Learn How to Cut Cardboard with Cricut in JenniferMaker's tutorial. Fun, multicolored cardboard jumping boxes scattered with confetti sit on a white surface with fun birthday balloons in the background.

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Learn how to cut cardboard with Cricut and make a cardboard jumping box!

I love testing the capabilities of my crafting tools, especially my Cricut cutting machines. Did you know that the Cricut Maker and Explore series machines can cut thicker materials with the right blades? As long as it’s the right thickness, your Cricut Maker or Explore can cut it! Learning to cut cardboard with Cricut allows you to make all sorts of things — like these super awesome cardboard jumping boxes I designed!

Want to save this project? Enter your email below and we’ll send the project straight to your inbox.
 

Get the free SVG cut file for this project

Learn How to Cut Cardboard with Cricut in JenniferMaker's tutorial. Fun, multicolored cardboard jumping boxes scattered with confetti sit on a white surface with fun birthday balloons in the background.

What a surprise it is to lift the lid on a gift box and have it burst open with confetti and a sweet sentiment surprise! The box jumps and explodes because of elastic bands and metal washers, but requires a material much more rigid than regular cardstock to work right. That’s where the cardboard comes into play! But how can your Cricut cut it?

Learn How to Cut Cardboard with Cricut in JenniferMaker's tutorial. Fun, multicolored cardboard jumping boxes scattered with confetti sit on a white surface with fun birthday balloons in the background.

I’ll show you how to cut cardboard with a Cricut using a Knife Blade and a Maker 3, but you can also cut cardboard on an original Maker, an Explore 3, and an Explore Air 2. Be sure to follow the tutorial to get the right cut settings — they may not be the settings you expect!

If you’re an Explore user, you might be thinking, “But the Explore machines can’t use Knife Blades!” And you’re totally right, they don’t. However, through all my testing, I found a workaround that you won’t want to miss. Anyone with an Explore or Maker machine can use it to make a cardboard jumping box with the right blade.

Learn How to Cut Cardboard with Cricut in JenniferMaker's tutorial. Fun, multicolored cardboard jumping boxes scattered with confetti sit on a white surface with fun birthday balloons in the background.

Learning to cut new materials with your cutting machine is a valuable skill that’ll open up a whole new world of possibilities in your crafting! Be sure to read the step-by-step guide in this blog post or watch my video tutorial to get all the details. 

To demonstrate these new skills, I’ll walk you through how to cut cardboard with a Cricut to make your own cardboard jumping box. You’ll need a sheet of cardboard cut to 11 x 12 inches. Why such a specific size? So it fits correctly into your Cricut! Your cardboard should be no more than 2mm thick, or else it may not fit into your Cricut. I show you a really easy way to check in my video tutorial.

Learn How to Cut Cardboard with Cricut in JenniferMaker's tutorial. Fun, multicolored cardboard jumping boxes scattered with confetti sit on a white surface with fun birthday balloons in the background.

But cardboard is kind of boring, don’t you think? That’s why I designed not one, but two different sets of panels and sentiments you can use to decorate your cardboard jumping box and lid: A “Happy Birthday” set and a “Celebrate!” set. If you’re curious about customizing the designs for this jumping box for different occasions, be sure to check out the video to learn about an exciting new way to learn!

I’ll show you how to set the score lines in Cricut Design Space so you can use a scoring tool to make folding your box lid and flaps much easier and more precise. No scoring tool? No problem. My download file for this project includes a helpful PDF for help in creating those fold lines yourself. 

Learn How to Cut Cardboard with Cricut in JenniferMaker's tutorial. Fun, multicolored cardboard jumping boxes scattered with confetti sit on a white surface with fun birthday balloons in the background.

There’s a complete list of tools and materials below for making my cardboard jumping box design, including metal washers, hot glue, and washi tape — be sure to watch my video tutorial to find out how I used them!

Learning to cut cardboard with Cricut is easy when you learn the right techniques and have the right materials for the job! Then you can flex your new skills and make a super fun cardboard jumping box for someone special.

