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Home » Holidays

Published: Sep 14, 2022 · Modified: Oct 4, 2024 by Claire

Cardboard Box Plane DIY- Toddler Top Gun Halloween Costume

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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!

toddler in pilot costume standing by cardboard box plane.

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
cardboard box plane.

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.
hand holding silver spray paint in front of a cardboard box.
card board box with top cut off painted silver.
  • 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.
cardboard box with slit cut so and another cardboard piece sticking out of it as a wing of the plane.
cardboard box pieces cut into circles and propellers.
  • 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!
making a propeller for a cardboard box plane by glueing pieces onto paper cup.
  • 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.
floral wire held in front of red, yellow and orange streamer pieces.
orange streamer piece with floral wire taped to it.
Overhead view of cardboard box plane.

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.

Toddler in a Top Gun pilot's costume standing by a cardboard box plane.
toddler standing by cardboard box plane in Top Gun Halloween costume.

Looking for More Halloween Inspiration?

  • The Cutest Dog Cheerleader Costume
  • Cardboard Box Car- Delivery Van Costume
toddler in pilot's costume standing by cardboard box plane.
Print
5 from 1 vote

Toddler Top Gun Cardboard Box

This cardboard box plane is the perfect accessory for your toddler's Top Gun Halloween costume!
Prep Time15 minutes mins
Active Time2 hours hrs
Total Time2 hours hrs 15 minutes mins
Yield: 1 plane
Cost: $10

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!
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Claire says

    September 18, 2022 at 8:32 pm

    5 stars
    He's having so much fun playing with the cardboard box plane!

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toddler in Top Gun costume standing by cardboard box plane.