Makedo Car From a Sun Basket Box

Once your Sun Basket delivery has been safely stowed in the kitchen, the fun can begin.

The Sun Basket box is a fantastic resource for creative Makedo cardboard construction projects. To get things moving, we transformed the box into a perky little cardboard car. The result is a sturdy vehicle that is ready for hours of pretend play.

MAKEDO TIP: When measuring widths and distances of features during this project, you can be as precise as you like. We chose to make the most of what was in front of us, which meant our hands and fingers became useful devices to mark against. When we needed to rule a straight line, a spare piece of cardboard gave us just the edge we were looking for.

The first step is an easy one. Remove the main flap and set it aside, we will use the material in step 13.

To make a comfortable shape for the seat back, we will cut a curve from the inner flap of the Sun Basket box and then fold it down against tabs created from the side panels.

Begin by measuring a curve on the inner flap. We've used the width of one hand at each edge, and the width of two fingers in the center.

Cut along your curved line neatly. We want to keep the cardboard that has been removed, because it will be used later as the source material for the steering wheel.

Fold the flap with the curved cut upwards so that it is out of your way.

Using your chosen measuring device, mark a point at the top edge of the box. We have used our hand width for this dimension. Turning the box for easier access, measure the same distance on the side panel from the back of the box. Then measure again from the top edge, so that you have the information you need to rule a straight line from the corner of the box at 45 degrees. We want the line to extend one hand-width from the back edge of the box.

Now punch a series of holes with the Mini-Tool along the line. These holes will enable the cardboard to fold neatly exactly where we want it to.

Rule a cutting line upwards from the end of the dotted line, to the top edge of the box. Cut along this line, allowing a tab to fold inwards along the dots.

Repeat for the opposite side as shown.

While holding the tabs in from the previous step, fold down the curved seat back as shown in the first image. Using the Makedo Mini-Tool, punch a hole through both layers of cardboard and then flip the Mini-Tool over and firmly attach the Scru. Repeat to attach one Scru on each of the folded tabs.

MAKEDO TIP: Before making a connection, you can insert a Scru into the socket on the Mini-Tool so that you're ready to go once the hole has been punched.

Rule a horizontal line from the end of the folded tabs all the way across the side panel. Be sure to keep the line parallel with the top edge of the box. We used our hand measure again to mark the line.

Punch holes using the Mini-Tool halfway along the line. Next we will cut off the corner piece. Carefully cut down from the corner, and then continue to cut the rest of the way along the ruled line as shown. Be sure to stop when you get to the punched holes! To remove the corner piece cut down from the middle of the top edge as shown.

Repeat for both sides of the box.

To create an angle for the front of the car, first measure one hand-width from the front and mark it on the side panel.

Next, measure down along the front edge, and again mark on the side panel as shown.

Rule a line between these two points and punch holes. Then carefully cut from the top edge down to where the punched holes meet at the front.

Repeat on both sides. These triangular flaps can be folded inwards, to support the bonnet.

Punch a row of holes across the front, joining the bottom corners of the two triangular flaps. The bonnet can now be folded back to rest against the flaps, ready for connection with a Makedo Scru.

First reach inside and fold the two triangular flaps inwards. You should then be able to fold the front panel back against them, so that it rests at a 45 degree angle.

Using the Mini-Tool, punch a hole through the front and into one of the flaps, then firmly attach with a Makedo Scru.

Repeat for the other side.

MAKEDO TIP: When placing Scrus in key positions, like here near where "headlights" could be, it is a good idea to try to locate them symmetrically. The same goes for robot or animal eyes, too! That way the Scru can become a feature of the creation's details.

In this step we cut out the shape of the dashboard for the Sun Basket car.

Fold the top flap down and measure at the centre. We suggest marking at about one hand's width onto the cardboard panel.

Next, draw an arc shape from the corner of the fold, through the centre point and then back to the corner on the other side. Cut along this line and remove the excess material.

On each side of the Sun Basket Car, fold down the panels along the dotted line. It will look neater to fold the panels towards the interior of the car.

To secure them into place, attach a Makedo Scru in the approximate location of a "door handle".

We are going to use the top flap removed in Step 1 for the wheels.

Start off by finding a household item that can fit four times onto the available material. In our kitchen we found small bowls or saucers were the best option.

Position them so that you can trace out four identical circular wheel shapes, and then proceed to carefully cut out each wheel.

Position the wheels near the base of the box so that there is a small overlap - about two finger-widths. This allows for more space for the door in the following steps.

Use the Mini-Tool to punch a hole in the centre of each wheel, and through to the side of the box. Attach securely with a Makedo Scru.

To mark out the cut line for the doors,

Rule a vertical line at the point where the door panel was folded inwards in Step 9. Measure down from the top of the door to about one finger-width from the front wheel. Punch a row of holes, this will become the door hinge.

For the rear wheel, measure down from the end of the diagonal side panel to approx. one finger-width above the rear wheel.

Mark out a door shape using these reference points, and then carefully cut. We punched a hole at each turn to make the cutting easier. Be careful not to cut the door hinge!

Use the remaining panel cut from the inner flap in Step 3, and trace a small bowl or plate for your steering wheel shape.

Carefully cut out the circular steering wheel, and then use the Mini-Tool to pierce a hole in the centre through to the dash panel.

Don't connect with a Scru yet! First, we want to insert a ScruXL into the hole, and over-turn it a few times. This will shred the cardboard around the connection on the wheel, allowing it to rotate freely once connected to the car.

After you have turned the wheel on the Scru a few extra times, then connect it to the dashboard of the Sun Basket Car.

Congratulations, your Makedo Sun Basket cardboard box car is complete.

Jump in and go for a drive, or load it up with toys and head out on an adventure.

Tag your creation photos and videos with #sunbasketmakedo