Learn How to Cut Cardboard with Cricut in JenniferMaker's tutorial. Fun, multicolored cardboard jumping boxes scattered with confetti sit on a white surface with fun birthday balloons in the background.

Ready to learn how to cut cardboard with Cricut? This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience (which means if you make a purchase after clicking a link I will earn a small commission but it won’t cost you a penny more)! Read my full disclosure policy.

Materials And Tools to Make a Cardboard Jumping Box

See my Amazon shopping list with exactly what I used!

Learn How to Cut Cardboard with Cricut in JenniferMaker's tutorial. Want to make this? Design #581 is free at jennifermaker.com/library. Fun, multicolored cardboard jumping boxes scattered with confetti sit on a white surface with fun birthday balloons in the background.

How to Cut Cardboard with Cricut!

Cut Cardboard With Cricut

Yield: 1
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Active Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
Difficulty: Medium to Difficult
Estimated Cost: $3 - $5

Learn how to cut cardboard with a Cricut to make a gift box that jumps open with a message when you remove the lid.

Instructions

STEP 1: GET MY FREE CARDBOARD JUMPING BOX DESIGNS

First, download my Cut Cardboard With Cricut designs from my free library – look for Design #581. Alternatively, you can use the Save This Project form near the top of this post and the design link will be emailed to you.

TIP: If you’re not sure how to upload, go to jennifermaker.com/svgs to learn how to unzip and upload SVG files.

In the download folder, there are two designs: a jumping box with a Happy Birthday sentiment and one with a Celebrate sentiment. In this tutorial, I will show you how to make the Happy Birthday design.

STEP 2: PREPARE YOUR CARDBOARD JUMPING BOX DESIGN

CRICUT DESIGN SPACE

1. Open Cricut Design Space and click “New Project.”

2. Click “Upload” and then “Upload Image.”

3. Click “Browse.”

4. Select the SVG file you want to make.

5. On the Prepare to Upload screen, it will say “Cut image” with the design preview.

6. Click “Upload.”

7. Find your design in Recent Uploads and add it to the Canvas.

The cardboard jumping box on the Cricut Design Space canvas, showing the dimensions as 10.57 inches wide by 16.78 inches high

8. Ungroup the design.

9. In the Layers Panel, find the first group of two layers for the box's base: the bottom is a large brown shape, the top is just lines. Select the layer with just lines. It will be colored red.

In Cricut Design Space, select the red score line layer grouped with its brown base layer for the cardboard jumping box

10. Use the Operation menu to change the layer to “Score.”

In Cricut Design Space, change the operation to Score for the red score line layer grouped with the brown base piece for the cardboard jumping box

11. Click the layer group to select both the brown Cut layer and the Score layer, then click “Attach.”

In Cricut Design Space, attach the score line layer for the brown base piece to its grouped cut layer for the cardboard jumping box

TIP: The attached layers will jump to the top of the Layers Panel. If you want to see the layers underneath, just click the attached group and select “Arrange” and “Send to Back.”

In Cricut Design Space, click Arrange and Send to Back to move the newly attached cardboard jumping box score and base layers to the back of the canvas

12. Repeat Steps 9-11 to convert and attach the score lines for the second group of two layers for the box’s lid.

In Cricut Design Space, select the group of two layers for the cardboard jumping box lid. The top will be just lines and the bottom will be a blue cut piece.

13. If you’d like to use different colors for any of your pieces, select the piece you want to change, then use the Color Box at the top to pick a new color.

NOTE: The brown layer is intended to be cut on cardboard. The rest of the layers can be cut on any color 65 lb. cardstock.

