Make a paper house

This resource is a fantastic opportunity to dive into the basics of architectural design while having a ton of fun. You will be challenged to think like architects, problem-solve, and put your artistic skills to the test. As you work through this project, you will learn about the structural aspects of building and gain insight into how architects consider functionality and aesthetics in their designs.

Activity: Make a four-room paper house

This activity is one of a set of free STEM resources designed to allow learners to use seasonal themes to support the delivery of key topics within design and technology, and engineering. This resource is part of a group for the Summer that could be carried out either in school or at home. It is designed for KS3 students but would also be suitable for other year groups.

In this activity, learners will design, make, and assemble a 3D pop-up paper house with four rooms.

This activity could be used as a main lesson activity to teach learners about the design of folding structures using graphic materials; alternatively, it could be used as an introduction to designing for a client, where the learners could be given a target group such as wheelchair users or a young family. This could also be used as one of several activities within a wider scheme of learning focussing on structures and Design for Living.

How long will this activity take?

This activity will take approximately 60 - 90 minutes to complete. Download the free activity sheet and teacher presentation to get started, or download the family activity sheet for a step-by-step guide on how to complete this activity at home.

Suggested learning outcomes

By the end of this activity, students will know how paper can be shaped into a folding structure stronger than the original material, and they will understand how to design for living and a client.

The engineering context

Scale models are a great way for architects to see how their designs will look. They can also be used to test the functionality of the design, such as how people will move through the space. Architects can improve the design by making changes to the scale model until they are happy with it.

Making three-dimensional items from paper and card is a valuable skill for engineers. This skill can be used to create functional and attractive packaging. Food packaging needs to protect the food inside, but it also needs to be eye-catching so that people will be drawn to it. Using paper and card, engineers can create packaging that meets both requirements.

Download the free activity sheet below!

All activity sheets and supporting resources are free to download, and all the documents are fully editable so that you can tailor them to your students and your schools’ needs.

The activity sheet includes teacher notes, guidance, helpful web links, and links (where appropriate) to the national curriculum in the four devolved UK nations: England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

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