Halloween for kids Costume ideas Cardboard robot

A cardboard box robot costume with bottle cap buttons and silver hose arms

Cardboard robot costume for kids

Ages 6+ · about 2 hours, plus drying

A cardboard robot costume is two boxes: a big one for the body and a small one for the head, painted silver with bottle cap buttons. A grown-up cuts the holes, and your kid designs and decorates the control panel.

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What you need

  • A box your kid can wear over their body, and a box that fits over their head
  • A box cutter (for the grown-up)
  • Silver paint, or kitchen foil and tape
  • Bottle caps, glue, and markers
  • Dryer vent hose or paper cups for the arms (optional)
  • Duct tape

How to make it

  1. Fit the boxesPick a body box your kid can wear with room to swing their arms, and a head box that sits on their shoulders.
  2. Cut the holes (grown-up)A grown-up cuts a head hole in the top of the body box, an arm hole in each side, and opens the bottom. In the head box, cut a wide window for the face.
  3. Make it silverPaint both boxes silver, or wrap them in foil and tape it down. Let the paint dry.
  4. Add the controlsYour kid glues bottle caps for buttons and draws dials, a screen, and a number on the chest.
  5. Try it onPut it on, walk around, and trim anything that rubs. Cover rough edges with duct tape.

Tips by age

For younger kids

Use stickers and markers for the controls instead of glue, so it is ready to wear sooner.

For older kids

Add a working light: tape a small battery LED behind a hole in the chest.

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