How to Make an Army Fort for Plastic Army Men

Draw a rectangle on one large flat side of the empty cereal box, roughly one inch from the edges of the box. Use the ruler to make several marks along all four edges, one inch from the edge towards the middle of the box. Then connect the marks with the ruler and a pencil or marker.

Cut the center rectangle out from that side of the box. This can be done with scissors by cutting diagonally from one corner to the corner of the inner rectangle, then cutting along the lines drawn for that inner rectangle. Set the inner rectangle piece aside.

Tape or glue the open end of the cereal box closed, cutting a door in the cereal box flaps before gluing shut, if desired. To cut a door, measure and draw the lines for a square or rectangle big enough for the army men on the flaps of the box. Then cut one side, the top and the bottom of the rectangle, leaving the other side attached. Crease that edge and now the door can be moved open or closed.

Glue construction paper to the outside of the box, as well as the flaps made on the large flat side where the fist rectangle was cut out. Use green, brown, black, or whatever color is desired for the fort.

Tape toothpicks to the back sides of flaps made on the top side of the box to help make them stand straight up. If desired, cut small squares from the top edges of these flaps to produce the look of old-fashioned forts and castles.

Glue brown construction paper to the inside of the box, at least on the bottom, to simulate a dirt or stone floor. Small rocks can be collected from outside and used to add to the appearance of the fort as well, like props. Alternatively, spread glue across the "floor" then sprinkle with sand, allow to dry completely, then shake off the excess sand outside.

Line the army men up inside the fort, to defend it, and scatter a few army men around the fort for extra perimeter protection. The army men outside the fort may be scouts or snipers.