Ways to Transform an Old Cardboard Box

Show Time, Pooch Perch, Home Sweet Home

Basic supplies: You'll need one, two, or three cardboard boxes (see directions for each project for sizes), a pencil, a box cutter, and a hot-glue gun. Cardboard scraps and empty wrapping-paper and paper-towel tubes will also come in handy.

Box sources: You can adjust the projects to fit the boxes you have at home. However, if you want to buy boxes in the sizes specified, go to www.uline.com or call 800-958-5463. You can also buy them from your local post office, mailing center, or moving company.

Show Time!

Let your little star act out her favorite tales in this pint-size puppet theater. Charming painted-on curtains frame the play perfectly.

Box dimensions: 18x18x18 inches

To make: Be sure top and bottom flaps of box are open. Turn box on its side so that one open end is facing you. Fold bottom flap in to create one half of the theater floor. On top flap, sketch a scallop trim and cut out with a box cutter. Sketch a curtain shape on each of side flaps. Cut out with a box cutter. Turn box around so the other open end is facing you. Fold bottom flap in to meet the other half of theater floor. Fold top flap in. Cut off side flaps and discard.

Pooch Perch

Pamper the family pet -- or your child's best stuffed toy -- with a comfy, personalized bed. Don't forget a pillow for those dog-day afternoons.

Box dimensions: 18x12x10 inches

To make: Glue bottom flaps of the box closed to secure. Fold all four top flaps in. Trim to fit if needed. To create an entrance, use a box cutter to cut out a wide crescent shape on one side.

Home Sweet Home

This humble fixer-upper makes a cozy abode for your little one's miniature-doll collection. To jazz up our dollhouse, we painted the shutters, added fabric curtains to the windows, and trimmed the roof with scalloped paper.

Box dimensions: 20x15x12 inches

To make: Glue one end of box closed (this will be the back of the house). Cut off all four flaps from front of box and set aside. To create rooms, use two rectangles from discarded flaps. One should measure the depth and length of the box, the other the depth and width. Notch them together, forming a cross. Fit inside. To stabilize the walls, create "baseboards." Cut eight 1-inch-wide strips of cardboard, and glue at the bottom of each wall. For windows, lightly sketch a rectangular shape on the outside wall of each room. Use a box cutter to slit along top and bottom and down middle of the rectangle. Push out the two halves and fold at sides to create shutters. Using our photo as a guide, glue together two scraps of cardboard to create a roof.

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