Learn how to make a very unique unicorn valentines box with Duck Tape! Grab a shoebox and the free patterns – kids will love to make this!
Skills Required: Beginner. Okay, so there are some steps to this project, but this is a great one for first graders or older. There’s a template that kids can use to cut, and the rest is just taping.
I remember one of the greatest joys of my elementary school career came around the first week of February every single year – making my valentines box! I’ve never been into the romance aspect of Valentine’s Day, but I’vealways loved the crafts. There are so many reasons!
I’m not really a pink and red person, but you get to go “all out” with those colors for Valentine’s Day. Same with glitter. I like to keep my glitter usage around the holidays, and Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to use it!
But back to my valentines box. I’m loving the unicorn trend this year, and I had to make a unicorn valentines box. My little neighbor Audrey is going to take this one to school!
She’s all about unicorns, so this DIY unicorn valentines box is perfect. It’sreally easy to make with Duck Tape too. If you love crafting with your children, this is the perfect Valentine’s Day craft to make together!
Cool Valentine Boxes
One last note . . . I have two special things to call out about this unicorn valentines box. The first is I’m giving you templates for the head and tail so you don’t have to do those yourself.
The second is that this project uses the Duck Mirror Crafting Tape which is FABULOUS if you haven’t used it yet. It’s perfectly hologram for unicorn crafts. I love it so! Here’s how we made this DIY valentines box.
(get more ideas for valentine boxes here!)
Unicorn DIY Valentine Box
Gather These Supplies
- Shoebox
- Extra pieces of cardboard for head and tail
- Unicorn head and tail patterns – get them here
- Duck Tape in five colors – White, Pink, Yellow, Blue, Green
- Duck Mirror Crafting Tape (or silver or gold)
- Craft knife and mat
- Scissors
- Sharpie
Before I give you the how to, here are some notes on this craft:
- Start with an adult sized shoebox. You can also make this project with a small shoebox, but you may need to reduce the size of the templates I provide.
- I recommend using the box with the lid on one side (so that it’s taller than wider) so that you can easily remove the valentines when the time comes. But I’ll leave that up to you!
- You can add any kind of accents on the side of your unicorn valentines box that you like! I added a heart on each side.
If you’re ready to try this easy project, check out the printable how to below.
Yield: 1 box
Unicorn Valentine Box
Make a DIY valentines box that looks like a unicorn! This is easy to do with a shoebox and Duck Tape.
Prep Time15 minutes
Active Time1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time1 hour 30 minutes
DifficultyEasy
Estimated Cost$10
Materials
- Shoebox
- Extra pieces of cardboard for head and tail
- Unicorn head and tail patterns - get them here
- Duck Tape in five colors - White, Pink, Yellow, Blue, Green
- Duck Mirror Crafting Tape
- Sharpie
Tools
- Craft knife and mat
- Scissors
Instructions
- Start with an adult sized shoebox and open it open flat. Print out the templates for the unicorn head and tail and trace onto a piece of the cardboard.
- Add 2 - 3 tabs at the bottom so that you'll be able to insert them into the box for stability. Cut out.
- Trace lines on the top of the box where you are going to insert the tabs.
- Pierce the end of the box with a craft knife where you are going to insert the head and then insert to make sure it fits. Remove the unicorn head again.
- Tape the entire box with white Duck Tape, including the lid. Make sure to use your craft knife to cut the lines to insert the head again.
- Place the unicorn head down on your craft mat and tape over with white Duck Tape. Flip over and cover the other side with Duck Tape too.
- Trim the head out with a pair of scissors.
- Draw a face on the unicorn head with a Sharpie. Let dry (so it doesn't smear) and then flip over and repeat on the other side.
- Cover the horn with Mirror Duck Tape (or gold or silver) and trim.
- Use the remaining colors of Duck Tape on the mane and tail. Lay a piece of Duck Tape (about 7 1/2" - 8") down on the craft mat and cut a 1" slit in the middle at one end.
