Cardboard Box Guitar Craft

Last Updated on May 18, 2023 by ellen

Check out this fun cardboard box guitar craft and strum along to The Swan Princess: Kingdom of Music DVD that’s now available! Your kids will have so much fun learning how to make a homemade guitar. And, they’ll love watching this DVD that’s released to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Golden Globe-nominated animated classic The Swan Princess.

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Cardboard Box Guitar Craft & Kingdom of Music DVD

The Swan Princess: Kingdom of Music

So, The Swan Princess is a magical, musical animated adventure based on the classic fairy tale “Swan Lake†has captured the hearts of audiences around the world. The winner of the Film Advisory Board Award of Excellence and the Parents’ Choice Award, it’s the heartwarming story of the beautiful princess Odette, who is transformed into a swan by an evil sorcerer’s spell. Read more about The Swan Princess: Kingdom of Music in this post.

Included with the Kingdom of Music DVD are interactive sing-alongs featuring two all-new toe-tapping tunes from the film and a behind-the-scenes featurette that explores how the world and characters of the film were brought to life. So, while the kids are enjoying this amazing movie, why not have them create a cardboard box guitar craft so they can play along with the music. 

Cardboard box guitar craft directions

How to make a cereal box guitar craft

Check out the easy directions to make your own cardboard box guitar craft. So, you can begin with a variety of different boxes so just look around for what you have available. If you start with a tissue box, it will have a hole already cut into it. If you start with a cereal box or a popsicle box, you will need to cut your own hole in the center.

Cardboard Box Guitar Craft & Kingdom of Music DVD

Also, please be sure that if you need to cut a hole in your box, you do this for your younger child. Do not let them use an Exacto knife or box knife on their own. So, even with good manual dexterity, it’s too easy to have an accident. Alternately, you can use scissors if you’re careful not to cut too much.

supplies for this craft

Cardboard box guitar craft supplies

  • 1 Facial Tissue Box (or Cereal Box or Popsicle Box)
  • 1 Paper Towel Roll
  • 2 Popsicle Sticks
  • 4-6 Rubber Bands
  • Masking Tape
  • White Paint
  • Craft Paint in desired colors
  • Scissors
  • Exacto Knife or Box Knife
  • Hot Glue Gun

craft supplies

How to build a simple guitar

  • With the box knife or Exacto knife, cut a 4-inch wide diameter circle from the center of the widest part of the box (not necessary if you’re using a facial tissue box, because you can just use the hole already there, but do make sure the plastic has been removed). This will be the base for this cardboard box guitar craft.
  • With your scissors, cut six slits in one end of the paper towel roll, about 2-3 inches long.
  • Fold the slats outward, creating a base for the paper towel roll.

making a simple guitar

  • Flatten this on one side of the box and tape it in place because this forms the handle.

base of the guitar and handle

  • With the glue gun, attach the popsicle sticks onto the other end of the paper towel roll as frets.

rubber band guitar

  • Paint the entire guitar white because you’ll want to decorate on it. Allow the paint to dry completely.

painting the guitar

  • Paint the guitar with the craft paint, as desired. Allow the paint to dry completely.

decorating the homemade guitar

  • Wrap the rubber bands around the box–don’t try to stretch them up to the frets because that will crush your guitar. Just wrap them around the box.
  • So, now that the cardboard box guitar craft is complete, you can start playing! 

Cardboard Box Guitar Craft & Kingdom of Music DVD

Finally, you can scroll down for a printable version of this cardboard box guitar craft if you need it. And, check out the sneak preview for this DVD. I love the music and the story! Not only is the music fun and upbeat. But, the story itself is a great adventure. So, if you have kids that enjoy princess movies, they’ll love this one. In addition, they’ll enjoy making their own cardboard box guitar craft to play along.

Fun fact

So, here is a fun fact for you. Did you know that The Swan Princess was an adaptation of Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake? Nest Entertainment adapted the story of Swan Lake with an animated movie called The Swan Princess. 

So, buy The Swan Princess: Kingdom of Music on Amazon because the kids will really enjoy it! If you have a lot of f rubber bands, here are some fun things to do with rubber bands.

You may want to pretend to play some of this Irish music for kids.

Yield: 1

Cardboard Box Guitar Craft

Cardboard Box Guitar Craft & Kingdom of Music DVD

The kids will enjoy this cardboard box guitar craft!

Prep Time 15 minutes
Additional Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Difficulty easy
Estimated Cost $3

Materials

  • 1 Facial Tissue Box (or cereal box or popsicle box)
  • 1 Paper Towel Roll
  • 2 Popsicle Sticks
  • 4-6 Rubber Bands
  • Masking Tape
  • White Paint
  • Craft Paint in desired colors
  • Scissors
  • Exacto Knife or Box Knife
  • Hot Glue Gun

Tools

  • scissors
  • Exacto blade

Instructions

  1. With the box knife or Exacto knife, cut a 4-inch wide diameter circle from the center of the widest part of the box (not necessary if you’re using a facial tissue box, because you can just use the hole already there, but do make sure the plastic has been removed).
  2. With your scissors, cut six slits in one end of the paper towel roll, about 2-3 inches long.
  3. Fold the slats outward, creating a base for the paper towel roll.
  4. Flatten this on one side of the box and tape it in place.
  5. With the glue gun, attach the popsicle sticks onto the other end of the paper towel roll as frets.
  6. Paint the entire guitar white. Allow the paint to dry completely.
  7. Paint the guitar with the craft paint, as desired. Allow the paint to dry completely.
  8. Wrap the rubber bands around the box--don’t try to stretch them up to the frets, that will crush your guitar. Just wrap them around the box.
  9. Enjoy!

Did you make this project?

If you make this, tag me on Instagram so I can see (@ellenblogs)

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