Category Archives: boxes

Halloween: Cardboard Box Costumes

X-Ray Costume

Start with a recycled cardboard box that is big enough to get your head and arms into. Cut a hole in the top just large enough for your head to fit through. Cut a hole in the bottom just large enough so that you can slip the box over your head and your shoulders will fit inside. Cut a hole in the front that is the shape and size of a TV screen.

Paint the box silver or black.

Draw or use a computer to create an “X-ray” of human insides on a piece of paper that will be taped inside the box so that it will show through the hole in the front of the box. Wear a skeleton costume, black turtleneck and leggings or a hospital dressing gown.

TV Set Costume

A recycled cardboard box can be the start of a great Halloween costume. Turning it into a “television” gives you lots of options for customizing to fit your interests or message.

Start with a recycled cardboard box that is big enough to get your head and arms into. Cut a hole in the top just large enough for your head to fit through. Cut a hole in the bottom just large enough so that you can slip the box over your head and your shoulders will fit inside. Cut a hole in the front that is the shape and size of a TV screen.

Cover the recycled box with wood grain contact paper or paint it silver or black. Attach a recycled rabbit ear antenna to the top.

Draw freehand, use your computer to create a movie scene, cut a poster, or search the Internet for a movie or television scene. Tape the paper to the inside of the box so that it will show through the hole in the front of the box. Wear clothes and makeup that matches your movie. Wear black, gray or brown leggings to match the TV box.

And if you need more ideas for your Halloween costume, check out About.com’s photo gallery of Recycled Cardboard Box Costumes. The instructions accompanying each photo aren’t detailed but they’re simple enough that you should be able to recreate any you take a liking to.

I just had to add this one extra costume. It’s not made from a cardboard box, but from a piece of recycled foam.

Here’s a great way to use a piece of foam that you might have otherwise thrown out. Sonya Style has detailed instructions for using a piece of foam that you might otherwise have thrown out to make a Fortune Cookie Costume.

Recycling Center

Large boxes can be used to hold recyclable items until you are ready to take them to the recycling center. One large box can be sectioned off with smaller boxes or paper bags. For any even easier trip, choose boxes or bags that will fit easily into your vehicle.

Magazine Organizer

A cereal box makes a great magazine organizer. Cut the top away and trim the sides at a 45-degree angle to about half way down the box. Cover with wallpaper or contact paper.

Houses & Castles

Use a large cardboard box to make houses and/or castles for the children in your life. Cut windows and doors from the box. Decorate with paint, staple fabric to windows for curtains, place an old rug on the floor, use your imagination!

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