Kids Craft: How to Make an Independence Day Explosion Box

by Jamie Moesser on June 20th, 2015 | No Comments »

So, it's the day after the Fourth of July. You had a great time celebrating our country's independence with your family and/or friends, but what if your kids aren't ready for the party to be over? Or what if you live in a state, like Utah, where people celebrate America all month long? Try making this patriotic "explosion box" with them! It's so easy!

I originally discovered this fun craft at my monthly Stampin' Up card club, but there is a tutorial and many variations available at SplitCoastStampers.com as well. If you and your kids know how to fold paper, that's all the skill you need to do this. That, and these tools:

How to Make an Independence Day Explosion Box

Materials:

One sheet tan cardstock, 8 1/2 x 11
One sheet dark red or maroon cardstock, 8 1/2 x 11
A paper cutter with both cutting and scoring blades. If you don't have these, you can use scissors, a ruler, and the blunt edge of a butter knife.
Ribbon
Stamp ink
Stamps
Glue dots

Directions:

Step 1—The Box

Trim the sheet of tan cardstock down to a 7 1/2" square.

Score your tan piece of cardstock 2 1/2" and 5" in from one edge, then turn it 90 degrees and do the same. You should end up with a scored grid of nine 2 1/2" squares. Score the four corner squares diagonally from the outside corner toward the middle square.If you want to add any decoration to it, now's the time. I stamped the word "sparkle" in Versamark in random places to decorate my box.

Fold all scores. Fold the diagonal scores in towards the middle of the box, and then hold to the sides. There is no need to add adhesive. When the box is opened by the recipient, it will gently "explode" open if not adhered. I folded everything in and held with clips just for demonstration purposes.

Step 2—The Lid

Cut the maroon piece of cardstock down to 4 1/4" and score it at 7/8" in from all four sides. You should have a smaller grid of nine squares of differing proportions. Cut the horizontal score lines of the corner squares until they intersect with the vertical lines.

See those little tabbies that are sticking up? Stick some glue dots on the underside of all four of them, and then fold each side and tuck the tabby in and adhere it to the inside of the neighboring side.

Step 3—Put It All Together...

Unclip the box and tuck it into the lid. Decorate. I tied with ribbon, stamped and embossed a star and "sparkle" tag. Fill with candy, like Hot Tamales, or add a little saying or picture to the bottom of the interior of the box.

Have fun!