
If you're looking for a fun project to keep kids entertained, why not try making a play camper out of cardboard? This creative craft idea will spark your child's imagination and provide hours of fun, all from the comfort of your own home. With some cardboard, a box cutter, and a little creativity, you can build a vintage camper playhouse complete with windows, doors, and wheels. So, gather your materials and get ready to embark on a camping adventure—all from the comfort of your living room!
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Materials | Cardboard, box cutter, paint, hot glue gun, velcro tape |
Camper Body | Cut a large oval shape from a piece of cardboard, then cut out a window and a door |
Door | Cut out a door shape, leaving one side connected to the camper body. Trace a semicircle at the top of the door for a window and cut it out |
Wheels | Trace and cut out three different-sized circles for the wheels |
Details | Cut out window accent pieces and a scalloped edge for the bottom of the camper |
Assembly | Glue the pieces together, adding window panes and a door frame. Attach the wheels and any extra decorations |
What You'll Learn
Cut out the camper's body from cardboard
To cut out the body of the camper from cardboard, you will need to gather large pieces of cardboard. You can use any type of cardboard you have available, such as old boxes or packaging material. Once you have your cardboard, follow these steps:
- Cut off any side flaps from the cardboard to create a flat surface.
- Draw a large oval shape on the cardboard, using a pencil or marker. This will be the main body of the camper.
- Carefully cut out the oval shape with a box cutter or scissors. Take your time and be precise to ensure straight edges.
- From the remaining cardboard, cut out a square for the window and a door shape for the entrance.
- Cut out the window, again being careful to create straight edges and smooth curves.
- For the door, cut along three sides, leaving one side connected to the main body frame. This will create a hinge effect.
- Fold the door towards the left edge that is still attached to the body, creating a door that can open and close.
- On the inside of the door, use a bowl to trace a semi-circle or circle shape for the door window. Cut this out with your box cutter.
- To create the wheels, trace three different circle sizes onto your spare cardboard and cut them out.
- Draw and cut out a scalloped edge for the bottom edge of the camper.
By following these steps, you will have successfully cut out the body of your cardboard camper. You can now move on to decorating and assembling your creation.
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Cut out windows and a door
To cut out the windows and door of your paper camper, start by drawing a square on one end of the camper body for the window. Then, draw a door shape in the middle. Cut out the window with a box cutter or scissors, making sure to leave the left side of the door connected to the main body frame. This will create a hinge for your door.
Now, lift up the door and fold it towards the left edge that is still attached. On the inside of the door, place a bowl in the centre and trace around it to create a window for your door. Carefully cut out this window using your box cutter.
At this stage, you can also create window accent pieces from spare cardboard. Cut out some smaller pieces to add details to your windows, such as panes or a window box. You can also cut out a larger rectangle window frame to attach to the outside of the window later.
Finally, use the body of the camper to trace the door frame and window onto another larger piece of cardboard. This will create a frame for the front of the camper to attach to.
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Paint the camper
Now it's time to paint your paper camper! You can use any type of paint you like, such as acrylic or watercolour, and choose whatever colours you prefer. Here are some tips to help you get started:
Start by painting the base colour of your camper. This could be a neutral shade like beige or brown, or you could go for a bolder colour like red or blue. Cover all the cardboard surfaces, including the windows and doors, with a layer of paint. Let this layer dry completely before moving on.
Next, you can add some details to your camper. Use a smaller brush to carefully paint on windows, using a lighter colour like white or yellow. You can also add details like window panes, a door handle, and wheels. If you want to get really creative, you could even paint a landscape scene on the windows, giving the impression of a view from the camper.
To add some depth and dimension to your camper, consider using different shades of the same colour. For example, you could use a darker shade for the bottom half of the camper to make it look like it has shadows, or use a lighter shade to highlight certain areas.
Don't forget to paint the inside of your camper as well! You can use a contrasting colour or stick to the same colour scheme as the outside. Add some fun details like curtains or a small table and chairs to make it feel like a cosy space.
Finally, once all the paint is dry, you can add some extra decorations to your camper. This could include paper flowers for the window box, a string of lights, or even a small campfire made from tissue paper. Be as creative as you like and add any extra touches that make it unique.
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Assemble the camper
Now it's time to assemble your paper camper!
First, cut out the window and door. You can draw a square for the window and a door shape on one side of the large oval body of the camper. Cut these out with a box cutter, leaving the left side of the door connected to the main body frame. This will create a hinge. Cut out a small window in the door by tracing a bowl and cutting out the shape.
Next, cut out the wheels. Trace three different-sized circles onto your spare cardboard and cut these out with a box cutter. You can also add a scalloped edge to the bottom edge of the camper if you wish. Cut out window accent pieces from the spare cardboard, as well as a door frame and window frame from a larger piece of cardboard.
Now, it's time to start assembling the pieces. Use a hot glue gun to attach the cardboard pieces together. Start by gluing the scalloped detail to the bottom edge of the camper. Then, glue the window frame to the outside of the window. You can also add panes to the window for extra detail. Glue on the window box and any other decorations, such as paper flowers.
Reinforce the door hinge with a long piece of cardboard and glue. You can attach the door to the frame with velcro tape. Finally, glue on the wheel base. Your paper camper is now ready for its first adventure!
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Add details like wheels and awnings
Now that you have the body of your camper, it's time to add some details to make it look even more realistic and fun! Here are the steps to make and attach wheels and awnings:
Wheels:
To make paper wheels, you'll need to start by determining the size you want. This will depend on the scale of your camper. Use a ruler to measure and mark the desired width of your wheels on a piece of paper. You can create a sizing chart to make it easier.
The formula for determining the paper length/long side is: Desired width x 3.14 x 1.3. The desired width multiplied by 3.14 gives you the circumference of the circle, and the additional 1.3 accounts for the creases in the paper.
Once you've cut out the rectangles according to your measurements, use a ruler, quilting mat, and bone folder to mark 1cm lines. This step will make folding easier. You can skip this and fold freehand if preferred.
Now, it's time to form the paper into a ring. Use PVA glue, a stapler, or a glue gun to join the ends of the rectangle. For larger wheels, you may need to use binding clips to help hold the shape as the glue dries.
Apply a generous amount of glue to the centre of the wheel and hold it in place for a minute. Then, use a weight to keep it in place while it dries completely.
Awnings:
You can create awnings for your paper camper using additional pieces of paper or cardboard. Decide on the placement of your awnings, such as above windows or doors. Cut out rectangular pieces of paper or cardboard slightly wider than the feature you want to cover.
Score and fold the awnings to create a crease, allowing them to extend out from the camper. You can attach the awnings using glue or double-sided tape. If using glue, be sure to use a type suitable for paper, such as PVA glue, balsa cement, or a glue gun.
For a more decorative touch, consider adding stripes or other patterns to your awnings before attaching them to your camper. You can also find ready-made paper awnings online if you prefer not to make them from scratch.
With these steps, you can add charming details to your paper camper, making it truly unique and giving it a sense of adventure!
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Frequently asked questions
You will need large and small pieces of cardboard, a box cutter, paint, a hot glue gun, and velcro tape.
Cut off the side flaps of a large piece of cardboard and draw a large oval shape on the remaining cardboard. Cut around the oval shape and remove the excess. Cut out a window and a door from one side of the camper.
Cut out the door, leaving the left side connected to the main body frame. Lift up the door and fold it towards the left edge. On the inside of the door, trace a circle for the door window using a bowl, then cut it out.
Trace three different-sized circles on spare cardboard to make the wheels, then cut them out with a box cutter.