How to Make a City Skyline From Cardboard

Collect small narrow boxes of all shapes and sizes to use as buildings. Boxes for toothpaste, medicine, pasta and contact solution are the perfect size. If you do not have small boxes, cut down cereal boxes or larger cardboard and tape two corner pieces together. If using cereal boxes or other boxes with flaps, leave part of the top flap attached and tape it down to make the roof. Tape another piece to the bottom.

Paint the boxes with acrylic paint if they have glossy surfaces. Any paints will work well on brown cardboard.

Cover all buildings with black paint if creating a skyline silhouette against a night sky. Once the paint is dry, paint yellow windows to indicate lights on in buildings.

Choose lighter grays and whites and paint squared windows for a daytime skyline. Measure lines to make the lines for windows parallel. If painting the skyline with children, encourage them to be creative in their use of color.

Use a thin, sturdy box for a foundation. Glue the painted boxes where you want your buildings, arranging them in straight lines if you want your city on a grid. Place taller boxes next to shorter boxes for an interesting skyline.

Create a backdrop from a large piece of sturdy cardboard cut to match the width of the foundation and your desired height. Paint a day or night sky or use construction paper to cover the backdrop.

Glue the backdrop to the back of the foundation. Add details such as trees, lampposts and people.