14. Your jumping box is ready to cut!

15. Make sure the correct machine is selected in the top right.

16. Click “Make.”

17. If prompted, click "On Mat," choose your mat size, and click “Confirm.”

18. On the Prepare Screen, you will have 8 mats if you’re using the same colors as me.

On the Cricut Design Space Prepare screen for the cardboard jumping box, there will be 8 mats

19. If needed, change the Material Size to match each paper you’re using.

20. Select the brown mat to cut the cardboard first, then click “Continue.”

CUTTING

1. On the Make Screen, click “Browse All Materials.”

2. Set the brown mat to “Chipboard (1.5 mm)” with “Default” Pressure.

In Cricut Design Space, select the "Chipboard (1.5mm)" setting with Default Pressure for the cardboard jumping box brown base piece

NOTE: If you’re using an Explore Series machine, or if you don’t have a Knife Blade for your Maker, I’ve found that the Deep Point Blade works well using the “Corrugated Cardboard” setting with “Default” Pressure.

3. Change the score tool if you want.

4. Move the white star wheels on your machine all the way to the right.

cardboard jumping box

5. Use scissors to cut your cardboard to approximately 11” wide and 12” tall.

cardboard jumping box

NOTE: If you’re using the cardboard sheets from my materials list, make sure you don’t cut off more than an inch, as that could cause part of the design to get cut off. If your cardboard is a little wider than 11", that's OK -- we just want to make sure it doesn't interfere with the star wheels on the right.

6. Place it on a purple StrongGrip machine mat, aligning it with the top left.

7. Use a brayer to adhere it well.

8. Test your cardboard’s thickness to make sure your machine will cut it by sliding the machine mat with the cardboard attached under the bar on your Cricut. If it won’t fit under the bar, it’s too thick.

NOTE: The cardboard you use should be about 2mm or less in thickness. If your cardboard is thicker, use the PDF template to cut it by hand with a craft knife.

9. Secure all four edges of the cardboard with painter's tape. Place the tape no more than about ¼” over the cardboard’s edges to make it easier to remove later.

cardboard jumping box

10. Cut or tear away any excess tape that extends past the left side of the mat so it doesn’t interfere with the rollers or machine guides during cutting.

Remove any excess painter's tape that extends past the left side of the machine mat before cutting your cardboard jumping box base piece

cardboard jumping box

11. Load the Knife Blade in Clamp B and the Scoring Stylus in Clamp A.

cardboard jumping box

NOTE: If you’re using a Scoring Wheel instead, load it into the appropriate clamp when prompted.

12. Press the flashing “Load/Unload” button to load the prepared mat into your Cricut.

13. Press the flashing “Go” button to begin cutting.

14. The cutting process will take 4-5 passes. Stay with your Cricut and watch the cut.

NOTE: If you're using a Deep Point Blade, it still takes 4-5 passes to cut all the way through the cardboard. To cut another pass in the same spot, just press the "Go" button again instead of unloading your mat.

15. After 4 passes, press the “Pause” button to check if it has cut all the way through. If not, press the “Go” button to keep going.

Use a weeding tool to lift up the edge of the cut cardboard to make sure it's cut all the way through before unloading the mat with the box base for the cardboard jumping box

16. When it has finished cutting, press the “Load/Unload” button to unload the mat, remove the painter’s tape, flip your mat over, and pull the mat away from the cardboard.

17. To cut the rest of your 65 lb. cardstock pieces, use the “Medium Cardstock - 80 lb (216 gsm)” setting with “More” Pressure in Design Space.

In Cricut Design Space, select the "Medium Cardstock - 80 lb (216 gsm)" setting with More Pressure for the cardboard jumping box 65 lb cardstock pieces

18. Place your cardstock face up on a StandardGrip machine mat and use a brayer to make sure it’s fully adhered.

19. Remove the Knife Blade from the clamp, and move the four star wheels back into place.

20. Check that your Fine-Point Blade is clean, and insert it into the clamp.

21. Press the flashing “Load/Unload” button to load the prepared mat into your Cricut.

22. Press the flashing “Go” button to begin cutting.

TIP: Before unloading the mat, gently lift a corner of the paper to make sure the cuts went all the way through. If not, press the “Go” button again to make a second cut pass in the same spot.

23. When it has finished cutting, unload the mat, flip it over onto your work surface, and roll it back to release the paper.

