Here is a cute dollhouse made out of recycled boxes and cardboard. It is ideal for barbies or other small dolls.

Supplies:

-Two boxes of equal size. (The height when turned sideways needs to accommodate the height of the doll)
-glue
-blue tape
-utility knife and or X-acto knife
-chip brush (cheap paint brush for spreading glue)
-water (to thin glue when needed)
-ruler
-cutting board
-scrapbook papers, tissue paper, stickers, paint, etc. (for decorating)

Step 1: Put the Boxes Together

The first step is to put the two boxes together. Simply lay one of the boxes on the side of the other box and glue together. I used the blue tape to hold the boxes together while they dried.

The boxes I used had handle holes, so I added some cardboard to the sides and the inside. This covered the holes as well as added strength.

I also added a thick piece of cardboard between the two boxes and on the top for strength.

Step 2: Make the Stairs

To make the stairs cut out two step sides, and stair tops to fit over each step. Make small tabs out of thin cardboard to glue the steps to the sides underneath. You can make these any size you like. I chose to do two flights of stairs with a little storage area. I wanted it to be in two pieces so that it could be stored inside the unit when not in use.

Step 3:

Finish your stair system. This one is two levels. It can be used as a stage too.

Step 4: Paint the Dollhouse

First remove any blue tape that you may have used to hold it while drying. If you do it slowly it should not strip the cardboard. If it does, don't worry the paint and paper can cover it up.

Now paint your dollhouse and stairs. I used a spray paint because I don't think it warps the cardboard as much.

Let dry.

Step 5: Decorate the House

Now add your own special touches. My daughter liked pink so that is what I did. But you could go with a natural theme or whatever. Stickers can be fun here.

Just glue on the paper with a chip brush and some water thinned glue. Don't over do the glue or you will get some warping.