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How to Recycle a Lunchbox into a Dollhouse

October 29, 2015 by OneMommy

 

It was an old, beat-up lunchbox that belonged to my husband years ago.  Somehow it made its way from his parents’ basement and into our home.  Part of me wanted to give it to Goodwill and be done with it.  But then I remembered an idea I saw on Scrappalific.  I decided to turn the lunchbox into a portable dollhouse.

How to turn an old lunchbox into a portable dollhouse -- cute DIY gift idea!

 

Before I started crafting, I scrounged the house for items I thought could be used.  I found some cute scrapbook paper to use as wallpaper.  After carefully tracing the lunchbox’s shape, I cut and glued the paper to the inside of the lunchbox.

I also found a small piece of felt to use as carpet.  This I glued to the lid.

DIY portable dollhouse

 

The lunchbox was large enough that I decided to turn it into a two-story house.

I hit the recycling box and found a thick piece of cardboard.  With a bit of trimming, and folding the two sides down for extra support, I was able to glue the cardboard section into the lunchbox.

A small jewelry box filled with a cut kitchen sponge and covered with floral material became the bed.  The other half of the jewelry box became a bathroom downstairs.  The sides of the jewelry box add a wall between the kitchen and bathroom to give Lalaloopsy some privacy!

recycle an old lunchbox into a cute dollhouse

 

Pipe cleaners made a quick ladder so the dolls can go from the first floor up to the bedroom on the second floor.

 

Bottle caps and a wooden block became a simple kitchen.  For burners on the stove I used a permanent marker.    (I left the “C” visible because its my daughter’s first initial and I knew she’d get a kick our of that.)

DIY lunchbox dollhouse

 

I have to give my daughter all the credit for the bathroom.  She glued a small shell on top of an empty thread spool to be the sink.  And a piece of foil behind a broken bubble wand became the mirror.   Isn’t it cute?
DIY dollhouse

 

When we were finished she had a completely portable dollhouse she can take anywhere.  All the dolls fit inside, making it perfect for vacations or a trip to the grandparents’ house!
portable dollhouse from an old lunchbox

 

Tips for making your own lunchbox dollhouse:

  • If you don’t like the outside of your lunchbox you can easily cover it with glue and scrapbook paper.  A cover of clear contact paper would keep it nice.  Or you could spray paint it.
  • We used hot glue to glue in our wallpaper, bed, and other small details.
  • If you have a metal lunchbox, magnets make cute decorations that can easily be moved.
  • Have a superhero fan at home?  Turn that lunchbox into a superhero headquarters!

 

A portable dollhouse would make a cute DIY gift idea for birthdays or even Christmas.   

 

Filed Under: Kids Crafts Tagged With: DIY gift, recycled craft

Comments

  1. Tiffany (A Touch of Grace) says

    October 30, 2015 at 6:28 pm

    What a cute idea! And it’s portable as well!
    Thanks for sharing on the Shine Blog Hop!

    • OneMommy says

      October 30, 2015 at 11:31 pm

      She loved taking it on our latest trip!

  2. Emma says

    November 3, 2015 at 11:14 am

    I love this idea! It’s perfect for our little house because we can just fold it up when play time is done!

  3. Shelah says

    November 4, 2015 at 1:31 pm

    I saw your link on #Mom’sLibrary and I had to stop by to get the instructions and tell you how much I like this idea!

    • OneMommy says

      November 6, 2015 at 1:07 pm

      Thanks so much for stopping by!
      I have to say this little craft is one that gets used over and over around here. My daughter loves to take her house with her.

  4. Susan says

    November 5, 2015 at 8:54 am

    What an adorable and creative repurpose! I know there will be hours of fun imaginative play enjoyed with this dollhouse. Congrats! You’re featured this week at the #ThissHowWeRoll Link Party on Organized 31.

  5. Heather H says

    November 5, 2015 at 11:27 am

    Your daughter is a lucky girl! What a fun little project. My girls love carrying things around the house on “trips” – I’ll have to keep an eye out for an old lunchbox. Thanks for sharing with the #made4kids linkup.

    • OneMommy says

      November 6, 2015 at 1:06 pm

      I have considered buying one of those really small lunchboxes in the dollar section of Target to make a mini home for their Squinkies, too. 😉

  6. Becca says

    November 6, 2015 at 12:18 pm

    What a great idea! I added a link to it in my big list of ways to reuse things.

  7. Chris Carter says

    November 6, 2015 at 8:00 pm

    This is just brilliant in SO many ways!! I love how you used such creative items around the house. Sharing this so moms with young girls can do the same thing!!

Trackbacks

  1. What Do You Reuse? | The Earthling's Handbook says:
    November 6, 2015 at 12:17 pm

    […] Make an old lunchbox into a portable dollhouse, furnished with other reused items. […]

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