Make a No-Bake Bunny House

Yes, Easter is almost here! But, there's still plenty of time left to do a terrific craft project-one that's just as much fun to do as to have!

Even in these penny-pinching times, you shouldn't skimp on the fun. So, how about a low-cost (or almost no-cost) way to chase away those winter blues, and welcome spring?

Besides, it's always more fun to make than to buy. So, whether you do this as a family project, or just for yourself, you'll have a blast creating a one-of-a-kind holiday keepsake.

And, you won't need to be Bob the Builder to do it! Even if you're not into crafts, just follow the steps, and you won't believe how easy it is! (But, when you're done, your friends will think you're a genius!)

All "hopped" up? Then, get ready for a super-easy, step-by-step, no-hassle guide to making your very own NO-BAKE BUNNY HOUSE!

E-BUNNY'S IN THE HOUSE!

Your Bunny House will be a "cookie house", like a Christmas gingerbread house. Only, yours will be decorated for Easter-and, you won't have to bake a thing!

All you'll need are some 'found' materials, a few items from the fridge or grocery store, and some simple tools and craft supplies, most of which you'll have around the house. But, the main ingredient is fun--so, get ready to really stretch your imagination, and create something that's all your own!

The path to your Bunny dream house is easy: just follow the guide. But, remember, the most important rule is to make every step in preparing, building, and decorating it the most fun you can possibly have!

So, let's get started with a few quick tips:

1) Read through this guide once, then follow along and do the steps.

2) Don't skip ANYTHING!! Each step builds on the previous ones, giving you a strong house that you'll enjoy for a long time. Skip a step, and your house might fall down!

3) Do each step the best you can. Don't get all hung up on making things perfect--where's the fun in that? But, if a step doesn't turn out right, don't stress; just go back and do it again. (I'll give you lots of tips to help with this as we go along.)

4) Kids, ask an adult to help with ANY step that calls for cutting, spraying, or operating machinery such as a kitchen mixer. Adults, be sure to do all these steps with caution. (Again, I'll give you lots of tips to help.)

5) Before you start, print out a copy of this guide, so you'll have it handy as you work, and because you'll need the included templates (I'll explain later) to make your house.

Easy enough? Then, let's go!

THE PREP WORK: HUNTING FOR MORE THAN EASTER EGGS!

Every good project starts with prep work-like finding the stuff you'll need, and setting up a work area. So, you'll do these things first.

Your Bunny Hunt List

Most of the thrill in making your Bunny House will be the "thrill of the hunt"-the thrill of finding just the right stuff that you'll need. So, here's a short list of "must-haves."

You will need:

• A piece of Styrofoam for a base

• A cardboard box or two, and some light cardboard

• Royal Icing

• Decorations

• Nice-to-Haves (optional things such as tea lights)

Pretty basic, right? Now, let's go over each item on the list in detail.

First Base: Selecting a (Styrofoam) Foundation for Your House

Light-but-study Styrofoam packaging makes the perfect base for cookie houses: strong enough to support your house, yet soft enough not to scratch tabletops. So, begin your hunt by finding the perfect piece.

If you've tossed out all the packaging at home, then ask your friendly local retailer if you can paw through their discards (this is also a great place to find other supplies, which I'll get to in a minute). You'll want the cleanest stuff, so skip the grocery store, and try your local pet store, book shop, or office supply store.

Look for a flat white piece of Styrofoam about the thickness of a fat paperback book, and about the surface area of a piece of folded-up newspaper. (TIP: Bring along a sheet of newspaper for easy measuring). Choose carefully, because thin pieces may not bear the weight of your house, and smaller pieces won't give you much room to landscape (your completed Bunny House will be about the size of a Happy Meal box).

If you find a piece that's a bit too big, fine-you can always cut it down to size at home. But, if you'd like Mr. Bunny to have a really big front yard, or even a pool, then, by all means, go bigger! Leave plenty of room to create jellybean sidewalks, pretzel-stick play yards, or whatever you can dream up! Hey-Mr. Bunny's been good to you all these years, so why not give him a house with real style?

This Old (Cookie) House: Skip the Baking, and 'Go Cardboard'!

Most traditional cookie houses are, of course, built of cookie-sheets of gingerbread dough which have been baked and cut specially for that purpose. But, since we're making things super-easy, we'll be using cardboard to make our walls and roof instead.

So, while you're poking around for your Styrofoam base, look also for a brown cardboard box or two, from which you'll be cutting your house pieces. (It's good to have at least a couple of boxes, so you'll have plenty of cardboard on hand to build your house and to protect your work area.) If you like, also look for a small box or two to keep your decorations in.

