Halloween Cardboard Fun House

One of the best things about having children in my book is revisiting the past loves of your own childhood. When your children start to love the things you used to (and still) love, it is one of the great gems of a life with children. When my son’s love for trains reached a high, I was thrilled when St. Nick brought a Lionel Train Set to our home. The joy on my face probably matched his that morning, and I may have hogged the set a little bit that Christmas morning.

My son also loves making and building things. Maybe it is the Waldorf education he is getting or genetics, but creating is in his blood. He can build a fine dwelling place out of wood blocks, legos or leaves. Whether we are at the beach, on a hike or in the living room chances are a good day doesn’t end until a hut or house or shed has been elaborately constructed. Because I too loved to make things as a child and still do, this is a part of my parenting life that I treasure. This Haunted Fun House is the inspired result of our love for making something from nothing. It is a soul satisfying endeavor and more importantly, it. is. fun. I invite you to try it.

Along with the instructions below, I would like to add a last step for parents. Make this with your school aged child, and play along. Remember a time, when you spent hours in a make believe world of your own creation. I also invite you to use this printable as a template only, and make this house your own. You can color, paint, paper cache the cardboard, and let your imagination take the lead. In my humble opinion, it is a stress reliever better than a glass of wine, I swear!

Supplies you need: Cereal boxes, Scissors, Card Stock, Glue Stick

Download the printable HERE.

Step One: Print out 2 copies of the walls and floors as specified on the printable sheet. You will be using them to cover both sides of the cardboard. Cut out all the all of the panels.

Step two: Glue the panels onto one side of the cardboard and cut the cardboard. Then glue the color panel to the other side. You should have 2 floors and 4 walls when you are done.

Step three: Cut the slits on all of the panels. Depending on the thickness of the cardboard and paper that you use you may have to adjust the size of the slits.

Step Four: Slide the walls into the slits of the floors so that they form the house.