If you could teleport, where would you go - Fun at-home activities for Kids.

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If you could teleport, where would you go?

Design and build a cardboard teleportation portal model, plan three travel destinations, and create a travel journal describing each imagined visit.

Table of contents

Step-by-step guide to design and build a cardboard teleportation portal model and create a travel journal

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How Does Teleportation Work?

What you need

Cardboard box, scissors, tape, glue stick, colouring materials (markers crayons or colored pencils), plain paper, pencil, ruler, adult supervision required

Step 1

Gather all the materials and clear a flat workspace.

Step 2

Trace a big portal shape onto the cardboard using the pencil and ruler.

Step 3

Cut out the traced portal opening from the cardboard with scissors while an adult watches.

Step 4

Cut two long cardboard strips to use as a frame for the portal.

Step 5

Tape the strips to the back of the portal opening to make a thick frame so it stands up.

Step 6

Decorate the portal with coloring materials and stickers to make it look magical.

Step 7

Write the name of three teleport destinations, one name on each sheet of plain paper.

Step 8

On the first destination sheet draw a big picture of the place you would visit.

Step 9

On the first destination sheet write three sentences describing what you do and see there.

Step 10

On the second destination sheet draw a big picture of the place you would visit.

Step 11

On the second destination sheet write three sentences describing what you do and see there.

Step 12

On the third destination sheet draw a big picture of the place you would visit.

Step 13

On the third destination sheet write three sentences describing what you do and see there.

Step 14

Stack the three destination pages together and bind them into a travel journal by stapling or tying them with string.

Step 15

Share a photo and description of your cardboard teleportation portal and travel journal on DIY.org.

Help!?

What can I use if I don't have cardboard, tape, or string?

Use a thick cereal box or poster board instead of the cardboard portal, duct or masking tape instead of clear tape for attaching the frame strips, and ribbon or yarn in place of string when binding the three destination pages.

What if the portal doesn't stand up or the cut edges are messy?

If the portal won't stand, make the two cardboard strips wider and tape them firmly to the back of the portal opening as the instructions say, and if cutting is messy, have an adult carefully trim the edges or cover them with tape.

How do I change the activity for different ages?

For preschoolers, have an adult trace and cut the portal and strips and let kids decorate and draw large pictures, while older children can paint the portal, write longer paragraphs for each destination, and bind the journal themselves with staples or a hole punch and string.

How can we make the portal or travel journal more special?

Personalize and extend the project by adding battery fairy lights taped to the back of the portal frame, gluing on 3D decorations or stickers, inserting photos or postcards into the travel journal pages, and uploading the finished portal and journal photos to DIY.org with a short description.

Watch videos on how to design and build a cardboard teleportation portal model and create a travel journal

0:00/0:00

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

What If Teleportation Was Possible?

4 Videos

Facts about model making and imaginative storytelling

🌀 Teleportation is a classic science-fiction idea — and 'quantum teleportation' is a real physics technique that moves quantum information (not people!).

📦 Corrugated fiberboard (cardboard) was first used for packaging in the 19th century and is strong, lightweight and highly recyclable—great for model-making.

✍️ Many explorers kept travel journals that became famous books; Charles Darwin’s notes from the Beagle voyage turned into influential scientific writing.

✨ Imagining different places and planning pretend trips helps grow creativity and storytelling skills—designing three destinations is a powerful brainstorm tool.

🗺️ Building a portal model blends art, engineering and map-making—professionals use small-scale models to test ideas for exhibits and theme-park attractions.

How to do the 'If you could teleport' cardboard portal activity

To do this activity, start by brainstorming three imaginative destinations and sketch brief scenes for each. Design a cardboard portal frame from a large box or poster board, cutting an opening and reinforcing edges with tape. Decorate with paint, foil, LEDs or markers. Build props or maps for each destination, then create a travel journal with drawings, sensory details, a short diary entry, and stamps or photos. Finish by role-playing a teleportation trip and sharing entries aloud.

