How to Make Paper Skyscrapers

eHow may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Learn more about our affiliate and product review process here.

Things You'll Need

  • Pencil

  • 6-by-6-inch shipping box cardboard street

  • Ruler

  • Scissors

  • 3-by-12-inch shipping box skyscraper walls (4)

  • 3-by-3-inch shipping box skyscraper roof

  • White glue

  • 2 cups water

  • 2 cups flour

  • Pot

  • Medium size bowl

  • 1-by-5-inch newspaper strips (multiple)

  • 1-by-5-inch paper towel strips (multiple)

  • Acrylic paint

  • Paint brush

  • 3-by-3-inch grey construction paper antenna

Use a picture of New York skyscrapers as inspiration.

Constructing a paper skyscraper model is a creative way to express your talent in visual art. Challenge children or novice art students, for example, to use paper skyscraper models in art project dioramas. Employing a paper mache technique provides the models with texture and stability for staying upright. Applying paper towel as the final exterior layer on the model, according to DLTK Kids, also offers a good surface for the absorption of acrylic paint.

Advertisement

Step 1

Draw a 6-by-6-inch square onto a piece of shipping box cardboard. Cut the square from the excess cardboard with a pair of scissors. The cardboard acts as the city street.

Video of the Day

Step 2

Outline and cut four 3-by-12-inch skyscraper walls from additional pieces of shipping box cardboard. Cut out a 3-by-3-inch shipping box skyscraper roof.

Step 3

Form the walls into a three-dimensional rectangular skyscraper model. Bond the edges of the skyscraper together with white glue. Bond the roof to the skyscraper with white glue. Center and bond the skyscraper atop the cardboard street with white glue. Allow 20 minutes for the glue to dry.

Advertisement

Step 4

Boil 2 cups of water and 2 cups of flour into a pot for 3 minutes to create a paper mache mix. Allow the mix 5 minutes to cool. Pour the mix carefully into a medium-sized bowl.

Step 5

Soak a 1-by-5-inch newspaper strip into the mix. Press the strip into the body of the skyscraper. Continue until the skyscraper and the street are covered in one layer of newspaper.

Advertisement

Step 6

Soak a 1-by-5-inch paper towel strip into the mix. Press the strip into the body of the skyscraper. Continue until the skyscraper and the street are covered in one layer of paper towel. Allow 3 hours for the craft to dry.

Step 7

Coat the street and skyscraper with acrylic paint. Allow 2 additional hours for the craft to dry.

Advertisement

Step 8

Draw and cut a 3-by-3-inch square from a piece of grey construction paper. Roll the square into a tight cylinder. Bond the outside edge of the cylinder to the paper with white glue. Center and bond one of the short sides of the cylinder to the top of the skyscraper to act as antenna.

Advertisement

Video of the Day

references