How to Make a Cardboard Play Camper
Turn cardboard scraps into a fun play area for the kids.
![Cardboard Play Camper](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/video/0/02/027/0270/0270049.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.1280.720.85.suffix/1661787753727.webp)
Take the kids camping without leaving your home. Transform spare carboard into a vintage camper that will provide hours of fun for little ones.
Materials
- cardboard boxes
- box cutter
- hot glue
- paint
- hook and loop tape
Gather Materials
Gather large pieces of cardboard to make the body of the camper (Image A). Use smaller pieces of scrap cardboard to make the accessory pieces (Image B).
![Gather scrap cardboard to make the accessories for the camper.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2017/8/29/1/Original_Loch-and-Key_EDI_600_9.1a_grabbing_spare_cardboard.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1504105223206.webp)
Andy Vinson of Loch & Key Productions
Image A
![Use scrap cardboard to make the accessory pieces for the play camper.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2017/8/29/1/Original_Loch-and-Key_EDI_600_9.1_grabbing_spare_cardboard.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.924.85.suffix/1504105242080.webp)
Andy Vinson of Loch & Key Productions
Image B
Cut It Out
Cut off the side flaps of a large piece of cardboard. Draw a large oval shape onto the remaining cardboard. Then, carefully cut around the oval shape with a box cutter and remove the excess.
![Cardboard Play Camper Cutting Oval B cutting cardboard](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2017/8/29/1/Original_Loch-and-Key_EDI_600_9.2b_cutting_large_box_into_oval.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1504105210612.webp)
Andy Vinson of Loch & Key Productions
Draw a square on one end of the camper body. This will be the window. Then, draw a door shape in the middle of the camper. Cut out the window with a box cutter.
![Cardboard Play Camper Cutting Windows cutting cardboard](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2017/8/29/1/Original_Loch-and-Key_EDI_600_9.3_cutting_windows_into_oval.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.924.85.suffix/1504098946644.webp)
Andy Vinson of Loch & Key Productions
Next, cut out the door, leaving the left side of it connected to the main body frame (Image A). Lift up the door and fold towards the left edge still attached to the body of the camper (Image B).
![Cut out a door for the play camper.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2017/8/29/1/Original_Loch-and-Key_EDI_600_9.4_cutting_out_door.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.924.85.suffix/1504098919728.webp)
Andy Vinson of Loch & Key Productions
Image A
![Cut our a door for the play camper.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2017/8/29/1/Original_Loch-and-Key_EDI_600_9.4a_cutting_out_door.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.924.85.suffix/1504105241250.webp)
Andy Vinson of Loch & Key Productions
Image B
On the inside of the door, lay a bowl or place on the top, center of the door and trace (Image A). This will be the door's window. Use a box cutter to cut out the window in the door (Image B).
![Use a circular object to trace around to create a window for the door.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2017/8/29/1/Original_Loch-and-Key_EDI_600_9.4b_cutting_out_door.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1504098898294.webp)
Andy Vinson of Loch & Key Productions
Image A
![Cut out the circle for the door's window.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2017/8/29/1/Original_Loch-and-Key_EDI_600_9.4c_cutting_out_door.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1504098833129.webp)
Andy Vinson of Loch & Key Productions
Image B
Trace a circle around a bowl onto some of the space cardboard to make the wheel of the camper. You will need three different circle sizes for the wheel. When you're finished tracing, cut the wheel out with a box cutter.
![Cardboard Play Camper Cut Out Wheel tracing around a bowl](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2017/8/29/1/Original_Loch-and-Key_EDI_600_9.5_cutting_wheel_out_of_scrap_cardboard.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1504098909002.webp)
Andy Vinson of Loch & Key Productions
Draw a scalloped edge that will go on the bottom edge of the camper.
![Cardboard Play Camper Cutting Out Wheel A cutting cardboard](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2017/8/29/1/Original_Loch-and-Key_EDI_600_9.5a_cutting_wheel_out_of_scrap_cardboard.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1504098919397.webp)
Andy Vinson of Loch & Key Productions
Use spare cardboard to cut out window accent pieces. These details will make all the difference in the end.
![Cardboard Play Camper Cut our Window cutting carboard](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2017/8/29/1/Original_Loch-and-Key_EDI_600_9.6_cutting_out_windows_panes_and_siding.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1504098722777.webp)
Andy Vinson of Loch & Key Productions
Use the body of the camper to trace the door frame and window onto another larger piece of cardboard. This will be the frame that the front of the camper will attach to later.
