DIY Giant Cardboard Princess Castle

For Ginger's Second Birthday {PARTY} I made this really fun princess castle for her out of boxes. I originally saw my idea {HERE}.

Since until very recently I had 2 toddlers in diapers, I have a million diaper boxes laying around so I primarily use those. The only down side was that they were so bright I ended up having to spray paint them with primer prior to painting them the pale yellow because it would have shown through. You could easily have went to a local business and gotten a few non-colored boxes as an alternative. The large boxes on the bottom came from a drum we had shipped to our house so I didn't have  to purchase or lug a single box, we had them all here.

#1. Gather your boxes. I made a quick plan in my head of what I wanted the castle structure to seeking out the boxes so you know what your looking for first.

#2. You will need 

-cardboard boxes

-scissors and a box cutter

-plastic zip ties (find at any hardware store, wal-mart, target...etc.

-White, flat base spray paint (only needed if brightly colored boxes)

-regular paint.......I used house paint that we had lying around. You can use anything really but the whole point is to save money so if you some extra lying around, USE IT! 

-hot glue gun and A LOT of glue sticks. I bought a big bag:)

-felt and twine for banners if you want them as decoration.

#3. After you've gathered your supplies and boxes start planning your doorways and windows. I marked mine with a marker before I cut them out so I wouldn't make too many mistakes. You can use a box cutter or scissors. I ended up using both.

After you've cut out your doors and windows use the remaining scraps to cut out cobble stones and use a hot glue gun to secure around doorways and windows for pretty accents!!!

#4. Here is my progress of accents and ran construction of the castle! 

#5. Now if you have brightly colored boxes go ahead and spray paint them with a white base coat individually. It is much easier if you do this prior to putting the castle together! 

If your boxes are brown, you can leave this step out entirely!!! I ONLY spray painted my bright boxes and left my born boxes.

#6. Now paint all boxes with whatever color you are planning to pain your castle! Let them dry thoroughly prior to constructing castle! I did all my painting outside and then constructed the castle inside. 

#7. Now you are ready to assemble your castle! 

Assemble with plastic zip ties (available at any hardware store, wal-mart or target).

I place zip ties in almost every corner. They secure the boxes very well. 

CAUTION: DO NOT CUT THE ENDS OFF ZIP TIES!!!! 

It will leave ragged edges that can and will cut little rambunctious bodies that are running everywhere! Please be careful!!!

I simply left mine with the end long and tucked it onto itself. Even if you leave the ends long, they are soft and will not harm your children. I repeat! DO NOT CUT ZIP TIES! 

Once you've assembled the castle you can decorate it! 

I made little flag garlands out of basic twine, felt flags and glue! They were adorable and really easy to make! 

Here's a view from the inside! You can see there are different wings of the castle, making more elaborate and fun!!!! 

and VOILA!!!! 

Your very own princess castle!!!!! 

My kids are still playing in it everyday but I plan to donate it to a local preschool when they are finished with it

HAPPILY EVER AFTER!!!!!!

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