Top Gun Maverick is definitely the movie of the year, and I thought it'd be the perfect inspiration for my son's Halloween costume. Can't you just hear the theme song in your head when you look at this cardboard box plane next to the cutest little pilot? Last year my son was an Amazon Delivery person with a cardboard box car, so I know how versatile a box can be with a little spray paint.
This is the Top Gun toddler costume we bought for my son, along with a little pair of aviator sunglasses he refused to wear haha. I can't wait for him to fly around on Halloween collecting candy!
I'm sharing the directions to make this cardboard box plane, but be as creative as you want! You could add a logo or name to the side, or make it in your favorite airline's colors.
Supplies
- box
- duct tape
- spray paint (I used Rust-Oleum 2x in Metallic Aluminum)
- rotary cutter, scissors or exacto knife
- crepe/streamer paper (in orange, yellow, red and white)
- paper cup
Directions
- Using duct tape, secure your box. Then spray paint it and allow to dry. You may need to do multiple coats.
- Cut off the top of the box and set aside. You cut this off so that the child can sit in it and pretend to fly the plane. If needed, cut down the remaining sides a bit so the kid can sit comfortably/see over the edge of the box.
- Using the top you cut off, draw a wing shape. You'll want to make sure you can fit two to the piece of cardboard, or be ready to cut up another box.
- Cut slits into the side of the box so that you can fit the wings on either side.
- Using extra pieces of cardboard, cut out a propeller shape and a circle shape.
- Glue the propeller pieces onto a paper cup, and the circle piece of cardboard on top of it. If you haven't yet, paint the cup to match the cardboard.
- I also painted the inside of the cardboard box a darker metallic color. It would be fun to paint a dashboard or little seats too!
- To make the 'jet flames,' cut several strips of streamers and floral wire. Hot glue or tape the floral wire to the pieces of streamers, this will give them a bit of shape and allow them to flutter from the back of the plane.
- Using a push pin or small knife, poke holes in the back of the cardboard box. Run the floral wire through the box and loop around the top, or tape down the wire to secure. Repeat until you have your desired look/amount of flames.
Make sure to have your top gun pilot inspect the plane before taking off! This costume was so much fun to work on, and I love that my toddler can keep playing with his plane long after the holiday.
Looking for More Halloween Inspiration?
Toddler Top Gun Cardboard Box
Equipment
- 1 box cutter
- 1 Pair of scissors
- 1 hot glue gun or tape, craft glue
Materials
- 1 can silver or grey spray paint
- 1 cardboard box
- 4 rolls streamer/crepe paper in red, orange, yellow and white
- 1 roll floral wire
- 1 roll duct tape
Instructions
- Using duct tape, secure your box.
- Then spray paint it and allow to dry. You may need to do multiple coats.
- Cut off the top of the box and set aside. You cut this off so that the child can sit in it and pretend to fly the plane. If needed, cut down the remaining sides a bit so the kid can sit comfortably/see over the edge of the box.
- Using the top you cut off, draw a wing shape. You'll want to make sure you can fit two to the piece of cardboard, or be ready to cut up another box.
- Cut slits into the side of the box so that you can fit the wings on either side and insert the wings into the box of the plane.
- Using extra pieces of cardboard, cut out a propeller shape and a circle shape. Glue the propeller pieces onto a paper cup, and the circle piece of cardboard on top of it. If you haven't yet, paint the cup to match the cardboard.
- To make the 'jet flames,' cut several strips of streamers and floral wire. Hot glue or tape the floral wire to the pieces of streamers, this will give them a bit of shape and allow them to flutter from the back of the plane.
- Using a push pin or small knife, poke holes in the back of the cardboard box. Run the floral wire through the box and loop around the top, or tape down the wire to secure. Repeat until you have your desired look/amount of flames.
- Make sure to have your top gun pilot inspect the plane before taking off!
Claire says
He's having so much fun playing with the cardboard box plane!