greeting card boxes, you might even save some money on gift boxes and wrapping paper next year!  When you’re ready to teach the kids how to make boxes, gather them together, and grab the following supplies:

* Christmas Cards or Birthday Cards
* White glue
* Scissors
* Pencils
* Ruler

Instructions on how to make boxes

Step 1: Cut the card in half along the fold. One piece will be the top, and the other will be the bottom.

Step 2: Cut ½ inch of one long side and one short side of one piece.

Step 3: Turn the cards over, so that the blank side is up. Using your ruler, make an X on the card.

Step 4: Fold both sides in so that they meet in the middle, and crease.

Step 5: Fold both ends in so that they meet in the middle, and crease.

Step 6: Unfold the halves to show the X. Starting at the corner, cut along the X until you reach the new crease lines.

Step 7: Fold the sides to the inside.

Step 8:Fold end points to the inside.

Step 9:Fold ends over side points.

Step 10: Glue corners.

That’s all it takes.

You’ve learned how to make boxes from old cards!

You can use them for any small gift, they’d be perfect for the gift cards so many people are giving and getting these days.  They could also be used as place cards at your next holiday gathering, or as boxes for small treats, like homemade chocolates or butter mints.  They’d also be ideal for taking treats to school, or work.  They look so pretty when they’re done, that people will think you bought them at a high end gift shop!  Only you will know that the kids made them out of something you were going to pitch in the trash!

Don’t worry, you’re secret is safe with us, no one will ever know that you learned how to make boxes here!

Get more ideas with the rest of our Kids Crafts and Activities!