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A DIY paper TV is a handmade prop that shows changing drawings—not an electronic television. For the quickest version, decorate a cardstock frame and slide a drawn paper strip through two guide slits. If you want a larger build, make a folded cardboard TV with a storyboard scroll, or turn a large box into a pretend-play screen for puppets and toys.
Choose the right paper TV design
These projects look similar when finished, but use different screen mechanisms. Pick one before gathering materials.
| Design | Screen mechanism | Materials and effort |
|---|---|---|
| Flat sliding-strip TV | A hand-drawn strip slides behind a cut-out frame, guided through two slits. | Cardstock, a printable template, coloring tools, scissors, glue, and a printer if using the template. The simplest option; younger makers may need help cutting the slits. In The Playroom |
| Folded box TV with scroll | A storyboard is attached to two tubes and wound from one to the other behind a window. | Large card, two cardboard tubes, a storyboard, glue, tape, and cutting and scoring tools. The National Museum of Australia calls it challenging and estimates 1–2 hours. National Museum of Australia |
| Open pretend-play box TV | No moving strip is needed: children act as the performers or use puppets, dolls, and toys. | A large cardboard box, paint, and optional lids for knobs. An adult should cut the screen opening. PBS / WKNO |
For a moving picture, choose either of the first two designs. The flat frame is a good small craft; the folded box gives the storyboard room to scroll. Choose the open-box version when the goal is imaginative play rather than changing illustrated scenes.
Make the flat sliding-strip paper TV
Gather materials
- Cardstock or a printed paper TV template mounted on cardstock
- A narrow strip of paper for the changing scenes
- Markers, colored pencils, or crayons
- Scissors and glue
- A printer if you are using the printable template
Cardstock makes a firmer frame than ordinary printer paper. If you do not use a template, draw a TV outline with a large central screen area and enough margin around it to hold the frame.
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#1 Best Overall
16 Pack Arts and Crafts for Kids Toddler DIY Animal Paper Plate Art Gifts
- ✨【Rich Art and Craft Activities Set】Our arts & crafts kits comes with 16 undone kids art projects, kids can make their own hand paper plates. Package contains 1 exquisite gift box,16 cute animal pattern cards, 16 colored paper trays, two double-sided foam stickers. Rich craft accessories and it will add a lot of fun to children's creations
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Cut, decorate, and thread the picture strip
- Print the template, if using one, and glue it to cardstock. Let the glue dry before cutting.
- Cut out the TV shape and the screen opening. Make the two guide slits shown on the template; the strip will pass through them behind the opening. Ask an adult to help with the screen or slits if cutting is difficult.
- Color the frame and add optional details such as knobs, speakers, or aerials.
- Draw a sequence of scenes on the paper strip. Leave enough blank margin at the edges for it to travel through the guides.
- Feed the strip through one guide slit, across the back of the screen, and out through the other. Slide it by hand to move from scene to scene.
The strip is the moving image: make the drawings in a clear sequence so the viewer can follow a short story as the strip advances.
Build a folded cardboard TV with a scrolling storyboard
Materials and dimensions
The National Museum of Australia’s template is printed across six A4 sheets. Its materials list includes a large piece of card about 60 × 90 cm, glue, clear or double-sided tape, a pen for scoring folds, a cutting mat, a metal ruler, and a utility knife or box cutter. The storyboard uses an A3 template and two cardboard tubes at least 33 cm long. Those dimensions apply to this museum design; they are not requirements for every paper TV.
Rank #2
FUNNYB&G 100 Pcs Rainbow Scratch Paper Art for Kids Arts and Crafts Kit
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Because this build involves a utility knife, openings in heavy card, and scored folds, an adult should handle or closely supervise those steps. The museum rates the activity as challenging and estimates 1–2 hours.
Assemble the frame and scroll
- Print and arrange the TV template sheets, then align them on the large card as directed by the template.
- Cut out the body and screen openings with an adult using a cutting mat and ruler. Check that the tubes fit inside the planned body before closing it.
- Score the fold lines, decorate the card while it is flat, then fold and tape the body into its box shape.
- Draw a sequence of scenes on the A3 storyboard strip. Attach one end to each tube, keeping the paper taut between them.
- Insert the tubes into the TV body and close the back as directed by the template. Turn one tube to move the storyboard across the screen; turn the other to take up the strip.
For a story episode, draw events in order and leave clear gaps between scenes. The museum describes the project as a way to make an episode of Play School using a box TV and a scroll drawing of favorite toys or a story.
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Sundaymot Arts and Crafts Supplies for Kids, 2000+Pcs DIY Craft Kits
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Make a large pretend-play TV from a box
This version is a stage rather than a scrolling picture craft. Use a large cardboard box, have an adult cut a screen opening, and let children decorate it with paint. Bottle lids can serve as pretend knobs. Children can stand behind the opening and act as television presenters, or put on a show with puppets, small toys, or dolls. Townsville City Council’s how-to PDF also offers box-decoration ideas.
Unlike the flat slider and the museum scroll, this box does not require a paper picture mechanism. It works best when the screen opening is large enough for the intended performers or toys, with the box stable during play.
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Arts and Crafts for Toddlers & Kids Ages 3-5 – Paper Cup Craft Kit, 8 Animal Projects – Fun Preschool Activity for Girls & Boys
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Safety and finishing touches
- Keep knives and box cutters with an adult. An adult should also cut a large screen opening in a box and help younger children with small guide slits.
- Reuse a clean household box or cardboard tubes where suitable. Decorations such as knobs, speakers, aerials, paint, and lids are optional.
- Choose cardstock for the flat frame if you want it to hold its shape. The larger scroll build needs a storyboard wide enough for its two rollers; the museum template specifies tubes at least 33 cm long.
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