EASY Recycled Cardboard Doll House

I can't take full credit for this project, my daughter brought an early reader book home from school that had general instructions that sparked this wonderful craft. This doesn't just have to be for girls either, boys can make into a place to play with G. I. Joe's or other action figures, turn it into a book case or a creative toy shelve or book shelve the possibilities are endless!!!

With parent help this project would be good for ages 3 or 4 and up!!! The basics of this are super easy it only gets to be more difficult or involved when you get into making it more elaborate. Basic house, no frills prep time I'd say about 10 minutes to scare up some boxes, tape glue. To make the very basic house counting dry time for glue about 1 hours (5- 10min to put it together, 45 to let it dry and under 5 to tape up seams).

 Materials needed:

* 4 equal size boxes (#7 eBay shipping box or box from large refill of baby wipes are the perfect size)

* Scrap felt and other fabric for curtains, rugs and furniture

* Large piece of cardboard to fold and make roof

* Washable paints & brushes

*Packing tape, scissors, good glue (Elmer's is fine but for added strength I suggest Gorilla glue **PARENTS ONLY**)

*Scrap printed paper or construction paper, example: wrapping paper, scrapbook paper, Sunday comics (used for "wallpaper")

*small boxes like jewelry boxes, large match boxes (for furniture)

* bottle lids, empty small cup (like yogurt cup) plastic lids from other containers for table top, or pretty much any thing that you can envision turning into furniture try the little plastic "end table" they put in the middle of pizza when you have it delivered (I loved these as a kid!!!)

You could also have kiddos cut out pictures from magazines for "artwork" on the walls it all depends on how elaborate they want to get with it.

Steps

 1: Cut 1 set of "flaps" off all boxes so that they are permanently open, tape the other side shut, save the flaps for later

 2: If you are going to Wall paper do it now by spreading a thin layer of white glue to the inside bottom of the box and 2 "walls" press paper lightly and evenly one side at a time into glue and smooth out. (Could paint or leave walls plain if you want)

 3: With a strong glue two boxes together side by side, then the other two. then glue those two on top of the other two, make sure open sides all face 1 way. LET DRY

 4: Once dry use packing tape to cover all the outside seams for added strength.

5: Fold cardboard for roof lengthwise in half then each half about 1 inch and glue to top of the house (you can skip this if you want it just completes the look)

 6: Paint windows on sides and in rooms and doorways, also paint the roof if desired LET DRY

 7. Cut "curtains" from scrap fabric and glue beside windows in the house, also make rugs from felt and lay or glue onto floors

 8. Make appliances and furniture like stove, fridge, t.v, beds, dressers, couches, table, chairs, etc. from small boxes and other miscellaneous recycled lids, containers, caps, use more fabric to make bedding, cover couches, table cloth whatever you want. 

9: Arrange your furniture and decorate as desired

10: USE YOUR IMAGINATION AND HAVE A BLAST!!!!!

You can use baskets, fabric bins, smaller boxes etc to put in these like drawers for toy storage. Add more large boxes or match up different sized ones for a mansion or shopping mall!!! You could use shoe boxes to make this but it won't last long unless they are the thick sturdy kind boots come in.

If you just want to make some light weight shelves to store craft items away in or organize a cluttered playroom the basic idea of this has endless possibilities and it is a terrific way to reuse a lot of items you may have lying around or easily be able to get from a friend.

I hope everyone enjoys this craft, my daughter and I are making hers now, and then my boys and I will be working on one for their room.  I just wanted to get this posted before I forget to!!! Have fun!!!