How to upcycle Amazon Prime boxes into a cute and easy cell phone costume this Halloween. This post was sponsored by Amazon Prime; all opinions are my own.
DIY Cell Phone Halloween “Boxtume” Made from Amazon Prime Boxes
Between deliveries and shipments, extra cardboard piles up quickly. Instead of recycling every box right away, try turning one into a fun and affordable Halloween costume. A boxtume — a costume made from a box — is an easy, eco-friendly project that looks great and costs almost nothing.
All you need is a sturdy Amazon Prime box and a few basic craft supplies you likely have at home. This project is budget-friendly, low-waste, and perfect for a memorable Halloween outfit. Our family brainstormed several boxtume ideas before voting on a cell phone design. Other simple concepts to try include robots, toy building blocks, skyscrapers, or video game characters.
Materials and Tools
Gather these supplies:
- Large cardboard box that fits your child
- Black, metallic, or colored spray paint or craft paint
- Black poster board for the screen
- Cardstock or construction paper in assorted colors for app icons
- Scissors
- Glue or double-sided tape
- Ribbon for suspenders
- Packing tape (optional, to reinforce the box)
Pick a box your child can comfortably stand in with room for their head and arms. Clear and flatten any inner flaps, then paint the exterior in the color you prefer — black, silver, or any hue that matches your phone design. Spray paint covers large surfaces quickly, but craft paint works well too.
Build the Phone Face
Measure and cut a piece of black poster board to fit the front opening of the box. This will serve as the phone screen. Secure it inside the front so it lays flat and looks like a screen.
Cut squares or rounded rectangles from cardstock or construction paper to act as app icons. Decorate these with simple shapes, letters, or recognizable app-style symbols. We used a cutting machine to create icons, but you can freehand them with markers, paint, or crayons.
Glue or tape the poster board screen in place, then arrange and adhere the app icons on top. Keep spacing consistent to mimic a real smartphone layout. Add a home button or speaker cutout if you like.
Finishing Touches and Fit
Cut comfortable arm holes on each side of the box so your child can move freely. Use ribbon or fabric straps as suspenders to hold the boxtume on the shoulders. Attach the ribbon securely inside the top of the box and adjust the length so the costume rests at a comfortable height. Reinforce the box with packing tape where needed to keep the shape steady.
Trim the box edges if it feels bulky or slides off. Add any extra decorations — glitter, stickers, or painted accents — to personalize the look. The finished boxtume is lightweight, playful, and surprisingly realistic when painted and detailed.
I love how our phone boxtume turned out — it’s cute, easy to make, and a great way to reuse boxes.
More Ways to Reuse Boxes for Halloween
Boxtumes are only one fun use for extra Amazon Prime boxes. You can also build a cardboard haunted house, make yard decorations, or cut spooky silhouettes for windows and walls. If traditional trick-or-treating isn’t planned in your area, consider alternatives like a backyard movie night, scavenger hunt, or socially distanced candy stations — all of which pair perfectly with boxtume costumes and themed decor.
Enjoy the seasonal entertainment available through Prime Video, Prime Reading, Prime Gaming, and Amazon Music to plan a cozy dress-up movie night or ghost-story session with the family.
Not an Amazon Prime member yet? Consider trying a free trial to explore Prime’s entertainment and shopping benefits.
Have you made a boxtume from Prime boxes? Share your ideas and photos on social media and celebrate creative, sustainable costume-making this Halloween.
Easy Halloween Crafts for Kids
- Pumpkin pop-up card
- Mix-N-Match Pumpkin Faces craft
- Halloween sensory bottles — three designs
- Ghost magnet craft
- Felt monsters craft
- DIY jack-o’-lantern from empty laundry containers
Printable Instructions
Print Recipe
Smart Phone Costume made from a Cardboard Box
Equipment
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Scissors
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Glue
Ingredients
- Cardboard box
- Poster board
- Spray paint
Instructions
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Choose a box that your child can fit inside.
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Paint the outside of the box in your chosen color. Spray paint works well for even coverage.
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Measure and cut black poster board to fit the front of the box and glue it in place to form the screen.
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Cut app-shaped pieces from cardstock and glue them onto the screen.
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Attach ribbon inside the box to make suspenders so the costume hangs comfortably on the shoulders.
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Cut arm holes on the sides, and trim or tape the box edges as needed for fit and stability.
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Add personal touches and decorations to finish your boxtume.
Pin our cell phone boxtume on Pinterest:
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Fun & Safe Alternatives to Trick or Treat for Kids
Pumpkin Crafts for Kids