How to Make a Donkey Out of Cardboard

How to Make a Donkey Out of Cardboard
Published: Jul 28, 2011
Updated: Feb 23, 2021
2 minute read

Making a donkey out of cardboard will not be difficult with only one key material (and a few more for decoration). A cardboard donkey could be used for the popular party game Pin the Tail on the Donkey, for a nativity scene or as a decorative object for any occasion. Give your donkey color and character by painting it and drawing on facial features, and add a tail.

Things You'll Need:

Things You Will Need

  • Black String
  • Sheets Of Newspaper
  • Large Sheets Of Paper
  • Pencil
  • Scissors Or Knife And Cutting Mat
  • Sheet Of Cardboard (Size Depends On How Big You Want Donkey To Be)
  • Paint
  • Glue
  • Find an image of a donkey to help you get the correct shape for the outline. Look online and expand on a photocopier if required.

    Cut out the donkey shape using scissors. Don't cut around the tail (you can add this later). Place the cutout paper donkey shape onto your sheet of cardboard and draw around it with a pencil.

    Cut around the donkey shape on the cardboard using a craft knife on a cutting mat (or using good sharp scissors if you do not have a craft knife). Lay your donkey cardboard shape on a sheet of newspaper.

    Paint the front of your donkey and allow it to dry before painting over the base color with features such as the eyes, nose, inside of the ears and hooves. Make a cartoon-like donkey by exaggerating the size of the facial features.

    Cut several pieces of black string all to the same length to form the donkey's tail. The length should reach from the donkey's bottom nearly to the feet. Turn the donkey over and glue the black string to the back of the cardboard where the tail should sit. Turn your donkey back around and trim any excess on the tail.

    Warnings:

    • Always cut away from your body when using a knife and cutting mat.

    Tips

    To make the donkey stand up, cut a piece of cardboard approximately three inches thick and two inches taller than your donkey. Fold the cardboard down two inches at the top and stick this flap to the back of your donkey using glue. Adjust to prop the donkey up depending on the desired angle.

    Warnings

    Always cut away from your body when using a knife and cutting mat.

    Scarlett Fields

    Scarlett Fields began writing professionally in 2007. She has worked for a TV shopping channel in England producing advertising and promotional copy for clients such as Sony and Virgin. Fields also has copywriting experience and has…

    Sponsored
    Our Pastimes Logo

    A destination for the avid collector and weekend hobbyist alike, Our Pastimes features articles and tips about your favorite cards and games, hobbies and more.

    Property of TechnologyAdvice. © 2026 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

    Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.