The holidays are coming up and you are looking for something to keep the kids out from under foot, try this simple craft that once finished is a fun toy! I’m sure you have seen the cardboard brick at the store, well this is based on a similar concept but with an affordable price tag. These make a great addition to any block center.

You will need:
-Empty cardboard boxes
-Contact paper (different colors)

The boxes need to be in good condition for this project. If you are able to store the blocks the first thing you will want to do is close the box and reinforce the ends with clear duck tape. If you are limited on storage space, rather then taping the tops, only fold the boxes to close them. Once you are finished carefully cut through the ends along the edges with an exacto knife. If the contact paper does not stick, cover the edges with clear tape. This will allow you collapse the boxes when they are not in use. While a great way to save space this will reduce the life of your blocks.

To help give the ends added support cut out a piece of contact paper so that it is no more then two inches larger then the ends of the box. Peel the back off and lay on the box. Cut the corners from the tip to the box and fold down each side one at a time. Repeat on the other end.

To finish covering the box, figure out how much contact paper you will need, add two to four inches and cut it out. While peeling off the backing roll the box so that it covers evenly.

The contact paper helps protect the cardboard and makes it a bit more pleasing to the eye. Contact paper comes in all different designs and styles. You can create block that look like almost anything from wood, to marble to even brick.

You can use wrapping paper but wrapping paper tears easily and will not hold up to typical play.

Once finished the blocks can be used and reused to create castles or forts.


Here are the blocks my son and I created