Make a life hack
Make a simple phone stand from cardboard and tape. Measure, cut, fold, decorate, and test stability to learn problem solving and recycling.
About this activity
Make a simple phone stand from cardboard and tape. Measure, cut, fold, decorate, and test stability to learn problem solving and recycling.
What you need
Step by step
- 1
Step 1
Gather all the materials and clear a flat workspace so you have room to measure and cut.
- 2
Step 2
Measure the width and height of your phone with the ruler and remember the numbers.
- 3
Step 3
Place your phone on the cardboard and draw a rectangle that is 1 cm wider and 1 cm taller than the phone.
- 4
Step 4
Draw a back support strip on the cardboard about as tall as your phone and about 4 cm wide and add a 1 cm line at one end for a fold.
- 5
Step 5
Cut out the base rectangle and the back support strip using the scissors.
- 6
Step 6
Score and fold along the 1 cm line on the strip to make a small folded lip.
- 7
Step 7
Tape the folded strip to the back edge of the base at a slight angle so it can hold the phone upright.
- 8
Step 8
Place your phone on the stand to test whether it sits upright and feels stable.
- 9
Step 9
If the phone slides forward add small pieces of tape to the lip to make a non slippery edge.
- 10
Step 10
Decorate your stand with colouring materials stickers or drawings to make it fun and unique.
- 11
Step 11
Take a photo and share your finished phone stand on DIY.org
Fun facts
How do you make a simple phone stand from cardboard and tape?
Measure your phone’s width and thickness. Cut a rectangle for a base and a longer piece for the back support, or cut one piece and fold it into a triangular support. Create a small front lip (about 1 cm) to hold the phone. Fold and tape seams for strength, reinforce corners, and decorate. Test with the phone, adjust the angle or add folded inserts for extra stability.
What materials do I need to make a cardboard phone stand?
You’ll need sturdy recycled cardboard (like a cereal box), a ruler, pencil, scissors or a craft knife (adult use only), and tape (clear or masking). Optional items: glue, markers, stickers, decorative paper, and small rubber pads for non-slip feet. Use safer scissors for younger children and a cutting mat if using a craft knife.
What ages is making a cardboard phone stand suitable for?
This activity suits different ages: preschoolers (4–6) can decorate and help fold with close adult help; school-age kids (7–10) can measure and cut with supervision; older children and teens can handle precise cutting and stronger reinforcement. Always supervise any sharp tools and give age-appropriate tasks to build fine motor skills and confidence.
What safety tips should I follow when making a cardboard phone stand?
Supervise children during cutting and use a craft knife only with an adult. For little ones, use blunt scissors. Keep small decorations away from children under three. Tape edges well so no sharp cardboard peels up, and test stability before placing a device. Don’t leave a charging phone unattended on an improvised stand and work on a clean, well-lit surface.
Watch & Learn
Need help?
What can I use instead of cardboard, a ruler, or tape if I don't have them?
Use a cereal box or cleaned thin plastic container instead of cardboard, a credit card or straight-edged book as a ruler for the measuring step, and replace tape with glue, a stapler, or paper clips to attach the folded strip.
What should I do if the phone stand won't hold the phone upright or the phone slides forward?
If the phone tips or slides (step where you test stability), widen the back support strip, add a second layer of cardboard to the base, tighten the tape at the fold, and stick small pieces of tape to the lip as the instructions suggest to make a non-slip edge.
How can I adapt this activity for younger or older kids?
For younger children, have an adult do the measuring, cutting, and scoring while the child tapes and decorates the pre-cut pieces, and for older kids let them measure precisely, cut the 1 cm fold themselves, and experiment with different angles or multiple support lips for sturdiness.
How can we extend or personalize the phone stand beyond decorating with stickers and drawings?
Enhance the stand by cutting a small notch in the base for a charging cable, gluing foam or extra tape to the lip for extra grip, painting or varnishing the cardboard for durability, and then take the photo to share on DIY.org as the final step.