From the page: The Tetra Pak gives much more than it seems
Idea 7
Colorful building-block toys
Cartons with an inner layer of aluminum and plastic became famous in the 1990s as craft material in schools and NGOs, because they're firm, waterproof and take paint very well. The magic is in the structure: seven thin layers joined together give the sheet a strength close to thin wood, ideal for cutouts that need to keep their shape through daily use by children.
What you need
- Long-life cartons, washed and dried
- Good scissors and craft knife (adult use)
- Ruler and pencil for marking
- White glue or hot glue
- Gouache or acrylic paint, or foam sheets for covering
- Colored adhesive tape or washi tape for finishing the edges
How to make it
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1
Wash the cartons well inside with water and detergent and let them dry open — the plasticized inner surface keeps moisture from ruining the toy once it's finished.
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2
Undo the glued seams and cut flat sheets, removing the creased parts — smooth sheets guarantee precise fits.
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3
Draw simple interlocking shapes on the sheets: little squares with a center slot for building castles, large puzzle pieces, or rectangular blocks closed with glue and decorated with little faces — the slot must be the same thickness as the sheet, neither wider nor tighter.
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4
For the blocks, cut rectangles, crease the folds with the tip of the scissors against the ruler and close with hot glue — a marked crease keeps the cardboard from bulging at the fold.
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5
Paint or cover each piece and let it dry on a smooth surface — the outer plastic layer holds acrylic paint well, which doesn't peel with handling.
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6
Cover the cut edges with colored adhesive tape — this protects the little ones from any rough corners and gives a nice finish.
Finishing touches
Build a themed set, like farm animals or pieces to assemble a little town, and store everything in a box made from another larger carton. For younger babies, avoid small pieces and prefer large stacking blocks.
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