These DIY Baby Blocks are made from items you might have in your house right now! Put it together from moving boxes and fill it with balloons.
If you’re making these baby blocks for a baby shower and need more ideas, check out all our Baby Shower Ideas.
My cousin threw an outdoor baby shower recently and she made these DIY Baby Blocks as decorations.
Can we just stop and talk about that for a minute?
It’s so great that outdoor gatherings — and honestly, just gatherings in general — are going on right now. Last year, not even a full year ago, I helped plan a virtual baby shower. And even though that was great and we all had a lot of fun, it’s even better to know the world is opening.
And as it opens, you need more decorations than just a cool Zoom background.
DIY Baby Blocks For A Baby Shower Tutorial
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My cousin used Home Depot medium size moving boxes to make these baby shower boxes, which are 21 in. L x 15 in. W x 16 in. D, so we’ll be using those numbers in the post from now on.
If you choose different sized moving boxes, you’ll have to adjust your sizing accordingly, but the process of the post will be the same.
The moving boxes won’t be perfect cubes, so you’ll have to cut them to size.
Start by cutting one edge of the moving box and lay it flat.
You’ll be looking at four “sides” going across from left to right. There are two alternating 21-inch and two 15-inch sides.
Start by looking at one of the 15-inch sides. At the edge, where it meets the 21-inch side, measure out 15 inches. Mark a line there.
Start at the second 15-inch side and do the same.
The box is three “sections” from top to bottom.
For the 15-inch sides, make a mark to cut off the top and bottom sections. You’ll leave the top and bottom on the 21-inch sides.
Measure a rectangle, with a 1-inch width, in the middle “sections” on each side.
Now that you have your marks drawn, use the box cutter to cut your box up and cut the windows out.
You’ll end up with two separate pieces.
Tape the sides of your boxes together until your form the cube. Then, tape the bottom of each box.
Spray paint the boxes white.
Since the boxes are made of cardboard, you want to be careful not to over saturate the boxes with paint or they will sag. That’s why spray paint is a good option.
Paint a thin layer of spray paint, then let it dry completely before spraying another layer of spray paint.
You want to completely cover the inside and outside of the box with spray paint.
When the spray paint has dried, tape a piece of cellophane to the inside of the box at each window.
Blow up your balloons, put them into block, and tape up the top the block.
Trace the letter stencils on to poster board. Use either an X-Acto knife or the box cutter to cut them from the foam board.
How To Make Baby Blocks Out Of Cardboard Boxes Tips:
My cousin was learning as she made this. So she has a couple tips.
The first was about taping the cube together. She said, “To be honest, this was more annoying to do that I thought it would be. Next time, I will take more time to complete these and glue the box together instead of taping them.”
The second tip was about painting the cube. She said, “Another to be honest moment: Next time I will paint them with acrylic paint with a paint roller doing light multiple layers to not over saturate the cardboard.”
The last tip is about the letters. My cousin wrote “BABY” (and used helium balloons to write “BOY” out next to the blocks). If you keep these generic, you can reuse them for future baby showers. But, if you want to make them more personalized, you can write out the baby’s name (if you know it).
DIY Baby Blocks: Frequently Asked Questions
Can you use any size box for this?
My cousin used medium-size moving boxes when she made this, but you can use any sized boxes that you want.
If you do use a different sized box than what she used, you’ll just have to adjust your measurements accordingly.
It doesn’t matter what size box you start with as long as you make sure to cut all four sides to the same size. If you don’t, the sides won’t match up when you’re trying to tape them together and you’ll end up with a gap.
Be sure to keep the size of your box in mind when you’re ordering your letter stencils. If your box is too small for your letters, you won’t be able to read them from afar. And honestly, if your box is too small, you won’t be able to notice it from afar either.
Can you use any balloons to fill the balloon baby blocks?
Any generic balloons are fine. Larger balloons will take up more space inside in DIY baby blocks, so you’ll need less of them.
I would use regular, store-bought balloons that you fill by blowing into them. I wouldn’t suggest using helium balloons because I don’t really know how well they would do in the box, especially if it’s hot wherever you put the DIY baby blocks.
Can you fill these DIY Baby Blocks with something other than balloons?
If, for whatever reason, you can’t find balloons (or maybe you’re like me and you can’t blow up balloons), you have options. You can use ball pit balls instead. Click that link to order them in bulk and you’re good to go.
Purchase Baby Shower Boxes:
If you fell in love with these baby blocks, but you just don’t have the time, the tools, or the desire to make them yourself, that’s fine. We get it.
Those are 12 x 12 x 12 boxes, which have the word BABY spelled out on them. They don’t come with the latex balloons, though, so you’ll have to add those to your cart as well.
Want more baby shower ideas?
If you’re planning a baby shower, we have a few more ideas that will help you plan a great baby shower.
These DIY Baby Blocks are made from items you might have in your house right now! Put it together from moving boxes and fill it with balloons.
Active Time1 hour
Additional Time30 minutes
Total Time1 hour30 minutes
DifficultyMedium
Materials
4 medium-size moving boxes
Packing tape
Spray paint
Clear cellophane
Balloons
Letter stencils
Poster board
Tools
Box cutter
Tape measure
Marker
Pencil
X-Acto knife
Instructions
Start by cutting one edge of the moving box and lay it flat.
Start by looking at one of the 15-inch sides. At the edge, where it meets the 21-inch side, measure out 15 inches. Mark a line there. Start at the second 15-inch side and do the same. The box is three “sections” from top to bottom. For the 15-inch sides, make a mark to cut off the top and bottom sections. You’ll leave the top and bottom on the 21-inch sides. Measure a rectangle, with a 1-inch width, in the middle “sections” on each side.
Now that you have your marks drawn, use the box cutter to cut your box up and cut the windows out.
Tape the sides of your boxes together until your form the cube. Then, tape the bottom of each box.
Spray paint the boxes white.
When the spray paint has dried, tape a piece of cellophane to the inside of the box at each window.
Blow up your balloons, put them into block, and tape up the top the block.
Trace the letter stencils on to poster board. Use either an X-Acto knife or the box cutter to cut them from the foam board.
Tape the letters to the sides of the box.
Did you make this project?
Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram
Would you make these DIY Baby Blocks? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Wonderful project, and could be great for birthdays for little ones as well, simply save and swap out the letters! thanks for sharing.
Donna @ Modern on Monticello
Sunday 13th of June 2021
This is such a fun project. It can even be made for a kid's birthday party.
Pam
Sunday 13th of June 2021
Those are absolutely adorable. I just LOVE this! Great job!
Marie - Interior Frugalista
Thursday 10th of June 2021
This is such an awesome idea! We have my DILs baby shower this month and I'd love to make these. Thanks for the idea and great instructions!
Allyson
Wednesday 9th of June 2021
Omg, these boxes are just the cutest idea ever!!
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creativejewishmom/sara
Thursday 17th of June 2021
Wonderful project, and could be great for birthdays for little ones as well, simply save and swap out the letters! thanks for sharing.
Donna @ Modern on Monticello
Sunday 13th of June 2021
This is such a fun project. It can even be made for a kid's birthday party.
Pam
Sunday 13th of June 2021
Those are absolutely adorable. I just LOVE this! Great job!
Marie - Interior Frugalista
Thursday 10th of June 2021
This is such an awesome idea! We have my DILs baby shower this month and I'd love to make these. Thanks for the idea and great instructions!
Allyson
Wednesday 9th of June 2021
Omg, these boxes are just the cutest idea ever!!