Back in January, when I wrote about Bug’s 2nd birthday, I also posted a tutorial on how to make a cardboard box bulldozer. Since then, I’ve had a few requests for step-by-step instructions for the cardboard box dump truck too. And since you asked so nicely…
Supplies
– 1 large box (18 x 18 x 24)
– 2 small boxes (16 x 12 x 12)
– yardstick
– pencil
– box cutter
– scissors
– glue gun
– paint
1. Hot glue one end of the large box shut.
2. On the top side, measure 6″ back from the closed end. Use a yardstick to draw a straight line across. Then, find the middle and draw a line perpendicular all the way through the back flap.
3. With a box cutter and yardstick, cut the long line first. Angle the vertical back flaps in to better support the back flap as you cut it. Then cut the perpendicular line the same way.
4. It will look like this when you fold the cuts up.
5. Fold in the backs of the top and, overlapping about an inch, hot glue together.
6. Cut off the two side flaps. Fold the bottom flap inside the body, hot gluing in place.
7. Back to the top, measure down 3″ and cut off all the way around. This step isn’t absolutely necessary, but it makes the scale of the dump truck more accurate.
8. Next, hot glue both ends of one small box. Be sure the long flaps are on the outside.
9. Center the small box on the front of the large box and hot glue in place.
10. Cut the remaining small box open so it lays flat. Trace bowls to make four circles. I used one 11″ bowl and one 14″ bowl because I like the back wheels to be larger. It’s easiest to cut these out with a regular pair of scissors.
11. I recommend painting the dump truck and the wheels separately, then attaching them after the paint is dry. But for this tutorial I’m gonna hot glue them in place you can see where they go. Glue the back wheels with a little sticking out beyond the back edge and line the front wheels up against the back of the small box. (and yes, that’s Bug’s head popping out… couldn’t keep him out at this point!)
12. Now you paint! A little paint goes a long way—I used three 8 oz tester sized jars: 1 orange, 1 black, and 1 white. I mixed the black and white to make the grey tones and used yellow from the bulldozer for accents.
If you make one, come share a photo of it on our Facebook page! »»» facebook.com/greyhouseharbor
I love these photo props! I’m making both of them for our sons second birthday! The only complaint I have is how much paint it’s taking to cover the boxes! I’ve used two sample cans of each main color and will need three total (orange for truck and yellow for the dozer). I haven’t even gotten to painting the details yet. Do you think it’s bc I used the heavy duty Home Depot moving boxes instead of their regular ones and it’s just taking more paint bc they’re thicker?
I’m wondering if spray painting the main color on might be a better solution, but not sure.
Right now I’m trying to make the car it seems really hard I wonder how long it took you right now its taking me a long time to make it seems to me that you do things really fast .I’m the mother of four kids Jatasia Nichole Derico ,Traneal Tiana Montgomery,and Syniah bowyer,and Asia Howerd, and the baby boy deanthony.
Hi Mysesia – Building the dump truck took me several nights to complete. But it sounds like you have quite the crew keeping you busy! I’m sure it would take me twice as long if I had 4 kids. Thanks for taking the time to comment… best of luck in getting it completed!
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Hi! I would love to do the dump truck for a wagon parade. I would have to cut the bottom out. Thoughts on how to modify it to attach to a child’s wagon?
I would definitely build the whole thing first and then cut out the bottom once the shape is correct. And don’t cut out the back, since I’m assuming you’d lift the child inside the wagon. Take into consideration the wagon length before beginning and find boxes that work with that dimension. Not sure about how to attach it… maybe those heavy duty velcro-type command strips?
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