TIP: Be careful when removing intricate pieces. Use a spatula to carefully remove any intricate parts and a weeding tool to pop out any small pieces. If you have trouble with any of your cuts, check out my Cricut Tips & Tricks for Cleaner Cuts.

Use a spatula to remove delicate pieces from the machine mat for the cardboard jumping box

24. Follow steps 17-23 to cut and remove your remaining cardstock pieces.

TIP: Save the confetti cutout pieces from the colored panels instead of throwing them away. You can use them as confetti inside your assembled box later!

25. Place your pieces face up on your work surface. Here are what my cut pieces look like.

All the cut pieces for the happy birthday version of the cardboard jumping box displayed on a work surface

STEP 3: ASSEMBLE YOUR CARDBOARD JUMPING BOX

Cut the Elastic Slits and Attach the First Set of Accent Panels

1. Remove any excess painter’s tape from your box base and use a craft knife and self-healing cutting mat to cut away any stuck pieces of cardboard.

2. Fold the cardboard flaps back and forth at their creases several times so they move easily.

cardboard jumping box

3. Place the cardboard score-side-up on a self-healing mat.

4. Use a craft knife to carefully cut through the ¼” score lines in each flap to create eight slits.

cardboard jumping box

5. Pick up the cardboard and poke your weeding tool through one end of one of the slits.

CAUTION: Keep your fingers out of the way in the back.

6. Then use the weeding tool to poke through the other end of the slit.

cardboard jumping box

7. Drag the weeding tool between the holes to complete the slit.

Use a weeding tool to finish making the small slits in the panels for the elastic pieces on the cardboard jumping box

8. Repeat steps 5-7 on the other seven slits.

9. Place the cardboard on your work surface.

10. Find four of the different-colored confetti panels.

11. Lay one on top of each flap in whatever order you like. Then mark what color is on each panel with a pen or pencil (you won’t see these marks after the box is assembled).

cardboard jumping box

12. Cut a piece of colored masking tape or washi tape the length of one side of a box flap in a color that matches one of the panels.

Cut a piece of washi tape or colored masking tape the length of a side of a box panel and then apply it to the cardboard jumping box panel edge

13. Apply the tape to the edge of that flap, wrapping it around to the other side and pressing down to adhere it evenly on both sides of the flap.

cardboard jumping box

NOTE: If there’s any excess tape, just cut it off with scissors.

Cut the excess washi tape off with scissors after applying it to the edge of a panel of the cardboard jumping box

14. Repeat steps 12-13 with the other two sides of the flap, covering all three edges with washi tape.

15. Cut another piece of washi tape in the same color, and adhere it over the crease.

cardboard jumping box

16. Firmly press the tape into the crease with your fingertip.

cardboard jumping box

17. Repeat steps 15-16 for the crease on the back.

18. Test the flap by bending it back and forth. It should move freely.

cardboard jumping box

19. Repeat steps 12-18 to add masking tape or washi tape to the edges and both creases of the other three box flaps, matching the tape color to the confetti panels.

Add colored masking tape or washi tape around the flap edges and over the creases of the cardboard jumping box to create a finished look

20. Add craft glue to one of the flaps, over the brown cardboard and the washi tape, avoiding the slits.

cardboard jumping box

21. Grab four of the white square panels and four of the colored confetti panels. Place a white square on the glue-covered flap and press down to adhere it.

Glue the white square panel to the cardboard jumping box side panel and make sure it's facing the correct direction

NOTE: The white and confetti panels are not perfectly square, so align them to the flaps to make sure they’re oriented correctly.

Glue the white square panel to the cardboard jumping box side panel and make sure it's facing the correct direction. Move it away from the crease if needed.

22. Fold the flap up and adjust the placement of the white panel, if needed, so it doesn’t interfere with the crease and the flap can move easily.

