How To Make A Little Cardboard Suitcase

Learn how to make a little cardboard suitcase or more just for fun, for storage, or as a gift for your little one.

In this article:

A Fun DIY Cardboard Suitcase from Recyclable Boxes
Supplies Needed to Make a Cardboard Suitcase
Instructions to Make a Cardboard Suitcase
Voila! Finished DIY Cardboard Suitcase

How to Make a Little Cardboard Suitcase

A Fun DIY Cardboard Suitcase from Recyclable Boxes

If you don’t know what to do with shoe boxes, you can recycle them into a sweet little suitcase! Kids will have fun playing with it and hiding treasures in it!

You can also use it as an original storage unit! Upcycling is a fun and easy way to bring the kids together while teaching them valuable lessons about taking a green initiative.

Save money this summer by teaching your children the art of upcycling. All you need are a few items you may already have lying around the house.

Create beautiful printed “suitcases” in no time with our awesome how-to. Gather all of your supplies together before you begin your DIY mission.

Are you ready to get started? Check out how to make this awesome DIY kids craft project below.

Supplies Needed to Make a Cardboard Suitcase

Papers sheets
White glue
Brads
Velcro tape
Cereal box or thin cardboard
Shoebox

Tools:

Scissors
Utility knife
Ruler
Foam paintbrush

Instructions to Make a Cardboard Suitcase

Step 1. Cover the Box

Start by covering the edges of the box. Cut a large rectangle of paper. You can calculate dimensions this way:

The length should cover three sides of the box + 1 inch.
The height is the one side of the box + 1 inch.
Glue the paper on the box.

Cut the corners of the excess paper. It will make it easier to fold and glue.

Fold and glue the paper on the back of the box.

Fold and glue the paper on the inside of the box.

Step 2. Cover the Cardboard Suitcase Lid

Repeat the same steps to cover the lid sides. First, cut a long rectangle of paper. You can calculate dimensions this way:

The length should cover all sides of the lid + 1 inch.
The height = lid + 1 inch.
Glue the paper on the lid sides.

Cut the corners of the excess paper, fold and glue the paper on top and inside.

Covering the back is the last step to finish the sides. Cut a rectangle the size of the backside and add 1 inch to the height.

Glue the paper, then fold and glue the edges on top and bottom.

Step 3. Cover the Bottom

Now it’s time to cover the bottom and the top of the box. You’re going to need an empty cereal box or a thin cardboard sheet.

Open the cereal box to have a flat sheet. Put the top of your shoebox on it and report dimensions.

Cut the rectangle you draw on the cardboard.

Cut a piece of paper, 1 inch wider than the cardboard rectangle. Glue the paper on the cardboard.

Cut the paper edges, fold and glue them on the back of the cardboard.

Glue it on the top of the box.

Repeat the steps with the empty cereal box to cover the bottom of the box.

Step 4. Making the Cardboard Suitcase Handle

To make the suitcase handle, you gonna need four brads, a long piece of paper (3×10”), a small piece of paper (3×4”), a cardboard rectangle (1×4”).

Glue the cardboard in the center of the paper. Fold the paper on it and glue, one side then the other.

Glue the small paper on the handle. Round off the edges and glue the handle on the suitcase.

Step 5. Attach the DIY Suitcase Handles

Make small holes with a knife.

Pass the brads through the handle and suitcase.

Step 6. Attach Velcro Lid Lock

To close the suitcase glue two pieces of velcro. One, on the top, the other, inside the lid.

Voila! Finished DIY Cardboard Suitcase

We are having a blast with cardboard and paper boxes. So, we cannot help sharing this video from Red Ted Art on how to make paper box we know you’ll also love:

With the cold seasons in full swing, you’ll have plenty of downtime at home with your kids. What better way to spend it creatively than making stuff from recyclable materials available at home now.

Have a fun time making this DIY cardboard suitcase and playing dress-up with your kids after!

Thanks for stopping by and checking out our mini suitcase tutorial! How is this project working out for you? Leave us feedback in the comments section below!

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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on June 30, 2014, and has been updated for quality and relevancy.

How To Make A Little Cardboard Suitcase | Craft Projects

How to Make a Little Cardboard Suitcase

A Fun DIY Cardboard Suitcase from Recyclable Boxes

Supplies Needed to Make a Cardboard Suitcase