DIY Dinosaur Gift Box

 

Ahh, the existential quandary, how to make a boy’s present more interesting and occupy my toddler at the same time?  A Dinosaur themed gift box of course!  This epiphany occurred after staring at the wasteland of paper boxes, preschool worksheets (I super pinky swear I kept the ones that will get her into Harvard), and  random acts of coloring amassed in my small office closet.  I had vaguely remembered the fancy pants technique of “decoupage” from grade school and quickly confirmed it with Google.  The ROI on this project was stupendous:  Daughter entertained for 20 minutes, I got my creative fix, the box was chez cute, chez different, recipient loved it, box can be saved for storage/decor, and –warning, super trendy word coming up- I “upcycled”.

What you need:

-A paper box

-Enough paper scraps to cover lid and base of box if you desire both

-Mod Podge (available at any craft store)

-Paper plate

-Decorative/Electrical tape

-Scissors

-Foam paint brush

-Some form of super glue

-A plastic figurine (those of you w small children will have tons – thrift stores are great too). Check under your sofa cushions and paleeze avoid any that are headless or otherwise dismembered, although they would make a spectacular Halloween box….)

 

What to do:

-Cover your work station with a tablecloth and your child with a smock (fancy pants for old clothes)

-Pour Mod Podge onto plate and apply a thin layer of glue to paper cut outs (vary the sizes and shapes, I went with squares) placing them all over box

-Wait about an hour

-Apply a thin layer of Mod Podge over your creation with foam brush

-Let dry for a couple hours

-Border edges of box with tape

-Glue your figurine somewhere on box (I let mine cure overnight)

Sit back, admire the collaboration, and  know the little recipient will appreciate your effort.  Of course, there is the added bonus of besting all the licensed action hero gift bags at the party 😉