23. Repeat steps 20-22 on the other three flaps.

24. Put a thin line of glue around the back edge of one colored confetti panel, then a few lines or dots in between the cutouts.

cardboard jumping box

25. Place it glue side down on the flap with the matching colored tape, then immediately fold the flap up to make sure the bottom edge doesn’t interfere with the crease. Adjust the placement if needed before the glue dries.

Add the colored confetti panels on top of the white panels to decorate your cardboard jumping box

26. Smooth the cardstock down with your fingers.

27. Repeat steps 24-26 on the other three panels.

28. Find one of the solid colored squares without any confetti cutouts (mine is yellow) and apply glue to one side.

29. Press it down into place in the very center of your cardboard.

Glue the plain yellow square piece to the bottom center panel of the cardboard jumping box

30. Before the glue dries, lift up the four flaps into a box shape to make sure the center square is perfectly centered and doesn’t interfere with the flaps moving.

Fold up the sides of the cardboard jumping box to make sure the center cardstock panel is correctly aligned and doesn't interfere with the creases

31. Turn the box over on the self-healing mat so the colorful panels are facing down.

Flip the cardboard jumping box over so the colored panels are face down in order to cut the elastic slits into the cardstock

32. Using a craft knife, carefully follow the cut of one slit so it goes through the two new layers of cardstock on the other side.

cardboard jumping box

33. Flip it over and you should see a cut or score of the slit on the cardstock.

34. Use the craft knife to carefully cut along this line so the slit goes all the way through both layers of cardstock.

cardboard jumping box

35. Repeat steps 32-34 for the other seven slits.

Attach the Elastic Bands

1. Cut four pieces of elastic, each about 8” long.

2. Use your tweezers to push one end of an elastic piece through one of the slits, then use your fingers to pull it through so about 1” shows on the other side.

Use tweezers to push the end of the elastic through a slit on a decorated panel of the cardboard jumping box

Pull the end of the elastic through to the other side of the cardboard jumping box panel so about an inch is visible

3. Use your tweezers to push a second piece of elastic through the slit next to it on the same panel.

4. Plug in and heat up your hot glue gun. Put on hot glue finger caps.

5. Apply a line of hot glue onto the cardboard under where the end of an elastic piece lies.

Hot glue the loose ends of the cardboard jumping box elastic pieces to the inside of the box after pushing them through the slits

6. Press the elastic down onto the glue to adhere it to the cardboard.

7. Repeat steps 5-6 to glue the other elastic end in place.

8. Pull the other end of one elastic through the slit on the opposite flap across from it.

9. Use your tweezers to push it through the slit, then pull it through the other side with your fingers.

10. Repeat steps 8-9 with the other elastic piece, creating two parallel lines of elastic across the box base.

Use tweezers to push the end of the elastic through a slit on the opposite panel of the cardboard jumping box

11. With both flaps pointing straight up and parallel to each other, pull the elastic pieces through the slits from the back to make them taut.

TIP: Pull the elastic so it’s tight but not so much that the box flaps fold inward. Keep the flaps perpendicular to your work surface and the elastic taut.

Pull the elastic ends taut through the slits in the sides of the cardboard jumping box, making sure the two sides are facing straight up

12. Put your hot glue finger caps on and glue the first inch of each elastic end down, one at a time. Try not to move the flaps. After the glue is dry, cut off the excess elastic.

Hot glue the loose ends of the cardboard jumping box elastic pieces to the outside of the box after pulling them taut

13. Repeat steps 2-12 with the other two elastics connecting the other two flaps.

IMPORTANT: After the second two elastic pieces are glued to one panel, weave their loose ends through the first two pieces like you’re weaving a basket (one will go over then under the first pieces, and the other will go under then over).

