How to Make Cardboard Armour

Last Updated: June 15, 2022

Are you trying to make some armour for cosplay with your friends? This article will show you how to make a suit of knight's armour using cardboard boxes. Read on to discover how to make a chest piece, shield, helmet, and more!

1

Make the chestplate.

Download Article

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/23\/Make-Cardboard-Armour-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-Cardboard-Armour-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/23\/Make-Cardboard-Armour-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid198616-v4-728px-Make-Cardboard-Armour-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":485,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

It should be big enough to place around your torso, over your chest and stomach.

2

Attach string to your chestplate.

Download Article

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/9b\/Make-Cardboard-Armour-Step-2-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-Cardboard-Armour-Step-2-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/9b\/Make-Cardboard-Armour-Step-2-Version-2.jpg\/aid198616-v4-728px-Make-Cardboard-Armour-Step-2-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":485,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

You can use staples or quick-drying glue so that they can be worn over your shoulders, holding the box in the right place (over your chest and stomach). Make sure to measure them and cut them to the right length. Alternatively, you can use string for this step, as it will not be visible in the finished product. You now have a breast plate .

3

Collect two small boxes to use for shoulder pieces.

Download Article

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/76\/Make-Cardboard-Armour-Step-3-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-Cardboard-Armour-Step-3-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/76\/Make-Cardboard-Armour-Step-3-Version-2.jpg\/aid198616-v4-728px-Make-Cardboard-Armour-Step-3-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":485,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

Cut them out so there are two sides open on each one - so they can slip easily on to the shoulders, and not restrict arm movement too much. Also, they must be on firm enough to prevent them falling off at every opportunity. These boxes will form the spaulders —or shoulder plates .

4

Build the greaves.

Download Article

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/60\/Make-Cardboard-Armour-Step-4-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-Cardboard-Armour-Step-4-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/60\/Make-Cardboard-Armour-Step-4-Version-2.jpg\/aid198616-v4-728px-Make-Cardboard-Armour-Step-4-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":485,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

The boxes you use for these will presumably need to be long and thin. They should be flexible at your leg joint—so you should create some sort of hinge there, possibly by cutting three sides and leaving the last.

5

Make a helmet.

Download Article

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/dd\/Make-Cardboard-Armour-Step-5-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-Cardboard-Armour-Step-5-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/dd\/Make-Cardboard-Armour-Step-5-Version-2.jpg\/aid198616-v4-728px-Make-Cardboard-Armour-Step-5-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":485,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

Cut out an oval shape for you to place your head through, and also the bottom end of the box, for you to put your neck through.

6

Cut out your shield.

Download Article

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/ef\/Make-Cardboard-Armour-Step-6-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-Cardboard-Armour-Step-6-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/ef\/Make-Cardboard-Armour-Step-6-Version-2.jpg\/aid198616-v4-728px-Make-Cardboard-Armour-Step-6-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":485,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

You need to cut some thick cardboard into the shape of your shield. This can be square, kite-shaped, rectangular or any other shape you can think of.

7

Make the sword.

Download Article

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/1c\/Make-Cardboard-Armour-Step-7-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-Cardboard-Armour-Step-7-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/1c\/Make-Cardboard-Armour-Step-7-Version-2.jpg\/aid198616-v4-728px-Make-Cardboard-Armour-Step-7-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":485,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

This will be rather floppy for use on its own, so you may want to attach a wooden stick to it.

8

Paint your armour.

Download Article

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/71\/Make-Cardboard-Armour-Step-8-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-Cardboard-Armour-Step-8-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/71\/Make-Cardboard-Armour-Step-8-Version-2.jpg\/aid198616-v4-728px-Make-Cardboard-Armour-Step-8-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":485,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

Try painting some jewels, or a coat of arms, on your armour.

9

Enjoy your armour.

Download Article

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/eb\/Make-Cardboard-Armour-Step-9.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-Cardboard-Armour-Step-9.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/eb\/Make-Cardboard-Armour-Step-9.jpg\/aid198616-v4-728px-Make-Cardboard-Armour-Step-9.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":485,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Tips

Add personal touches to your armour, such as creating your own coat of arms.

Thanks
Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0
This will probably not win any costume contests, but it will be fun to make and play in.

Thanks
Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Warnings

This armour is only for a costume or playing, and will not protect you from real sticks, arrows, swords, spears, javelins, nor from the Undead.

Thanks
Helpful 55 Not Helpful 12
This type of armour does not work well in rain.

Thanks
Helpful 45 Not Helpful 11
This will not be very flexible, and not so easy to move around in.

Thanks
Helpful 40 Not Helpful 13

Things You'll Need

Cardboard
Cardboard boxes
Scissors
Silver paint
White Tape

Log in

How to Make Cardboard Armour

Steps

Make the chestplate.

Attach string to your chestplate.

Collect two small boxes to use for shoulder pieces.

Build the greaves.

Make a helmet.

Cut out your shield.

Make the sword.

Paint your armour.

Enjoy your armour.

Expert Q&A

Tips

Warnings

Things You'll Need

You Might Also Like

About This Article

Did this article help you?

About This Article

Quizzes

You Might Also Like

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Featured Articles

Featured Articles

Watch Articles

Trending Articles

Explore Categories