A cardboard car is fun to make.A large cardboard car, made from a moving box, can keep a toddler or small child entertained for hours.A toy car is fun.You need a pencil, box cutter, and some glue to make a cardboard car.
Step 1: You or a child can sit inside the box.
It is important to make sure the person you are making the car for can fit inside the box.Most large moving boxes are sufficient if you are making a car for a toddler or small child.Most home improvement stores have large cardboard boxes for purchase.
Step 2: The box should be closed with tape.
It is best to use clear packing tape.If you want to cross the box's bottom, use enough tape.
Step 3: Leave out one of the short flaps if you close the box.
Place one of the short flaps inside the box and the other outside.To close the top of the box, tape the 2 long flaps together.The back of the car will be the short flap that you leave outside the box.
Step 4: Measure and mark the sides of the box.
Measure the length of your box with a yardstick and divide it into thirds.Use a pencil to draw 3 sections on each side of the box.The middle section will be where you put the doors.
Step 5: To create a flap, use a box cutter to cut the sides of the box.
Cut one side of the box's top to separate it from the other.When you reach the front third of the box, stop cutting.Make a cut on the other side of the box.The top of the box should be separated from the sides by the end of this step.An adult can help you cut with a box cutter.
Step 6: Put the flap in half and tape it together.
You can get an even fold by marking the center of the flap with a horizontal line.The inside of the box can be seen if the top flap is folded inward.Attach the 2 halves of the flap with packing tape.
Step 7: The back flap needs to be done the same way.
The back flap should be folded in half the same way as the top flap.Wrap packing tape around the 2 halves.
Step 8: If you want, you can paint the box.
If you want to leave the exterior as is, you can either paint it red, blue, black, or another color.Use a paint brush or spray paint.Put an even coat of paint on the box.Add more paint for a deeper color after the coat of paint has dried.You don't want to get paint on the floor if you put the box on spread-out newspapers or a large sheet of cardboard.You should give the paint an hour or so to dry.
Step 9: The box has doors on its sides.
If you want to make a door that you can open and close, you need to cut along the vertical line that is nearest to the back of the car, and the box.If you want the door to swing open, don't cut along the vertical line near the front of the car.
Step 10: Add windows to your car.
If you want to make windows for your car, you can either cut out sections of cardboard or draw them on.Measure 1–3 inches from the sides of the front and back flaps and draw a rectangular object.Draw squares in the doors to make your windows.
Step 11: Attach the wheels to the car with hooks and loops.
You can make the car's wheels out of paper or plastic plates.You can paint the wheels black or leave them as is.The wheels should be 6 inches from the car's front and rear.You can glue strips of cardboard onto the wheels by covering them with duct tape.
Step 12: Adding lights, a license plate, and a grill completes your car.
If you want, you can make your car simple or detailed.Paint, cardboard pieces, and other craft items can be used to create a look.To make headlights, you can cut circles out of another piece of cardboard, paint them yellow, and glue them onto the front of the car.The bottom part of a cup can be used.You can make a grill with small, rectangular cardboard strips covered in duct tape or ice pop sticks.Adding lights and other details with different colored markers is another option.
Step 13: Two pieces of cardboard are used to draw the outlines of a car's profile.
You can choose the style of car you want to emulate.It is possible to make your car large or small.You can make a car 6–9 inches (15–23 cm) in length if you don't have a size in mind.The rule of thumb is to make the car 1/3 its length.To find the 2 wheel wells, draw half circles.
Step 14: Use a box cutter to cut out the outlines.
Place the cardboard on a hard surface.Carefully cut out the outlines.A strong pair of scissors can be used if you don't have a box cutter.
Step 15: To glue the 2 side pieces to the bottom piece, use a hot-glue gun.
Measure and cut a rectangular piece of cardboard that is the same length as the sides you cut out and has a width about equal to the car's height.Glue was applied to the bottom of the 2 sides.Hold the sides of the rectangular piece in place until the glue dries.
Step 16: You can make a roof for your car with a piece of cardboard.
Measure the top of the car.Cut the dimensions out with a box cutter after transferring them onto another piece of cardboard.Line the top of the side pieces with glue and press them into place.To measure curved edges, use a string and check the length on a ruler.If your car's top is curvy, you may need to bend the cardboard segment with your fingers.
Step 17: Cut a small piece out of the car's bottom to make room for the wheels.
The frame of the car needs to be flip over.There are small rectangular pieces where the wheel wells meet.
Step 18: Take out the wheels with a bottle cap.
Place a bottle cap on a piece of cardboard and trace around it to make a circle and then cut it out.This is how to make 8 circular pieces.To make a wheel, glue 2 circular pieces.
Step 19: The wheels have a skewer through them.
To punch a small hole through one of the wheels, use your box cutter.If you make a hole, fill it with glue and stick the skewer inside.This step is repeated with one other wheel.Before you put the skewer into the wheel, cut the tip off.
Step 20: There is plastic straw over the 2 skewers.
The plastic straw is equal to the width of the wheel wells on your car.Put it on one of the skewers that are attached to the wheel.The other skewer needs to be done the same way.
Step 21: The skewers have 2 wheels on them.
To poke a hole in the 2 wheels that aren't yet attached to a skewer, use a box cutter.Attach the holes with glue and place them on the skewer.The skewer can be cut if it sticks outside of the wheel.If you want your wheels to spin, you need to leave 1–2 centimetres between this wheel and the plastic straw.
Step 22: Attach a piece of cardboard to the wheel wells.
Measure the width and length of the wheel wells.Cut out 2 identical rectangular pieces after transferring the dimensions onto a piece of cardboard.Put a piece of glue between the front and back wheel wells.
Step 23: Attach the pieces with glue.
Attach the center of each piece with glue.Hold the axle down until the glue dries, then press it into place.
Step 24: You can add any details you want.
You can draw designs on the car.To make it look realistic, add headlights, a license plate, windows, and windshields.