Your "cookie cardboard" should be of at least medium thickness. How to tell? Use the Goldilocks Rule: Not too heavy (like the boxes used to ship TVs) and not too light (like departments store gift boxes, which will warp under the weight of your decorations). (TIP: Check out what was actually shipped in the box; if it was used to ship things of medium weight, such as books or videos, then you're good to go.)

Choose clean boxes that have that nice, brown, smooth "cookie" look. Stay away from boxes with lots of labels or printing, and those on which the corrugated 'lines' have started to pop through.

Got your boxes? Then look for a sheet of light cardboard, about the size of a poster board. Nothing fancy-you'll be using this in the construction process, then tossing it. So, old gift boxes or leftovers from school projects are fine.

Stick Around: Royal Icing

Sounds fancy, but it's just frosting! Yep, Royal Icing is that snow-like stuff that's used to decorate cookie houses. But, since yours will be an Easter house, you don't have to stick with white! If you want icing in all those pretty Easter egg colors, you can get them with just a few drops of food coloring.

Why use real icing on a cardboard house? Because nothing looks quite like the real thing to give your house that authentic "cookie house" look! Craft products like paint and plastic just don't do it.

To make your icing, you'll need just three ingredients: egg whites, powdered sugar, and cream of tartar. If you don't have these at home, most stores have holiday sales on baking supplies--so, shop around for the best prices.

Creativity Overload: Decorations!

Now, here's where the fun really gets intense! This is where you go on a serious hunt for all the things you'll need to decorate your Bunny House, such as candy, cereal, crackers, fruit roll-ups-anything that looks to you like construction material!

But, there's no limit as to what you can use! Since your house will be made of cardboard, you won't be eating it, anyway. So, think way, way beyond edible stuff to all the wonderful things you can use to decorate-like tiny figurines and toys, glitter and glitter glue, beads, ribbons, sequins-you name it!

Sure, you'll want some Easter candy to make your house look Easter-y, such as jelly beans and candy eggs. (But, buy the cheaper kind, and save the good stuff to eat!) A word about candy: "soft" stuff, such as jelly beans, will not last as long as the harder stuff, such as starlight mints. That doesn't mean you can't use it, but when you're choosing candy, remember that the sugar in the softer candy might look a little dull after you've had your house for a while. (TIP: Find "fake" candy, if you can, as it will keep looking great for a long time!)

Wait before you shop, though, and start your search for decorations at home, because most houses are a treasure trove of unused stuff! Search through those drawers and boxes, and even in the recycle bin for tossed-out stuff. (TIP: Use the cap from a fabric softener bottle to make the base of a wishing well. Or, glue on a twist-tie handle to make a cute Easter basket!)

Yes, there's also no limit as to how you can use your stuff! Let your imagination guide you as you build, or pick a theme and build around it. Like, how about a surfer-dude house, with a thatched roof make from mini-wheat cereal, and lots of little surfboards propped up against the walls? Or, you could throw a Bunny House party, and invite the Smurfs, Mickey and Minnie, and Stitch for a backyard barbeque!

To get your ideas on, visit a craft store, or check out some craft books at your local library. Then, take out paper and pencils, and sketch your own designs!

If you've a little, or a lot to spend, some great places to find decorations and supplies are:

• Retailers (such as grocery stores, Target, or Walgreens)

• Dollar and discount stores (like Dollar General or Big Lots)

• Craft and hobby stores (such as Michaels or Hobby Lobby)

• Thrift stores (great places, since your money goes to help people)

But, that's just a start-keep your eyes open wherever you shop! And, try lots of places you wouldn't think to look, like gas stations, Christian stores, gumball machines, and restaurants. Also, watch for early yard sales, or help your friends go through the junk in their garages.

But, wherever you look, be sure to get into the thrill of the hunt, and celebrate your every find!

Little Extras: Nice-to-Haves

Now, if you want to get really fancy, pick up some tea lights to use to light your house (I'll show you how later). Or, find some tiny lights to string on your roof, or even a small music box to wind up and put inside. You might even get Mr. Bunny a nice new ride to park on his chocolate-bar driveway! But, remember, these are extras and not 'must-haves'.

Okay! Now that we've got a better idea of what you need, let's make our Bunny Hunt List!

