Who doesn’t love a taco stand? I love them, and I bet you do too. So here’s how to make your own taco/frozen banana/other favorite food stand complete with a cheerful awning over the window. Start with either the Original Mac&Cheese House or the Three Minute House and add the easy modification below. You’ll be opening your own artisan donut chain in no time!

• Fun to make out of any empty box

• Infinite ways to decorate and play

• Play can include other toys, like figures and cars

• Own your own small business in minutes

These are a hit in my craft workshops. There really is something special about a taco stand!

Steps At a Glance:

Ready? Here’s how:

1

You’ll need:

• an unassembled house, made with either the Original Mac&Cheese House or the Universal House Maker

• Craft knife

• Pencil

2

On one of the main panels of your house, draw a rectangle for the ordering window. The bottom of the window can be at about the middle of the box.

For a simple awning draw a plain rectangle.

For an awning with a lip at the edge, draw an extra line about 1/2” up from the bottom of the rectangle.

3

Cut the sides and bottom of the rectangle with the craft knife (this is a job for grownups). Safety tips: Be sure to put an extra box or something under the cutting area to protect the surface, and keep your fingers out of the path of the blade.

Scoring the fold line will make it fold neatly. It’s simple: just run the craft knife along the top of the rectangle, and along the extra line for the lip if you have one. Use very light pressure on the blade so it only cuts the very top layer of paper fibers.

4

Pop out the awning and fold it upwards. If you made a lip fold that downwards. Then put the house together following the rest of the directions in the post you started with.

Or, you can decorate your stand now, before you put it together.

And there’s your taco stand!

See below for even more ideas to get you started creating your very own.

and try this:

Special Windows

You can add a smaller window anywhere. These stands have extra windows up high, down low, on the back, and at the side. Bet you’ll come up with your own ideas.

Big Donut

…or hot dog, or artichoke, or anything. Cut out a shape from another box and decorate. With sturdy scissors cut into the peak of the roof to make a slot for the cutout. Or just tape it onto your stand.

Thank you for reading! If you have questions, please drop me a line.