Turn a Cardboard Box Into a Whimsical Tree Stump Home
Cardboard is one of my favorite crafting materials.
It’s free, easy to find, and wonderfully forgiving. Kids don’t have to worry about “messing it up,” which gives them the freedom to experiment, problem-solve, and create with confidence.
Supplies You’ll Need
- Cardboard boxes or scraps
- Scissors or a craft knife (adult use only)
- Hot glue or craft glue
-
Spray paint ( optional )
- Cardstock or additional cardboard for details
- Felt for leaves and flowers ( I used mini doilies )
- Tiny dolls or woodland friends ready to move in
Use what you already have. That’s part of the fun.
How to Make a Cardboard Tree Stump Home
1. Create the Tree Stump Shape
Start with a cardboard box or roll as the base of your home.
Trim it to your desired height and shape. Tree stumps aren’t perfectly straight, so don’t worry about making everything even.
If you’d like multiple levels, stack and glue additional pieces of cardboard inside.
Below are the exact measurements I used:
( Make sure you cut your box to where you can fold along the corrugated lines - this helps to shape it into a log shape )
2. Add a Door and Windows
Sketch a rounded door and a few whimsical windows directly onto the cardboard.
( I used a bowl to trace aroound for the doorway ) - Carefully cut them out.
3. Make the Bark
I used small strips of cardboard and hot glued them all around the top to create a fun texture.
Remember: nature isn’t symmetrical.
The more imperfect, the more charming.
4. Paint Your Stump
I painted the entire inside of the stump with some pink spray paint I had on hand. You can use anything you want though, the sky is the limit!
Magic doesn’t follow rules.
5. Decorate and Personalize
Add tiny details that make the house feel lived in:
- mushroom stepping stones,
- a welcome sign,
- moss around the base,
- flower boxes beneath the windows,
- a twig ladder,
- tiny artwork inside,
- a leaf roof,
- or miniature furniture made from scraps.
We used the items above, I like to keep my tree homes simple.
I had some mini doilies on hand and so I decided to use those as flowers, it certainly added some whimsy!
Extend the Play
Once your tree stump home is complete, the real fun begins.
Invite your children to:
- create characters who live inside,
- build additional woodland buildings,
- design tiny accessories,
- write stories about the residents,
- or act out adventures together.
I hope you have fun creating your own Tree Stump Home!
Do you want to try some of our other mini crafts? Try these mini chairs here