MY BUNNY HUNT LIST

1) Styrofoam piece

2) One or two cardboard boxes and some light cardboard

3) Royal Icing Ingredients: 8 eggs, a 0.6 oz. container of Cream of Tartar (look in the spice section in the baking aisle of your local market) and 3 ½ lbs. of powdered sugar (also known as confectioners sugar)

4) Decorations

5) Any Nice-to-Haves

You will also need to find or buy the following supplies:

• Clear acrylic craft sealer in matte finish (about $5 for a small can at craft stores)

• Paint or craft brushes, large and small

• Craft glue or Elmers Glue

• Pencil or felt-tip pen

• Scissors (heavy ones, not kids' scissors)

• Straight pins or dressmaker pins

• Serrated bread knife and paring knife

• Hand or stand mixer

• Large mixing bowl, and some smaller bowls

• Spatula and mixing spoons (wooden spoons are best)

• Measuring cup and spoons

• 4 full cereal boxes (or rice or other kitchen products)

• Trash can, or bag for trash, and paper towels for spills

• Plenty of newspaper

• X-acto knife or box cutter (optional)

• Food coloring (optional)

• Small plastic bags (optional)

• Plastic gloves and apron (optional)

Make a nice, clean copy of your list, and check each item off as you find it. (The Decorations will take the most time, although you can never have enough of those!)

Your Work Area

Wow! You've got all your stuff, and you're ready to put it all together! But, all good builders know that to make a job go as smoothly as possible, you've got to have a nice work area. So, our next step will be to set one up.

Choose an area where you can really spread out all your stuff, and where it won't be disturbed, since you won't be doing all your building steps in one day. This area can be a big table in the corner of a room, or a large counter top, or even some big boxes covered with a flat cardboard box as a work space. And, whether you're building alone, or with others, make sure there's comfy seating that's tall enough to let you reach for things.

If there are small kids or pets in your house, pick a room with a door. Sugar products like candy and icing can attract them, and they might mess with (or swallow) your tiny treasures! If there's no door, then make sure everything is kept well out of reach of pets and kids.

Cover the top of your work area with plenty of newspapers or spare cardboard, and some on your floor if you need to protect that. (Plastic is not recommended, since it tends to pull and tear as you walk on it.) Make sure there's plenty of lighting, and good ventilation, like a window you can open, or a fan, since we will be using glue. You might also want to keep some plastic gloves an apron nearby, so you won't mess up your clothes or get stuff on your hands.

Have something to put your trash in, like a trash can or paper bag, and paper towels for spills. (TIP: Clean up after you do each step, so there's not a huge clean-up job at the end!) Also, if you can, have a radio or CD player nearby, to play some lively music to cheer you as you work!

UNDER CONSTRUCTION: BUILDING YOUR BUNNY HOUSE

Work area ready? Hurray! We're ready to build! So, here's the rundown on the plans: you'll start by preparing your house's foundation, or base, then cut out your pieces and practice assembling them. Then, you'll glue it all together, and prepare your house for decorating.

Base Camp: Preparing Your Base

Forthis step, you will need:

Your Styrofoam piece

Serrated bread knife

Using your bread knife, cut your piece to the desired size. Then, trim, so that the all edges and surfaces are smooth, especially the bottom. (Adults should do the cutting, taking care always to cut away from themselves.) Your piece should now resemble a kitchen cutting board.

That's it-you're done! Just set your base to the side for later.

Piece Work: Cutting Out Your House Pieces

For this step, you will need:

Cardboard box or boxes and light cardboard

Craft glue

Pencil or felt-tip pen

Scissors

Straight pins

Paring knife (or optional X-acto knife or box cutter)

Let's start cutting the pieces for your Bunny House! First, you'll mount your templates, or pattern pieces on light cardboard for ease of use. Next, you'll use your templates to trace your house pieces onto your "cookie cardboard". Next step is cutting out your pieces, and making sure they fit together before you glue. Then, you'll finish by sketching the outline of your house onto your base to make the gluing process a snap.

So, start by grabbing a cardboard box, and breaking it down until it lays flat on your work area, with the nicest and "brownest" side down. Cover your box with newspaper to protect it while you work.

Time to mount the templates! Take the template sheets you printed along with this guide, and using scissors, cut the pieces out. (Adults, do the cutting, since these are not kids' scissors.) When you're done, you should have four pieces:a small side, a front, a back with chimney, and a large roof piece.

Next, take your light cardboard, and lay it on your work area. Take a template, and, using craft glue, apply a light coat of glue. Then, glue the template to the cardboard, smoothing it down. Mop up excess glue with paper towels. Do this with all your templates.

Wait a couple of minutes for the glue to dry, and then, using scissors, carefully cut out all your templates again.

