What you’ll need:
- 1 rectangular cardboard box (just large enough for the child to stand in)
- 4 pieces red poster board
- 1 can spray adhesive (available at crafts or hardware stores)
- 3 yards 1-inch-wide ribbon
- White or yellow tape, or heavy paper
- 1 24-inch-square, 2-inch-thick piece white foam (available at crafts stores)
- 2 16-ounce bottles tempera paint; one brown, one yellow
- Hot-glue gun and sticks
What to do:
1. Cut the top and bottom panels off a rectangular cardboard box, then cut a curve in the style of a french-fry box into the top edge of each long side. Cut pieces of red poster board to the size of the box sides and attach with spray adhesive.
2. To make shoulder straps, cut two 2-inch horizontal slits, 6 inches apart, near the top of the two curved sides of the box. Thread ribbon through the slits, crossing in the back for extra stability. Make a tight knot in the back.
3. Decorate the outside of the box to resemble a french-fry box, using colored tape or letters cut from heavy paper.
4. To make fries, cut the foam into 12 strips. Mix a few drops of brown tempera paint into a base of yellow tempera paint to create a golden fry color. Paint the foam pieces and air-dry for 1 hour.
5. Hot-glue the bottom of a fry to the inside of the box, about 4 inches down from the top, leaving room on the sides for the child’s arms. Press for one minute to seal. Cut some of the fries shorter and stagger the heights as you glue in the rest.
Photograph by Hallie Burton