Origami Boxes

Paper crafts are one of my favorite things to do  with my kids at home. You can create this box and lid  to be a card that opens out when the lid is removed. Or you can glue or hot glue the flaps to the inside of the box and have a nice sturdy little box. The box template can be printed out on 8.5x11 paper and the box itself measures about 2 inches tall when it's completed.

 I've included the instructions for both the box and the box lid above the templates for cutting out. The nice thing about that is  you can print these out and the teens or (elementary age kids)  have the instructions with pictures right in front of them so they can follow along as you all do the craft together or try it on their own. I recommend using cardstock and not regular paper. It makes for a sturdier project.

Once the box is done, they can decorate it as they like. I used heavy card stock and paper flowers in the photos you see here. But the possibilities are endless.

This could make a great card or gift  for Mother's Day or even Father's day (with the right paper choices--comic book pages glued onto cardstock?)

For anyone who replies in the comments section, I'll create a box similar to the one pictured (but with different themes and paper) so you have a sample of your own. Don't forget to put your name and location! I'll get your little boxes to you at the next Youth Services Meeting in March. 

-Michelle Johnson

If you want to conserve paper and print out the box and lid on the same page, here’s the template for that. It’s a slightly smaller box (2 inches instead of 2 ½ inches) but is a nice alternative when doing this for a larger group.