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In today’s post: Learn how to make a cool explosion box full of photos and notes for a fun DIY gift. Use our printable template and cutting chart to make it easy.
A few years ago my husband and I celebrated our twentieth anniversary with a trip to Costa Rica. Because of the trip we decided not to buy each other gifts, but I still wanted to give him something, so I made him an explosion box full of photos and notes. A DIY explosion box is a super fun handmade gift idea. When it’s folded up it looks like a normal gift box:
But when you take off the lid the layers “explode” to reveal photos, notes, and other decorations inside. I’ve seen lots of explosion boxes online, but had never made one of my own before. It was really fun to put together using cardstock and other scrapbook supplies. This unique gift is perfect for birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, or a wedding or Christmas gift. It’s a great way to preserve and share your favorite memories.
An explosion gift box looks complicated, but it’s actually not that hard to construct. I’ve created a printable cutting and scoring guide for you that will tell you how big to make each layer. The cutting guide also comes with a template to make the hearts in the corners of the base layer. Additionally, I have a printable template for the lid to minimize the amount of measuring you need to do. Finally, I’ve made a step-by-step instructional video so you can see exactly how to put it all together.
Photos don’t really do an explosion box justice, so if you’d like to see my box in action, you can start by watching this quick video:
To create an explosion gift box, you’ll need the following basic supplies, all of which can be found at your local craft store or big box store:
Before you begin, you’ll want to print the following:
Explosion Box Lid Template (print directly onto the back of your lid cardstock)
Be sure to print each of these templates at 100% or full size. There’s a test square on each one that should measure exactly 1 inch.
The Cutting Guide gives dimensions for up to 7 layers for your box. I made my box with 3 layers, using the dimensions highlighted in yellow on the guide. But you can include as many additional layers as you’d like in your box! A seven layer box would allow you to include LOTS of photos, notes and other memorabilia.
Please note that the Cutting Guide shows two numbers for each layer: the first number tells you how big the sheet of cardstock should be (square). The second number tells you how far from each edge you will measure in and score. It also includes cutting dimensions for the lid in case you don’t want to use the printable template.
Below you’ll find a printable how-to card that contains all the instructions you need for making your own photo explode box. At the bottom of the card is an eight minute instructional video that demonstrates every step!
Learn how to make a cool explosion box full of photos and notes for a fun DIY gift. Use our printable template and cutting chart to make it easy.
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Print the cutting decide and decide how many layers you would like to make your box. My box has three layers and uses the dimensions that are highlighted in light yellow. Cut your solid card stock to the dimensions listed on the cutting guide.
Find the scoring measurement for the largest piece of cardstock. Measure in from one edge of the cardstock and score (for example, 4 inches in on a 12 inch piece of card stock). Rotate the paper 90 degrees and repeat. Repeat twice more until the card stock has been scored 4 times. This will divide the sheet of paper into 9 equal size boxes. Repeat with the other layers of cardstock.
Fold in the card stock along all scored lines. Again, you should see 9 equal size boxes on each sheet of card stock.
On the largest piece of card stock, make a diagonal fold through each of the corner boxes. The diagonal fold should fold "down" while the other folds fold "up". Watch the video for a good explanation of this step.
One the other pieces of card stock, cut away the corner boxes. Layer the largest piece of cardstock on the bottom, then center the next piece over it and adhere on the center box only. Repeat with any other layers.
Print the lid template on the back of the printed card stock (trim it to fit in your printer if needed). Cut along the solid lines, then score and fold along the dashed lines. At each corner, cut up to where the dotted lines meet from one side only. You are not removing the corners; you are making a flap so you can glue the lid together.
Fold over the flat at each corner and add adhesive, then press to adhere the flap to the side next to it, creating a box lid.
Decorate the box as desired, adding pictures, notes, embellishments, etc. When finished, gather up the sides of the box, folding the hearts in toward the center, and place the lid on top.
If you don’t have a paper trimmer with a scoring blade, you’ll need another way to cut and score your cardstock. You may use a ruler and an exacto knife to cut the card stock, or even scissors if you cut carefully. For scoring, you can use a ruler and the back of a butter knife, or a different type of scoring tool.
Be sure to upload a photo & tag me at @ItsAlwaysAutumnBlog. I love seeing what you made!
Once you have the box put together, this is what it will look like:
Decorating it is the really fun part! With an outside layer and two inner layers there are lots of areas to decorate. I chose to keep my box fairly simple, just adding photos, notes, and a couple of premade notecards from scrapbook section of the craft store. Inside of the box you can decorate both sides of the flaps so the recipient will find notes and photos everywhere they look.
For my photos, I cut them 1/4 inch smaller than the “score” measurement for each layer. That means the photos on the bottom layer are 3.75 inches square, the ones on the middle layer are 3.25 inches square, and the ones on the top layer are 2.75 inches square.
I added a couple of “interactive” elements in my box as well. I folded a strip of cardstock accordion style. It can be opened up to reveal small photos of each of our kids.
I also cut another strip of printed cardstock and folded it around some old photos of me and my husband that I printed out at wallet size. I tied it with twine and glued the whole thing onto the base layer of the box.
You can add as many (or as few) interactive elements as you’d like. You can find lots of videos and tutorials online that will give you ideas. This tutorial shows lots of different boxes, pockets, and other interactive elements along with cutting and folding dimensions. This video doesn’t include a tutorial, but gives LOTS of fun ideas.
For more handmade gift ideas, visit these posts:
Hello there! I’m a busy mom of five who loves to make things. Crafts, recipes, sewing, holiday projects: I’ve tried them all, and you can too! I love EASY projects anyone can make.
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Hi Marge – I’m not sure on the weight. I purchased it by the sheet at Hobby Lobby. It was fairly sturdy cardstock.
Thanks for your nice blogYour instructions seem pretty thorough and I’m excited to try this out. The Fiskars paper trimmer you link to does not come with a scoring blade. I bought it online only to discover this when I received the item. I’ll have to return it and get something that will work. You may want to mention this in your notes:)
I just absolutely love, love, love your explosion box. I mane one to explode with motivational thoughts. Before shipping, I put in some Flutter Flyers butterflies. It was wonderful. Thank you so much for this craft. I have made another one with the theme of building a relationship with Christ. It turned out really well.
