Architectural Model Building Dream House
Design and build a scale model of a dream house from cardboard and foam board — combining architecture and design thinking.
What You'll Need
- 1Cardboard or foam board
- 2Ruler and pencil
- 3Box cutter or scissors
- 4Glue (white glue or hot glue)
- 5Paint and brushes
- 6Paper for interior details
- 7Cardboard base
What You'll Need
Cardboard or foam board for walls and roof
Ruler and pencil for measuring
Box cutter (adult supervised) or heavy scissors
Glue — white glue or hot glue gun (adult supervised)
Paint and brushes for finishing
Paper and scrap materials for interior details
A cardboard base for the foundation
How to Play
Start by sketching a floor plan on paper. How many rooms? Where are the doors? Where are the windows? Keep it simple — a house with 3 to 5 rooms is plenty.
Choose a scale. One inch equals one foot is easy to work with and produces a model about 8 to 12 inches wide.
Measure and cut walls from cardboard or foam board. Each wall needs a length and a height matching the floor plan at your chosen scale.
Cut window and door openings in the walls before assembly. Mark them in pencil first, then cut carefully. An adult should handle the box cutter.
Assemble walls by gluing them together at right angles on a cardboard base. Use hot glue for fast, strong joints. Hold each wall until the glue sets.
Create a roof — a simple peaked roof is two pieces of cardboard meeting at a ridge line. Flat roofs are even simpler.
Add details — paint the exterior, wallpaper the interior with patterned paper, make tiny furniture from cardboard scraps, add a garden with painted paper bushes and trees.
Present the model. Have your child explain their design choices — why this room layout, why this many windows, why they chose certain features.
Tips
Planning on paper before building saves materials and frustration. The sketch does not need to be perfect but it needs to exist.
Foam board is easier to cut and paint than corrugated cardboard. Available at dollar stores and office supply shops.
This project teaches real architectural thinking — how spaces connect, how light enters through windows, and how doorways create flow.
Extend this over two days. Build the structure day one, paint and detail day two.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does this activity take?
This activity takes about 90 min, with 10 min of preparation time beforehand.
What materials do I need?
You'll need: cardboard or foam board, ruler and pencil, box cutter or scissors, glue (white glue or hot glue), paint and brushes, and 2 more items.
What age is this activity for?
This activity is designed for 8-12 years. You can adapt it for younger or older children by adjusting the complexity.
Can this be done indoors?
This activity is designed for indoor play, making it perfect for rainy days or when you're staying inside.
How difficult is this activity?
This is a more challenging activity that may require advance preparation, special materials, or closer supervision. The extra effort is worth it for the learning experience!
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