Gift & Greeting Cubes

crayola supplies

Fine Line Markers
Mini-Stampers Markers
No-Run School Glue
Blunt-Tip Scissors

household supplies

ruler
clear adhesive tape
recycled file folders

Why

Round up these easy-to-make, versatile 3-D cubes. Fill each side with MiniStamper shapes. Play games, give unique holiday cards, or use them for party favors.

Steps

1. Design your cube. To create a pattern for a 3-D cube, use Crayola® Scissors to cut a square at least 2 inches (5 cm) in size from a recycled file folder.
2. Trace the pattern on paper or a file folder four times in a row (with the squares touching) with Crayola Classic Fine Line Markers.
3. On the second square in the row, trace another square above and one square below that square.
4. Draw tabs on the three outer sides of these last two squares. Add one tab at the end of your row of four squares. Cut out your cube pattern with all the tabs.
5. Decorate! Fold the cube along your lines. Unfold it. Decorate the outside of the cube with Crayola MiniStamper designs. Stamp a different number of shapes on each side to make a counting cube for playing games or practicing math facts.
6. Or be creative! For an 8th birthday card, for example, you could stamp eight different shapes in each square. Add designs, messages, or other decorations if you like.
7. Fill the cube. Put Halloween, birthday, or Valentine treats inside. You could even use these cubes as gift boxes!
8. Use Crayola School Glue and clear tape to put the cube together using the tabs you created.

When & Where

"The kids made several cubes to practice counting and adding. What a great way to learn math."
- Gwen J., home-school parent of ages 4 and 7.

"We use these cubes for Valentine’s Day favors. We put treats inside each one."
- Carlos D., dad of age 6.

Interesting Info

The use of dice for playing games is ancient and cross-cultural. Dice were derived from the game of knucklebones, where the different sides of the bone were given different values.

Safety Guidelines

Scissors—ATTENTION: The cutting edges of scissors are sharp and care should be taken whenever cutting or handling. Blunt-tip scissors should be used only by children 4 years and older. Pointed-tip scissors should be used only by children 6 years and older.