Explosion boxes

Box example

Explosion Boxes

If you love pop-ups – those playful, joyful constructions that bring books and cards to life –

 then you will enjoy making “explosion boxes.” These popular 3D paper crafts take pop-ups to a 

whole new world.

Like pop-ups, “explosion boxes” offer an engaging way to invite students into the world of 

math and engineering. They encourage students to explore and work with measurement, parallel 

and perpendicular lines, angles, triangles, symmetry, and transformational geometry, all in the 

context of engaging students to design and make themselves.

Although the deepest learning comes when students design from scratch, 

The simple explosion box shown here is designed to enclose a small Valentine’s Day treat, gift, or note. 

It can be printed first and then cut, or cut without printing from coloured card stock or plain white paper 

that students decorate themselves.

Box Example

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Students can customise with colour, cutouts, and other design elements. Once students have their 

initial model in hand, ask them to explore their constructions. 

Box example

Box example

Challenge:

• Design 2D, pop-up, or 3D elements scaled to fit inside your explosion box.
• Can you resize the box to hold a different object?Design an original explosion box from scratch for Valentine’s Day or another occasion. 
• Search “explosion box” on the Internet for ideas.Make a different shaped explosion box. 
• Can you design a box that looks like a building, animal or other object? 
• With a specific purpose or “client” in mind, set criteria and constraints and design a box that meets these guidelines.