Done? Now, it's tracing time! So, toss your newspaper, and grab your pencil or marker for some practice. Lay one template on your "cookie cardboard," and, holding the template steady with one hand, slowly trace the outline of the template on the cardboard.

Looks good? Then "x" out your practice piece.Using your templates, trace two small sides, two of the roof pieces, and just one each of the front and back walls. (TIP: Don't glue the templates to the cookie cardboard; this will make your pieces too thick to cut out.) You should have six pieces when you're done.

Using scissors, carefully cut out your house pieces, and trim any ragged edges. (TIP: Don't cut away too much, or your pieces may not fit.)

Now's the time to cut a door and windows, if you want them. Lay the front piece down, and using pencil or marker, lightly sketch the kind of door you want. Then, using your paring knife or optional X-acto knife or box cutter, carefully cut along the lines. Remove the excess cardboard. Use the same process to cut windows on the small side pieces.

Terrific! Now, you'll practice putting your house together. Open your box of straight pins, and using them like big nails, gently pin the pieces of your house together. A good way is to do one of the sides and the front piece first, then add the other side, the back wall, and the roof last. (TIP: Don't use too many pins, as they might tear your house.)

Now, set the house down on your work area, and give it a good look. Do all the pieces fit together snugly? If not, take your house apart, and use scissors to trim any misfit pieces. Is there one piece that really doesn't fit? That's the one you'll need to remake, so grab its template, and cut another one to replace it.

When your house looks great, you're ready to trace the outline of it on your base; you'll use this outline to glue down your house pieces.

To do this, grab your Styrofoam base, and lay it as flat as you can on your work area. Center your house in the middle of the base. Pick up your pencil or marker, and lightly trace the outline of the base of your house onto the Styrofoam.

Now, gently remove the pins from your house pieces. You're all set to start gluing!

Raising the Roof: Gluing Your House Together

For this step, you will need:

Your Styrofoam base

Your cut-out house pieces

Craft glue

4 full cereal boxes (or rice or other kitchen products)

Acrylic sealer

Newspapers

You're ready to glue your house to its base, then give it a nice "sealcoating" for protection!

You might be wondering why you'll be gluing your house together, rather than using Royal Icing. You'll do that because glue holds cardboard together better than icing. (Don't worry about how the glue looks; you'll reinforce the seams of your house with icing later, giving it that authentic "cookie house" look!

Start by taking your Styrofoam base, and laying it as flat as you can on your work area. Then, grab house pieces and craft glue. When gluing down your pieces, use the nicest side of the cardboard, not the one with the tracing lines on them.

Take a side piece, and apply a thin string of glue on all the seams. (TIP: Use about the thickness of glue you'd use to write on a birthday cake. Don't squeeze glue out like toothpaste!) Hold the piece from the center, and, using the guide lines you traced on the base, glue the piece in place. Hold it up for a minute or two, until the glue starts to dry, and the piece can stand on its own.

Next, take your front piece, apply glue, then glue it in place, attaching it to the standing side piece.

Got the idea? Repeat the process with the other side wall, the back wall, and then do the roof pieces last. Use paper towels to clean up any drips. (TIP: If glue looks uneven , don't worry-you can cover it up with icing and decorations later.)

Take your cereal boxes, and gently set them against the sides of your house, taking care not to push any pieces loose. Open your window, or put on your fan, and let your house dry for at least 4-5 hours.

Now, it's time for the touch test! Remove the boxes, and gently touch the pieces of your house. Does the glue feel dry? Does anything feel shaky? Does the roof seem secure? If anything is loose, apply more craft glue, replace the boxes, and repeat the drying time.

When your house passes a final touch test, you're all done gluing. Time to "sealcoat" your house, to prep it for decorating!

To do the sealing, you'll need to carry your house and base to a well-ventilated area, such as an open garage or patio. Bring along your can of acrylic sealer, and plenty of newspaper.

Spread out your papers on the ground, and set your house and base on them. Using the sealer, give your house and base a light, thorough coat. Use a smooth, side-to-side motion, and be sure to cover every part of your house. (Adults, follow instructions on product. Do not inhale, and keep kids and pets out of spraying area.) Let everything dry for at least 15 minutes, then repeat the process.

When you're done, toss your newspaper, and bring your house and base back to your work area.

Your house is now ready to decorate!

DESIGN, DECORATE, DISPLAY: MAKING YOUR MASTERPIECE!

Before you get down to decorating, you'll need to mix up the "cement" that will hold everything together: Royal Icing! Then, using the icing and your decorations, you'll make your dream house take shape!

