Shoeboxes are the ideal shape for the boxcars in a cardboard train. The boxes should be connected together by either simply gluing them or creating links out of pipe cleaners. Keep the tops boxes attached. The front of the train, where the conductor box is located, should have two stacked shoeboxes. You can create cardboard cutouts for tracks, wheels, the steam engine and pipes. You can paint over or color the boxes as well, potentially giving the craft even more life.
A shoebox can be used for a bird nest by simply making a few cuts and adding cardboard to the exterior. If you're looking to attract a nesting bird, you'll need to make a hole in the side that is larger than the bird you're seeking to attract. After filling the box with the proper supplies like sticks and leaves for its nest, create camouflage by gluing cardboard pieces that appear similar to the surrounding environment. For example, if you're placing the nest in an area where there are deciduous trees, cut the cardboard into thin, long pieces that resemble branches and twigs, and if you're talented -- leaves. Color the shoebox and its cardboard attachments to match the surrounding environment.
To bring the rustic feel of a log cabin into your home, all you need is a shoebox and cardboard. The shoebox, with its top, serves as the cabin while cardboard can be cut into pieces that resemble a chimney, window frames and steps. Simply glue the parts onto the shoebox and paint or color.
To create a dollhouse, you'll need four shoeboxes and cardboard. Stack two sets of shoeboxes on top of each other and join them, creating a rectangle of four shoeboxes. To create a pitched roof, you'll need to cut cardboard into rectangles, gluing two pieces together at the desired angle for the top of the structure. Use other cardboard pieces to fill in the front part of the roof where the cardboard and shoeboxes don't meet. Cut holes in the shoeboxes for doors, and cut out window-frames, patios, steps and a chimney from cardboard pieces as well.