Here's how to make a miniature doll cradle from a recycled cardboard salt container. Because the container is round, you can even rock the cradle for your little doll baby!
What You Will Need:
one empty, round, cardboard salt container box
serrated knife
scrap of colored felt for a pillow
scrap of colored felt for a blanket
craft glue
small doll to fit in the cradle
small amount of pregathered lace
optional: one spring-type clothes peg
Salt Box Cradle Craft Instructions:
1. Have an adult cut the container for you with a serrated knife, as shown in the photo at right.
2. Next, paint your container inside and out and let it dry. You can add more decorations if you like; although you can't see it in our picture, we stamped on a lady bug with chunky stamps.
3. Glue a length of lace around the cut areas of the salt box.
4. Take a piece of felt that is large enough for you to fold it in half and stuff with two or three cotton balls. Glue the three ends together to make a pillow for your cradle.
5. Cut another rectangular piece of felt to make a blanket that is big enough to fit around the baby and tuck in at the sides.
6. Your baby cradle is now complete. If you wish, you can take the spring out of a clothes peg and paint it to match the cradle. Glue the peg pieces to the bottom of the salt box, with one piece facing one way and the other facing the opposite way. This will make a stand for your cradle, but you won't be able to rock it back and forth. Now put your baby to sleep in her brand new salt box cradle and sing her a lullabye!
Is really a good idea!! not only the kids can play with it and also get them to understand about recycled. I use this idea to teach my Sunday school kid and the wonderful part is they can come up with others idea. thank you very much!!
shipra – India
Feb 17, 2009 - 02:36
Its great,lovely cradle iam 31 years old and I want to make one for my self.
Jenn – inkerman, Pa.
Oct 13, 2008 - 12:55
A wonderful recycled and easy project - keep them coming- Thanks!
Jenny – oklahoma city, ok
Aug 13, 2008 - 02:34
My grandma told me about saltbox babies when my 3 daughters were very young. I made one for each of them. They loved them! Now my oldest daughter is 30 and I'm making saltbox babies to put in her booth at the craft fair. I'm having so much fun! My only problem is that it's difficult to find baby dolls small enough to fit. Could anyone give me any ideas? The little kewpie dolls from Hobby Lobby will work but I like to use a variety. Thanks for your help.
Reply to Jenny
Mary – Virginia
Sep 22, 2008 - 00:37
Use round top clothes pins. You can color the face any color, use anything for hair-doll hair, yarn, embroidery floss, craft moss. Use anything for a blanket- material scraps, felt, etc. just wrap a small piece of material around doll, and glue. No need for arms and legs.
Reply to Jenny
debra – cincinnati,oh
Mar 25, 2009 - 14:23
try dollar tree,or other dollar stores around your area possibly.
Pauline – Grants Pass Oregon
Jul 25, 2008 - 18:58
So happy to find this pattern. I used oatmeal containers when my daughters were small. Now I will make them for my grand and greatgrand daughters
Aggie Bollhorn – Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Jun 27, 2008 - 13:03
We lived in Texas for five years and this was one project I made for my saughter back then. She is now 34. Unfortunately we don't have those round salt containers here so I can't make any for my grandaughters. It is an excellent project.
keiasha – ohio,usa
May 06, 2008 - 20:59
oh my god all i can say is so cute!^_^
Aurelia Lugo – Long Isand NY
Mar 19, 2008 - 08:55
This is one of your best recycling projects. Thanks a bunch my grandaughters loved this.
1. Have an adult cut the container for you with a serrated knife, as shown in the photo at right.