Cement Mixin': Making Royal Icing

For this step, you will need:

8 egg whites

8 tsp. Cream of Tartar

3 ½ lbs. Powdered or Confectioners sugar

Hand or stand mixer

Large mixing bowl, and some smaller bowls

Spatula and mixing spoons

Measuring cups and spoons

Paper towels

Food coloring (optional)

Small plastic bags (optional)

Okay, we're relocating again--this time it's to the kitchen, to make your icing!

Start by separating the eggs into small bowls, saving the yolks for later. (TIP: Use real eggs, as Egg Beaters or other liquid egg products won't make your icing fluffy.) Put the egg whites into the large mixing bowl.

Then, using the whip attachment on your mixer, slowly start to beat the egg whites, then add the Cream of Tartar gradually. (Adults, stop the mixer every few minutes to scrape the sides of the bowl with the spatula.) Next, begin to add the powdered sugar. No need to sift--just shake it in to take out any lumps. (TIP: Do not attempt to mix by hand, as your icing will not be as fluffy.)

When everything is mixed, your icing should have that "birthday cake" look. If it still looks soft or "runny", add a bit more sugar; if it seems dry, add a couple of drops of water.

Your icing is ready to use when it passes the finger test: place some icing between your thumb and forefinger, then pull them apart. If the icing left on each finger is stiff and pointy, your icing is done!

Now's the time to color your icing, if you want. Put some icing in a smaller bowl, add a couple of drops of food coloring, and stir with spoon. (TIP: For deeper colors, add more food coloring and stir, until the desired tint is reached.) Repeat this process for as many colors as you'd like!

As you work with your icing, keep a damp paper towel over the bowl (but, don't let the towel touch the icing). Royal Icing will start to dry fairly quickly as you use it. If you don't finish decorating all at once, you can keep your icing in the fridge until the next day; just make sure it's in a covered container, from which you can remove most of the air, like Tupperware. (To store your icing for more than a day, put it in sealed plastic bags, taking care to remove all the air first.)

Icing's done? At last-we're ready to decorate!

Your Masterpiece: Decorating Your House

For this step, you will need:

Your house and base

Decorations

Royal Icing

Craft or paint brushes, large or small

Scissors

Small plastic bags (optional)

Okay-time to create your one-of-a-kind Bunny House! First, if you're Royal Icing's in the fridge, take it out, and let it come to room temperature before you use it. And, before you start, make sure your house and base are laying as flat as can be on your work area.

To decorate, it's best to start with your house, first by reinforcing the seams and the base of the house with icing. Apply with a brush, or, for best results, make a mini pastry bag, and "pipe" the icing on for that "cookie house" look!

Making a bag's a snap; just put some icing in a small plastic bag, twist the top, and, using scissors, snip off a corner of the bag. (Adults, when cutting, remember that larger holes make larger ribbons of icing, and vice-versa.) To use, hold the bag with one hand, and use the other to twist the bag, forcing the icing out. (TIP: Practice on a piece of scrap cardboard until you've got the hang of it.)

Some other ways to use icing are:

• Apply to large areas, like front lawns or back yards, with a spatula

• Use small brushes to trim windows and doors, or to create "dot" effects on walls

• Use fat brush to make a driveway or sidewalk

• Use as "glue" to attach decorations

If you're lighting your house with tea lights, here's how to do it: using your pencil or marker, poke a pencil-sized hole in the back wall of your house, in a spot that's even with your door. Then, slip the "flame" of your tea light through the hole. Switch the light on any time for added effect, and don't forget to dim the room lights! (Adults, make sure all lighting effects are shut off when house is not in use.)

When you're all done decorating, allow your house to dry at least 48 hours before moving it.

That's it! You're done! You're now the proud owner of your very own Bunny House!

CARE AND HANDLING OF YOUR HOUSE

• If you handle your house with care, it can last up to 3-5 years. So, be sure to follow these tips:

• Display your house on a high table, the better to see it and to prevent breakage.

• Remember, your house isn't meant for eating-so, be sure to warn your guests, or post a sign!

• Keep your house out of reach of pets or small children

• Keep your house away from heat sources, direct sunlight, and humidity

• Repair any breakage with craft glue (easier than making icing!)

• Store in a large plastic bag, taking care not to snag any part of your house. Remove any light sets before storing. Tie the bag closed, and store in a cool, dry place, like a closet shelf. (Avoid garages due to danger of insects or rodents.)

• When you decide to dismantle your house, first soak everything in warm water until the icing dissolves. You can then save any figurines before disposing of the rest.

If you plan to give your house as a gift, include a copy of these care tips!

Well, that's the game plan for creating your very own No-Bake Bunny House!