Transform an ordinary box into a trio of Recycled Cardboard Cactus with acrylic craft paint, colored pencils, and a set of Free Printable Patterns. Straight out of the recycle bin and perfect for everyone (like me) with a black thumb! Dollar Tree supplies make this a quick, easy, and affordable craft.
Read on below, and download the free printable patterns to see how easy this craft is to make with your kids. Also, be sure to check out all of our Recycled Crafts for even more ideas!
DIY Cactus from Upcycled Cardboard
This post, Recycled Cardboard Cactus, contains affiliate links. Using links to these sites means I will earn a percentage of the purchase at no extra cost to you.
Here's what you need to make Upcycled Cardboard Cactus
- Cardboard Box – either a Delivery Box or Food Box would work
- DecoArt Americana Acrylic Craft Paint – Titanium White, Foliage Green, Hauser Medium Green, Festive Green
- Clay Flowerpots – Dollar Tree
- Kunin Classic Felt Scraps in Bright Colors
- Rocks or Glass Pebbles, Small – Dollar Tree
- Sand – Dollar Tree
- Duct Tape – Dollar Tree
- 1500 Colored Pencils – Tombow
- MONO Twin Permanent Marker, Black – Tombow
- Glue Gun and Glue Sticks – Dollar Tree
- Basecoat Paintbrush Set – DecoArt
- Scissors – I love my Fiskars!
- RECYCLED CARDBOARD CACTUS PATTERNS download from the bottom of this post ⇓
Here's how to create Cactus from Recycled Cardboard
STEP ONE
To begin, gather all supplies. Download, print, and cut out RECYCLED CARDBOARD CACTUS PATTERNS from the bottom of this post. Flatten a corrugated cardboard box or chipboard food box. Trace patterns onto the cardboard with the MONO Twin permanent marker. I love drawing and tracing with the MONO Twin Permanent Marker from Tombow because it has a large bullet tip and a small extra fine tip.
Cut out all cactus patterns with scissors. Double-cut the slits to the width of your cardboard.
Then slide both pieces together to make sure the cactus shapes fit.
STEP TWO
Basecoat the smallest clay flowerpot completely with Titanium White acrylic craft paint, and let dry. Paint the medium clay flowerpot top, leaving a one-inch section natural at the bottom. Basecoat the largest clay flowerpot bottom, leaving the rim natural. Let paint dry, and apply a second coat, if necessary.
Doodle designs onto the clay flowerpots with a permanent black marker. Think of modern patterns like triangles, scallops, and a mix of horizontal and vertical lines.
STEP THREE
Paint all sides of the Prickly Pear Cactus pattern pieces with Hauser Medium Green acrylic craft paint. Basecoat the front, back, and sides of the Barrel Cactus pattern pieces with Festive Green acrylic craft paint. Paint all sides of the Cereus Cactus pattern pieces with Foliage Green acrylic craft paint. Let paint dry, and apply a second coat, if necessary. I love Americana Acrylics from DecoArt because they have one-coat coverage on most surfaces.
Once dry, lay all cactus pieces flat and draw needle patterns to each cactus with different shades of colored pencils. Look at pictures of real cactus to see what the needle patterns look like. The 1500 Colored Pencils from Tombow are perfect for all of your coloring needs with 36 bright and vibrant colors!
Assemble each cactus, securing all pieces with a glue gun and glue sticks. These cactus look so very modern while still bringing warmth to any area of your home.
STEP FOUR
Apply a piece of duct tape to the hole at the bottom of each flowerpot over the drain hole. This will prevent any pebbles or sand from leaking through.
Fill each painted and doodled clay flowerpot with small rocks or decorative glass pebbles. Then fill with sand. Secure the pebbles in a plastic zipper bag.
Then “plant” the Recycled Cardboard Cactus in the sand at the top of each terra cotta clay pot. Wiggle the cactus shape in te top layer of sand until embedded securely.
STEP FIVE
Trace flower patterns onto brightly colored scraps of felt, and then cut them out with scissors. Kunin Classic Felt is perfect for making flowers, as it is easy to cut and does not fray.
Attach the layers of felt flowers together to create dimension, and then secure them to the top of the cactus with a glue gun and glue sticks. Look at photos of real cactus for inspiration.
Download the Recycled Cardboard Cactus Patterns HERE
Upcycled Cardboard Cactus
With just a few simple supplies from Dollar Tree and a box, create a Trio of Recycled Cardboard Cactus. The free printable patterns make this a quick and easy project to complete in just about 30 minutes.
Using traditional materials and supplies from Dollar Tree in unique and unconventional ways to create awesome home décor.
More Recycled Craft Projects
I am still a fan of pen and paper when it comes to taking notes, making lists, and sketching out my crafty ideas. So, I usually have at least two mini notebooks in my purse at all times. I am also very picky when it comes to choosing the perfect notebook, and for those of you who are like me, I've got a solution for you! Recycled Cereal Box Notebooks created with some of my favorite decorative papers and fun buttons to create the perfect mini sketchbook to suit my style.
I love crafting straight out of the recycle bin. This Recycled Rainbow Herb Garden takes repurposing vegetable and soup tin cans to the next level to create a bright, colorful (and yummy) addition to your outdoor décor just in time for Spring! This rainbow-inspired project is effortless with DecoArt® Patio Paint Outdoor™ created for use on exterior craft projects.
Recycling and upcycling common items that people would normally throw in the trash has been my jam since I was a kid. Featuring FUN recycled craft projects from some of the most talented designers we know. I have gathered up 51+ of the Best Recycled Crafts from this week (and beyond) to share with you today, all in one place.
Sharing is Caring! If you LOVE it, Please PIN it!
Are you too busy to make these Recycled Cardboard Cactus right now? Pin it for later! I'd love for you to pin this project to your favorite craft board on Pinterest and then it’ll be waiting for you when you’re ready.
I'd love to hear what you think about this project, or if you want to know more about recycled crafts. If you've made your own cactus projects, I would love to see your creations! Share them on Instagram, and Facebook, or leave a comment/photo on the project pin on Pinterest! #CreativelyBeth
Thanks for stopping by!
1 thought on “Recycled Cardboard Cactus”