Materials needed for a cardboard teleportation portal and travel journal

You'll need cardboard boxes or a large sheet of corrugated cardboard, scissors and a craft knife (adult use), ruler, pencil, strong tape and white glue, paints, brushes, markers, colored paper, stickers and foil for decorations. For the journal, use a notebook or stapled paper, colored pencils or crayons, glue stick, and a camera or phone for photos. Optional: battery tea-lights, LED strips, string, and fabric for curtains or flags.

What ages is this teleportation portal activity suitable for?

This activity suits ages differently: preschoolers (4–6) enjoy decorating a small portal and dictating journal entries with heavy adult supervision for cutting; primary school kids (7–10) can design, cut cardboard with guidance, and write short entries independently; tweens and teens (11+) can build complex portals, add lights or electronics, and create detailed travelogues. Adjust tools, cutting tasks, and writing prompts to each child's ability and always supervise sharp tools.

Benefits of making a teleportation portal and travel journal

Designing a teleportation portal boosts creativity, spatial reasoning, and problem-solving as kids plan and build. Writing travel journals strengthens vocabulary, storytelling, and sequencing skills while encouraging reflection and imagination. The project promotes fine motor development through cutting and decorating, teamwork when done with family, and basic STEM skills if children measure, test and reinforce structures. It's an accessible multisensory activity that supports literacy and confi

Ready to create?

All Activities

If you could teleport, where would you go?

Design and build a cardboard teleportation portal model, plan three travel destinations, and create a travel journal describing each imagined visit.

Table of contents

Step-by-step guide to design and build a cardboard teleportation portal model and create a travel journal

0:00/0:00

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

How Does Teleportation Work?

What you need

Cardboard box, scissors, tape, glue stick, colouring materials (markers crayons or colored pencils), plain paper, pencil, ruler, adult supervision required

Step 1

Gather all the materials and clear a flat workspace.

Step 2

Trace a big portal shape onto the cardboard using the pencil and ruler.

Step 3

Cut out the traced portal opening from the cardboard with scissors while an adult watches.

Step 4

Cut two long cardboard strips to use as a frame for the portal.

Step 5

Tape the strips to the back of the portal opening to make a thick frame so it stands up.

Step 6

Decorate the portal with coloring materials and stickers to make it look magical.

Step 7

Write the name of three teleport destinations, one name on each sheet of plain paper.

Step 8

On the first destination sheet draw a big picture of the place you would visit.

Step 9

On the first destination sheet write three sentences describing what you do and see there.

Step 10

On the second destination sheet draw a big picture of the place you would visit.

Step 11

On the second destination sheet write three sentences describing what you do and see there.

Step 12

On the third destination sheet draw a big picture of the place you would visit.

Step 13

On the third destination sheet write three sentences describing what you do and see there.

Step 14

Stack the three destination pages together and bind them into a travel journal by stapling or tying them with string.

Step 15

Share a photo and description of your cardboard teleportation portal and travel journal on DIY.org.

Help!?

What can I use if I don't have cardboard, tape, or string?

What if the portal doesn't stand up or the cut edges are messy?

How do I change the activity for different ages?

How can we make the portal or travel journal more special?

Watch videos on how to design and build a cardboard teleportation portal model and create a travel journal

0:00/0:00

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

What If Teleportation Was Possible?

4 Videos

Facts about model making and imaginative storytelling

🌀 Teleportation is a classic science-fiction idea — and 'quantum teleportation' is a real physics technique that moves quantum information (not people!).

📦 Corrugated fiberboard (cardboard) was first used for packaging in the 19th century and is strong, lightweight and highly recyclable—great for model-making.

✍️ Many explorers kept travel journals that became famous books; Charles Darwin’s notes from the Beagle voyage turned into influential scientific writing.

✨ Imagining different places and planning pretend trips helps grow creativity and storytelling skills—designing three destinations is a powerful brainstorm tool.

🗺️ Building a portal model blends art, engineering and map-making—professionals use small-scale models to test ideas for exhibits and theme-park attractions.