Glowing Paper Robot Centerpiece ✨🤖

To celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Instructables, I created a glowing paper robot centerpiece inspired by the Instructables Robot mascot. This handmade lamp combines creativity, recycling, and festive decoration in one project. Using only thick paper, cardboard, paints, and simple LED lights, I designed a cheerful robot that glows beautifully in the dark. The robot has a cube-shaped head, a trapezium body, rainbow-colored party hat, red ears, and bright glowing eyes. With simple craft techniques like tracing, cutting, folding, painting, and assembling, this project turns into a fun and eye-catching decoration — perfect for the party celebration!

1.300 GSM thick paper / card stock

2.Scissors / Cutter

3.Scale & Pencil

4.Glue / Double-sided tape

5.Acrylic paints (Yellow, Red, Rainbow shades)

6.Black permanent marker

7.Ribbon (for bow)

8.LED tea-light or fairy light

9.Cardboard tube (for ears)

1. Trace a cube template (for the head) and a trapezium/box template (for the body) on thick 300gsm sheet.
2. Cut them out neatly.

1. Fold along the dotted lines of both templates.
2. Crease properly so the shapes hold firm.

1. Paste the folds together using glue to make a cube head and trapezoid-shaped body.
2. Attach head to body to form the robot structure.

1. Paint the entire structure bright yellow (Instructables’ iconic color).

1. Cut out two circular holes in the head for eyes (use two different radii for a fun look).
2. Draw eyebrows and a smile with marker.
3. Outline the eyes with red paint for definition.
4. On the body, draw three circular buttons and a black rectangle (as in the real robot).

1. Draw and cut a cone template from paper.
2. Paint rainbow stripes (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple).
3. Roll into a cone and paste it on the robot’s head.
4. Add a bow on top using ribbon.

1. Cut a small flap at the back of the head.
2. Insert LED light inside so the eyes glow.
3. Add another LED inside the body for extra illumination.

Now, this wonderful glowing lamp is ready!