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