Weave the four elastic pieces through each other like a basket and pull them taut to create the jumping effect for the cardboard jumping box

Assemble the Lid

1. On the cardstock lid piece, fold along the score lines and crease them with the scraper.

Use a scraper to crease along the folds for the cardboard jumping box's lid side sections

2. Fold the sides into place.

3. Apply craft glue to the outside of a flap.

Add craft glue to the outside of the folded flaps on the cardboard jumping box's lid

4. Using your fingers, pinch the flap and the side of the lid together to adhere them.

Pinch the glued lid flaps against the lid sides to assemble the cardboard jumping box lid

5. Repeat steps 3-4 with the other flaps and sides.

6. Once the lid is completely dry, put it on the box and test the jumping box function. If it doesn’t jump open, make adjustments to the elastic tension as needed.

cardboard jumping box

NOTE: Don’t worry if it doesn’t land face up, we’ll fix that later.

7. Take the cardstock square with the small slot in the middle and apply craft glue to one side, avoiding the slot.

8. Adhere the piece to the top of the lid. Make sure the slots are aligned and press down on both sides so it’s adhered well.

Glue the plain square piece with a slot in the center onto the top of the cardboard jumping box's assembled lid

9. Apply craft glue to the back of the square piece with balloon cutouts, avoiding the cutouts.

10. Adhere it to the top of the lid, on top of the layer you just attached.

TIP: Be sure to glue down any smaller bits, like the cardstock between the balloons and around the ribbons.

Glue the square piece with the balloon cutouts onto the top of the cardboard jumping box's assembled lid, aligning the slot to the layers below

11. Use your fingers to press the layers together on both sides to adhere them well.

Attach the Second Set of Accent Panels

1. Fold the box so the plain cardboard is on the outside.

cardboard jumping box

2. Apply a generous amount of craft glue to one side of the box, including on top of the elastic, then adhere one of the remaining white panel squares to it.

NOTE: Make sure not to position the white square too close to the crease, so the flap can still freely bend both ways.

Glue the plain white square onto the cardboard jumping box side panel, making sure to face it the correct direction

3. Use your fingers to press down all over the square to really adhere it well to the cardboard and elastics.

4. Repeat steps 2-3 for the other three white squares.

5. Follow the same directions to add the colored confetti squares to each of their corresponding panels (the panel color should match the tape color on the box flap).

cardboard jumping box

6. Apply craft glue to one side of the other solid square, and attach it to the middle that still has cardboard exposed.

Glue the plain yellow square piece to the uncovered bottom center panel of the cardboard jumping box

TIP: Fold up the box sides before it dries to make sure it's perfectly centered and doesn't interfere with the flaps moving.

Assemble the "Happy Birthday" Sentiment

1. Apply craft glue to the back of one orange “birthday” piece, avoiding the cutouts in the letters. (The letters will be backward on the back side.)

2. Attach it on top of a “birthday” section on the yellow layer.

Glue the orange "birthday" piece on top of the yellow "birthday" base to make the cardboard jumping box "happy birthday" sentiment

3. Repeat steps 1-2 with the other orange “birthday” piece, layering it on top of the other yellow “birthday” section.

4. Fold and crease along the dashed lines on the assembled “birthday” piece, so the word reads correctly from the outside.

Use a scraper tool to crease along the folded edge of the cardboard jumping box "birthday" sentiment

5. Get the twelve balloon pieces and place them in the correct spots on the white “happy” piece.

TIP: Refer to your Cricut Design Space screen for help with placement.

6. Apply craft glue to the back of each balloon piece and press them into place.

TIP: Tweezers can help with placing small pieces.

Place the twelve balloon pieces in their correct positions for the birthday themed cardboard jumping box and use tweezers to help glue them in place one by one

7. Apply craft glue to the back of one of the blue “happy” pieces, avoiding the cutouts, then adhere it to a white “happy” section.

cardboard jumping box

8. Repeat step 7 with the other blue “happy” piece, layering it on top of the other white “happy” section.

9. Fold and crease along the dashed lines on the assembled “happy” piece, so the word reads correctly from the outside.

Use a scraper tool to crease along the folded edge of the cardboard jumping box "happy" sentiment

10. Apply craft glue along the bottom of the assembled “happy” piece.

Add craft glue to the bottom of the assembled "happy" sentiment piece for the cardboard jumping box

11. Insert it into the middle of the assembled “birthday” piece.

Insert the assembled "happy" piece into the center of the assembled "birthday" piece for the cardboard jumping box "happy birthday" sentiment

12. Press down to adhere the glue.

TIP: Unfold the “happy” and “birthday” pieces so you can really press them together, then fold them back into place.

