Over the summer holidays, I’ve got together with a few other UK parent bloggers to share some simple craft ideas on weekly themes. Last week we shared our crafts and activities using sticks and craft sticks, and this week we are encouraging you to get out the cardboard boxes for a bit of upcycling and junk modelling.
Recently, the boys and I used a cardboard box to make our own life sized minion.
To make the cardboard Minion, you will need:
- Spare cardboard box
- Old jeans or any old denim clothing
- Yellow, black and white paint
- Black duct tape
- Scissors
How to make your cardboard box Minion
This will take a while since you need to wait for the layers of paint to dry, so allow a day or two to get the whole Minion completed.
First, get the kids to paint the entire box yellow, or at least the front of the box.
Next, draw on the Minion eyes and googles, and paint them in. We mixed white and black paint to make grey for their googles, and stuck black duct tape to make the sides of the googles. You could stick on empty tape rolls to make a 3D effect for the goggles (we didn’t have any handy!). Draw on and paint in the mouth too.
Once all of the paint is dry, you are ready to add the Minion’s clothes. We used old jeans to make the minion’s trademark denim dungarees. (too worn for the charity shop, otherwise I wouldn’t cut them up for craft – personal decision obviously)
Depending on the size of your box and the jeans, you may need to cut the jeans at the back to fit it around the box – then just secure with tape. We stuffed the length of the jeans back up inside the box, so if you’re able to keep the “open” end of the box at the bottom of the Minion, it does make it easier.
To make the straps for the dungarees we cut two strips from the bottom of the jeans and then attached with double sided tape.
Then the kids stuck them on
And the Minion was complete!
You could add further details or costumes if your kids have a favourite type of minion. My boys do love “king bob” so in future we might need to add king clothes and a crown – but this particular Minion looks a bit more like Kevin.
More Cardboard Box Crafts
How to Make a Cardboard Parking Garage
DIY Pizza Box & Playmobil Board Game: Race to the Lost Treasure
10 Junk Modelling Cardboard Craft Ideas
Junkmodelled Cardboard Bus with Makedo
More Minions
Minions Sweetcorn Shooter and Sweetcorn Salad
Anna Marikar, mum of four and seasoned blogger, has spent over a decade sharing her parenting journey and passion for kid-friendly crafts and free printables.
Her easy-to-follow craft ideas and practical parenting advice have transformed In The Playroom into a cherished resource for parents.
I love this, my children adore Minions. I remember decorating cardboard boxes as a child and I use to love it, they never looked this good though. Love the jeans x
I adore this. What a fun activity to do and recycle an old pair of jeans. Minions are super cookl
I absolutely love this cardboard box Minion craft! It’s such a creative way to upcycle and engage kids in a fun activity. The step-by-step instructions are clear and easy to follow. The addition of the denim dungarees is a fantastic touch. Well done on creating such an adorable Minion!