- Peel the tape up and fold it over but DO NOT close the end with the slits.
- Use those two flaps to attach the mane piece to the head and trim carefully with a craft knife or scissors.
- Use scissors to cut a wave into that piece of tape so it looks more like horse hair . . . and repeat. Finish the mane that way.
- One you are done, insert the head into the box. Open the box and fold the tabs opposite ways.
- Use the tail template to cut the tail piece out of cardboard. You'll want to make a tab here too.
- Cover the tail pieces with 1" thick pieces of Duck Tape. Trim out the tail with scissors.
- Cut slits into the back end of the box and insert the tail piece.
- Cut a slit into the top of the box. This is where the valentine cards will be inserted. You can line this opening with pink Duck Tape if you like.
What do you think of my unicorn valentine box?? Isn’t it fun?! It’s ready to receive TONS of valentines!
Happy Valentine’s Day! Let us know if you make this project in the comments. If you want to get more ideas related to Valentine’s Day that the kids might enjoy, check out the following posts:
- Printable Valentines for Kids (No Candy Ideas!)
- Valentine Emoji Oreo Pops
- Color My World Printable Valentine
- Unique Valentine Crafts for Kids
- Free Printable Unicorn Wall Art
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
I am an enthusiast and expert in crafting and DIY projects, particularly those involving children's crafts and activities. I have extensive first-hand experience in creating and teaching various craft projects, including Valentine's Day-themed crafts. My expertise includes using a variety of materials such as Duck Tape, cardboard, and other crafting supplies to create unique and engaging projects for kids.
In this article, the focus is on creating a very unique unicorn Valentine's Day box using Duck Tape. The project involves several concepts and skills related to crafting and DIY activities. Let's break down the concepts used in the article and provide information related to each one.
Materials and Tools
The article mentions specific materials and tools required for the unicorn Valentine's Day box project. These include a shoebox, extra pieces of cardboard for the unicorn head and tail, Duck Tape in five colors (white, pink, yellow, blue, green), Duck Mirror Crafting Tape, a craft knife and mat, scissors, and a Sharpie. These materials and tools are essential for creating the unicorn Valentine's Day box, and they are commonly used in various crafting and DIY projects.
Skills Required
The article mentions that this project is suitable for beginners, particularly first graders or older children. It emphasizes that the project involves using templates and taping, making it accessible and enjoyable for kids with varying skill levels. This highlights the importance of creating age-appropriate and engaging craft projects for children, as well as the value of providing step-by-step instructions and templates to facilitate the crafting process.
Template and Pattern Usage
The project involves using unicorn head and tail patterns, which are provided in the article. These templates serve as guides for cutting and assembling the cardboard pieces to create the unicorn features. The use of templates and patterns is a common practice in crafting, as it helps ensure accuracy and consistency in the final product. It also demonstrates the importance of providing visual aids and templates for children to follow during craft projects.
Creativity and Personalization
The article encourages adding personalized accents to the unicorn Valentine's Day box, such as hearts on the sides. This emphasizes the value of creativity and personalization in crafting, allowing children to express their individuality and artistic preferences while engaging in the project. It also highlights the importance of providing opportunities for children to customize and personalize their craft creations, fostering a sense of ownership and creativity.
Step-by-Step Instructions
The article provides detailed step-by-step instructions for creating the unicorn Valentine's Day box, including tracing and cutting the cardboard pieces, taping the box with Duck Tape, drawing the unicorn's face, and assembling the mane and tail. This demonstrates the importance of clear and concise instructions in crafting and DIY projects, particularly when working with children. It also highlights the significance of breaking down complex tasks into manageable steps to facilitate the crafting process for young participants.
In summary, the concepts used in the article include the selection of materials and tools, the consideration of skill levels, the use of templates and patterns, the encouragement of creativity and personalization, and the provision of step-by-step instructions. These concepts are fundamental to creating engaging and enjoyable craft projects for children, and they underscore the value of fostering creativity, skill development, and artistic expression in young individuals through crafting and DIY activities.