Press down to attach the two glued pieces together for the "happy birthday" cardboard jumping box sentiment

13. Place your assembled box on your work surface with the center panel face up and elastic face down inside.

14. Apply glue to the bottom of the assembled “happy birthday” sentiment.

Add glue to the bottom of the assembled "happy birthday" sentiment to attach it to the cardboard jumping box

15. Press it down diagonally onto the middle square of the box. Make sure it’s centered and the edges of the balloons and confetti pieces don’t get bent when the box sides are folded up.

Glue the assembled "happy birthday" sentiment for the cardboard jumping box diagonally in the center on the outside of the box, with the elastic on the inside of the box

VARIATION: “Celebrate!” Sentiment

1. Lay the white base piece down on your work surface.

2. Apply craft glue to the back of one blue piece, avoiding the cutouts and the backs of the star areas.

3. Align the blue piece over the white base piece, then press down to adhere.

4. Without picking up the white base piece, repeat steps 1-3, attaching the other blue piece to the white piece.

5. Apply glue to the back of a star piece and adhere it to one of the blank blue or white star areas.

NOTE: There are eight smaller stars and eight larger stars.

6. Repeat step 5 for the remaining stars.

TIP: Use tweezers for easier placement.

7. Once the glue is dry, fold along the dashed lines, using your scraper for sharp creases.

8. Apply glue to the bottom of the assembled sentiment piece.

9. Place the sentiment piece diagonally across the top of the box, then press down to adhere while the glue dries.

Add the Finishing Touches

1. Cut a piece of elastic about 5” long.

2. Fold the elastic over into a loop, matching up the ends.

Fold a five inch piece of elastic in half to create a loop for the cardboard jumping box's lid

3. Insert the ends through the slot on the top of the lid piece.

Insert the loose ends of the elastic into the slot in the lid for the cardboard jumping box

4. Pull the elastic ends through about 1”.

Pull the loose ends of the elastic loop through the slot in the cardboard jumping box's lid so about an inch is visible on the inside

5. Put on your hot glue finger caps.

6. Use hot glue to secure the ends of the elastic into place on the underside of the lid, opposite from one another.

Hot glue the loose ends of the elastic inside the lid to complete the cardboard jumping box lid loop for opening the box

7. Grab eight washers.

NOTE: If you don't want the washers to be visible, you add them under the cardstock.

8. With the box on your work surface with the sentiment face out, and your finger caps still on, apply hot glue to a washer and attach it to the inside bottom corner of a panel.

TIP: If there’s a flatter side of the washer, apply the glue to that side for a smoother attachment.

Hot glue a metal washer into the bottom left corner of a panel on the inside of the assembled cardboard jumping box

9. Hot glue one more washer on the other bottom corner of the same box panel.

Hot glue a second metal washer into the bottom right corner of a panel on the inside of the assembled cardboard jumping box

10. Repeat steps 8-9 to add two washers to each of the other three box panels.

11. Once they’re dry, turn the box right side out, pulling the elastic tight, and add the lid to keep it shut.

Pull the sides up into a box shape with one hand and put the lid on top with the other to close the cardboard jumping box so it's ready to jump open

STEP 4: SHOW IT OFF!

Here is what my finished cardboard jumping box looks like!

The finished "Happy Birthday" cardboard jumping box with the lid off and sentiment showing and confetti scattered on the work surface below

Now you can surprise a friend or family member with a fun personalized box you made. To open it, just pull the lid straight upward quickly using the elastic loop. You can even add confetti inside before closing the box.

To store your box, put it in a larger box or container with the sentiment showing and the lid off so the elastic doesn’t get too stretched out.