![Cardboard Play Camper Cut out Windows A tracing on cardboard](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2017/8/29/1/Original_Loch-and-Key_EDI_600_9.6a_cutting_out_windows_panes_and_siding.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1504098721256.webp)
Andy Vinson of Loch & Key Productions
Paint + Glue
Paint the cardboard cutouts.
![Cardboard Play Camper Paint colorful cardboard cutouts](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2017/8/29/1/Original_Loch-and-Key_EDI_600_9.7paint_them.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1504098708145.webp)
Andy Vinson of Loch & Key Productions
Use a hot glue gun to attach the cardboard pieces. Add a liberal amount of hot glue to the bottom edge of the camper and secure the blue scallop detail.
![Cardboard Play Camper Attaching Pieces C gluing blue and white cardboard pieces](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2017/8/29/1/Original_Loch-and-Key_EDI_600_9.8c_attaching_pieces.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1504094065426.webp)
Andy Vinson of Loch & Key Productions
Add panes to the window of the camper. Glue the larger rectangle window frame to the outside of the window on the camper.
![Cardboard Play Camper Attaching Pieces G attaching paper window](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2017/8/29/1/Original_Loch-and-Key_EDI_600_9.8g_attaching_pieces.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1504093915819.webp)
Andy Vinson of Loch & Key Productions
Glue on the window box and don't forget the flowers.
![Cardboard Play Camper Attaching Pieces I hand placing red paper tulips to cardboard window box](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2017/8/29/1/Original_Loch-and-Key_EDI_600_9.8i_attaching_pieces.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1504093940689.webp)
Andy Vinson of Loch & Key Productions
Attach the extra door cutout to the door attached to the camper. Reinforce the "hinge" with a long piece of cardboard and glue.
![Cardboard Play Camper Attaching Pieces H hands pressing down red cardboard peice](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2017/8/29/1/Original_Loch-and-Key_EDI_600_9.8h_attaching_pieces.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1504093953342.webp)
Andy Vinson of Loch & Key Productions
Attach the wheel base to the play camper.
![Cardboard Play Camper Attaching Pieces K hands placing cardboard circle](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2017/8/29/1/Original_Loch-and-Key_EDI_600_9.8k_attaching_pieces.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1504093957252.webp)
Andy Vinson of Loch & Key Productions
Assembly
Add velcro tape to frame (Image A). Attach the front of the camper to the main frame of the camper (Image B) as well as the decorative pendant (Image C).
![Add velcro tape to frame.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2017/8/29/1/Original_Loch-and-Key_EDI_600_9.9_adding_velcro_to_frame.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1504054222845.webp)
Andy Vinson of Loch & Key Productions
Image A
![Attach the window frame with velcro tape.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2017/8/29/1/Original_Loch-and-Key_EDI_600_9.9a_adding_velcro_to_frame.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1504093939480.webp)
Andy Vinson of Loch & Key Productions
Image B
![Attach pendant to the play camper.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2017/8/29/1/Original_Loch-and-Key_EDI_600_9.10_velcroing_frame_to_washer_box.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1504054266825.webp)
Andy Vinson of Loch & Key Productions
Image C
Accessorize
Little camp accessories like a lantern adds to the ambience.
![Cardboard Play Camper Latern red lantern, pillow and play camper](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2017/8/29/1/Original_Loch-and-Key_EDI_600_9.11a_beauty.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1504054138342.webp)
Andy Vinson of Loch & Key Productions
Your little campers will enjoy the fun of the great outdoors from the comfort of home.
![Faux log and a campfire makes indoor s'mores more fun.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2017/8/29/1/Original_Loch-and-Key_EDI_600_9.11b_beauty.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1504054127805.webp)
Andy Vinson of Loch & Key Productions
![Use string lights, pillows, rugs and small furniture to make the inside of the play camper cozy.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2017/8/29/1/Original_Loch-and-Key_EDI_600_9.11e_beauty.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.924.85.suffix/1504054121978.webp)
Andy Vinson of Loch & Key Productions
![Accessorized the campsite with a pendant banner, throw pillow and lantern.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2017/8/29/1/Original_Loch-and-Key_EDI_600_9.11d_beauty.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.924.85.suffix/1504054148876.webp)
Andy Vinson of Loch & Key Productions