Art Paper Box

In my house, art is a popular thing amongst my kids.  I always encourage them to have fun and create all the little things they can imagine.  We even have a special cabinet in our kitchen that’s designated for this.  That’s where we keep their chalk, magic sand, sensory balls, stickers, glue, markers, and more. 

What made no sense was that all their construction paper was stored in a cabinet in our hallway, to where they had to climb on a chair to get it.  I’m not exactly sure why it was there, but I knew that I needed to get the sheets to their cabinet. However, it had to be a way that kept the paper together, was easy for them to get to, and made it so paper wouldn’t become destroyed and thrown all over the inside of the cabinet.  (My kids can be little tornados sometimes.)

With this in mind, I came up with an idea, and I started to eye a box of Lucky Charms.

 

After everything, I now have a paper box that works great, and I couldn’t be happier.  Here’s how to make an easy, convenient, and non-obtrusive art paper box. 

What you need:

Empty cereal box
Pen / Pencil
Scissors / X-acto Knife

(Optional)

Wrapping Paper
Tape
Command Strips

First, find a cereal box that will fit the size of paper you want it to hold.

If you’re putting it on the inside of a cabinet door, like me, you will also have to make sure the box fits on the door without preventing it from shutting.

Place a piece of art paper on the box so you can judge where it will need to be cut.  Mark it.

Remove the paper and finish drawing your cut line, then take your scissors or X-acto knife and cut on your drawn line.  Make sure to cut both sides of your box.

              

**Don’t forget to cut out save those box tops to turn in at your child’s school! It’s such an easy way for them to raise money.**

There… your paper box is done.  You can stop here, and it would work just as well as mine.

 

However, I decided to dress up my box a little to make it more fun looking when the cabinet is opened.  I did this by wrapping it in playful wrapping paper.

Wrap and fold the box the same way you would a birthday or Christmas present, leaving the top open.

When that’s done, fold over the edges of the box at the top.

After a decent amount of paper is folded down into the box (enough so whatever parts of the box’s inside are showing will be covered in wrapping paper), cut off the excess.

Tape down the paper on the inside of the box.  **On the bottom and back, I used normal scotch tape, since I knew it wouldn’t be seen.  However, the inside that COULD be seen, I used double sided tape to make the appearance cleaner.**

I love how the finished product looked!

Except, I still needed to hang up the box.  This is where I broke into my supply of extra Command strips.  Yes, I keep everything!

I strategically placed the strips on the corners to best hold the weight of the paper, and stuck the box onto the inside of our art cabinet door.  Press and hold each strip for 30 seconds, and don’t load the box with paper for at least an hour.

 

**Side note: At first I put on Velcro Command strips, thinking that it would be great if I needed to take the box off for any reason.  However, they didn’t stick too well and made the box stick out more than normal. They easily came off, and I put on the sticky clear, and flat ones.  I’ve had no problems since then.  Trial and error, people! Trial and error!**

Now, our box is loaded with colored and white paper so the kids can easily get what they need.

It’s great watching them grab their paper and head off to create new projects. No more climbing on chairs or kids messing around in our adult office supplies.  It’s easy to make, convenient for the kids, and brings to mind so many more ideas I can make out of snack and cereal boxes.

Have you made anything amazing out of cereal boxes? 

What is the best thing you have done or made to make your life just a little bit easier?

Comment below to let me know!

Until next time…

Happy DIY-ing!!!