Notes

Typeface Used: Crafty Font

Finished Size: Approximately 4" W x 3.75" H x 4" D when closed

Answers to Your Questions About How to Cut Cardboard with Cricut

Q: What blade cuts cardboard on Cricut?

A: I’ve cut cardboard with Cricut successfully using the Knife Blade on the Maker and Maker 3, and Deep Point Blade on all Explore series and Maker machines. Cardboard is easiest cut with the Knife Blade, but the Deep Point Blade is still a great option if you don’t have one, or if you have an Explore series machine (since the Knife Blade is not compatible with those). Be sure to follow the tutorial to get the right material settings and cut pressure settings — they may not be the settings you expect!

Q: Can Cricut Fine Point Blade cut cardboard? 

A: In my tests, I did not have success getting my Cricut Premium Fine-Point Blade to cut cardboard. However, there are two Cricut blades that work great for cutting cardboard: The Deep Point Blade and the Knife Blade. The Premium Fine Point blade can, however, cut a variety of materials like Kraft board (or cereal boxes), faux leather, adhesive removable or permanent vinyl, specialty vinyl, iron-on vinyl, and other materials of similar thickness. 

Q: What is the thickest material a Cricut can cut? 

A: You may be wondering, how thick of cardboard can Cricut Explore Air 2 cut? What about the Explore 3, or the Maker series machines? How thick of materials can they cut? According to Cricut, the Maker and Maker 3 are capable of cutting material with a maximum thickness of 3/32″ or 2.4mm, and the Explore is capable of cutting material up to 2mm. However, in my experience, each machine is different and there can be slight variances. To check if your material will fit into your Cricut, attach it to your machine mat, slide the star wheels in your machine all the way to the right, and attempt to slide the loaded mat under the bar in your machine, between the mat guides. If it fits, proceed with the cut. 

Q: How do you smooth out cardboard edges?

A: A great way to cover the rough edges of your cut cardboard with Cricut is to use washi tape or masking tape! In this project, I used coordinating washi tape to decorate the edges of the box flaps. It gives a really nice, polished look to your cardboard box. 

Q: What Cricut blade should I use for cardstock? 

A: The Cricut Fine Point Blade is my favorite blade for cutting cardstock and a long list of materials like most other paper projects, glitter cardstock, poster board, vinyl, and most other popular materials used in many craft projects. It’s versatile, comes standard with your Cricut machine, and gives the best results on these basic materials time and time again — especially when you keep your blade clean for a nice, clean cut!

Q: What is the Cricut Knife Blade for?

A: The Cricut Knife Blade is great for cutting dense, thick materials like any type of cardboard, cardboard boxes, thick cardstock, mat board, chipboard, leather, foam, and balsa wood. Just make sure your material fits underneath the bar on your cutting machine before attempting to cut it. 

Q: What Cricut materials use the Deep Point Blade?

A: The Cricut Deep Point blade and housing is great for cutting cardboard, thick cardstock, chipboard, magnet material, rubber sheets, foam sheets, and other thicker materials. Just make sure your material fits underneath the bar on your cutting machine before attempting to cut it. 

Q: Should I get a Knife Blade or Deep Point Blade for Cricut?

A: If you have medium-weight materials, the Deep Point Blade may be great for you. It’s compatible with the Maker and Explore series Cricut machines. It’s good for cutting more intricate designs, while the Knife Blade is better for cutting less intricate cuts into heavy-weight materials up to 2mm thick. It’s also only compatible with the Cricut Maker and Maker 3. Either blade works well to cut pieces for your cardboard jumping box. 

Get my free SVG files to make a Cardboard Jumping Box!


I’d love to see YOUR amazing cardboard jumping boxes and other projects when you learn how to cut cardboard with Cricut! Please share a photo in our Facebook group or on social media and tag me with #jennifermaker.

Love,

JenniferMaker.com

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Learn How to Cut Cardboard with Cricut in JenniferMaker's tutorial. Fun, multicolored cardboard jumping boxes scattered with confetti sit on a white surface with fun birthday balloons in the background.

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