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Star Wars Day!

Star Wars Day!
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Build and decorate a cardboard lightsaber and starfighter, then create a mini Star Wars parade to explore creativity and simple crafting skills.

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Step-by-step guide to Star Wars Day! — Build and decorate cardboard lightsabers and starfighters

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May the Fourth: Exploring the Origins and Celebrations of Star Wars Day

What you need
Adult supervision required, aluminium foil, cardboard sheet or empty cereal box, coloured tissue paper or cellophane, colouring materials, glue stick or white glue, paper towel tube, pencil and ruler, scissors, stickers or craft decorations, straw or chopstick, tape

Step 1

Gather all the materials and bring them to a clear workspace.

Step 2

Cut a rectangle of coloured tissue paper or cellophane about twice as long as the paper towel tube.

Step 3

Roll the coloured rectangle tightly around a pencil to form a blade tube.

Step 4

Tape along the seam of the blade tube so it does not unroll.

Step 5

Slide one end of the blade tube into the paper towel tube until it sits snugly.

Step 6

Tape the blade inside the paper towel tube to secure it.

Step 7

Wrap aluminium foil around the paper towel tube to make a shiny lightsaber hilt.

Step 8

Use colouring materials and stickers to add buttons and designs to the hilt.

Step 9

Draw a simple starfighter outline on the cardboard with your pencil.

Step 10

Cut out the starfighter shape from the cardboard along your pencil lines.

Step 11

Fold small tabs on the wings so the wings can stand up or bend into shape.

Step 12

Tape the wing tabs in place so the starfighter holds its shape.

Step 13

Decorate the starfighter with aluminium foil stickers and colouring materials to make it look galactic.

Step 14

Start your mini Star Wars parade by marching your starfighter and lightsaber around your play area.

Step 15

Share your finished creation on DIY.org

Final steps

You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!

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Help!?

What can we use if coloured tissue paper or cellophane is hard to find?

If coloured tissue paper or cellophane is hard to find, use a thin coloured plastic bag or wrapping paper cut to the same rectangle size and roll it around the pencil as the instructions say to make the blade tube.

My blade keeps unrolling or wobbles inside the paper towel tube — how do I fix that?

If the blade tube keeps unrolling or is loose in the paper towel tube, press the cellophane tighter around the pencil, add extra tape along the seam, and stick a small strip of tape inside the paper towel tube to hold the blade snugly as in the steps.

How can I adapt this activity for different ages?

For younger kids have an adult pre-cut the cardboard starfighter and pre-roll the blade tube so they can tape and decorate the hilt, while older kids can use a craft knife to shape wing tabs, add folded details, or install a small LED inside the paper towel tube for a glowing blade.

How can we make the lightsaber and starfighter more special or playable?

To personalize and extend the activity, add a battery-powered LED inside the blade tube, build matching props like a cardboard launch pad, and decorate with aluminium-foil 'stickers', markers, and extra buttons before starting your mini parade and sharing on DIY.org.

Watch videos on how to build and decorate cardboard lightsabers and starfighters for Star Wars Day

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How people are celebrating 'Star Wars Day'

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Facts about cardboard crafts for kids

⚔️ The lightsaber hum was created by sound designer Ben Burtt mixing a film projector motor and interference from a TV set.

🎉 'May the Fourth be with you' is celebrated worldwide as Star Wars Day, a fun reason to host mini parades and fan events.

📦 Corrugated cardboard is strong, lightweight, and recyclable, making it perfect for building pretend lightsabers and starfighters.

🎨 Crafting boosts fine motor skills, creativity, and problem-solving—every cut, fold, and sticker is a tiny engineering win.

🚀 The X-wing's name comes from its S-foils that open into an 'X' shape in attack position — a cool idea to copy with cardboard wings.

How do I run a Star Wars Day where kids build cardboard lightsabers and starfighters and stage a mini parade?

Set up a clear workspace with protective coverings. Pre-cut cardboard tubes and ship sections for starfighters or let kids trace and cut with help. Wrap tubes with colored paper or duct tape for lightsabers; add glow sticks or LED tape for light. Build starfighters by folding boxes, securing seams with tape or hot glue (adult only), then paint and decorate. When pieces are dry, rehearse a short parade route, play music, and let each child showcase their craft.

What materials do I need to build cardboard lightsabers and starfighters for a Star Wars Day parade?

You'll need sturdy cardboard (tubes or rolled sheets), small boxes for starfighters, scissors and safety scissors, a craft knife for adults, masking tape and duct tape, hot glue or strong craft glue (adult use), paints and brushes, colored paper, stickers, markers, craft foam, glow sticks or battery LED strips, elastic or string, optional wooden dowels for handles, and protective smocks and a drop cloth to keep the area tidy.

What ages is a cardboard lightsaber and starfighter craft suitable for?

This activity suits a wide range: ages 4–12 work well. Preschoolers (4–6) enjoy decorating and simple assembly with adult help and pre-cut pieces. School-age children (7–9) can cut, paint, and build with close supervision. Older kids (10–12) can design more complex starfighters and safely use tools with guidance. Adjust complexity, tools, and supervision to match each child's fine-motor skills and attention span.

How can I keep kids safe while making cardboard lightsabers and starfighters and during the parade?

Supervise all cutting and hot-glue use; reserve sharp tools for adults. Offer child-safe scissors, pre-cut pieces for younger kids, and low-temperature glue sticks. Pad edges of cardboard, avoid small parts for under-threes, and secure decorations so nothing detaches during the parade. Set clear parade rules (no running, maintain distance) and use soft foam or wrapped tubing for lightsaber blades to prevent injuries during play.
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