How to Make a Cardboard Dollhouse

Use a large cardboard box to form the dollhouse. Ask the manager of your local supermarket if he has any empty "apple boxes" or purchase a few shallow shipping boxes from an office supply store. Although your daughter can store more accessories in a deep box, it would also be more difficult to reach into to play.

Allow one side of the box to remain completely open for easy access. Draw windows and a front door on the remaining sides with a pen or pencil. Use a box cutter or craft knife to cut out the shapes. If you'd like the door to open and close, cut a rectangle along the top, bottom and left side. Score along the right side with a bone folder so it will swing easily.

Create a second floor by adhering a second box on top of the first with packing tape. Use box cutters to trim windows from this layer, as well. If desired, affix a piece of acetate over the window holes (from the inside) to look like glass panes. Turn fabric scraps into curtains that will also cover the spots where you've taped the acetate to the cardboard.

Turn cardboard sheets into dividers to separate the boxes into smaller "rooms." Secure the pieces with packing tape or liquid adhesive applied along the top and bottom.

Paint the exterior of the dollhouse or cover it with spray paint that has a stone finish or wallpaper that looks like brick or concrete. (See Resources)

Cover the interior with photos of well-appointment rooms from home decorating magazines, wallpaper or fabric swatches, patterned paper, stickers or your daughter's drawings.

Fill the dollhouse with accessories purchased at the toy store or created at home. Print patterns and images of household items (like furniture, rugs, paintings, signs, office supplies, food boxes, games and trinkets) on cardstock and adhere them to cardboard as quick and inexpensive décor. (See Resources)