Unknown Attacks
Design and build a cardboard fortress, then test it against surprise attacks using soft balls to learn about structure and defense strategies.
Step-by-step guide to build a cardboard fortress (Unknown Attacks)
Step 1
Pick a flat spot on the floor or outside and clear away toys and pillows.
Step 2
Draw a simple plan of your fortress on paper showing where the walls and door will go.
Step 3
Bring all your cardboard and tape to your building spot.
Step 4
Use the ruler to measure the size you want for the base and walls.
Step 5
Draw straight cut lines on the cardboard with the marker where you measured.
Step 6
Cut out the cardboard pieces along the lines (ask an adult for help if you use a craft knife).
Step 7
Tape the walls to the base to stand your fortress up.
Step 8
Add extra tape to each corner and seam to make the fortress stronger.
Step 9
Cut a small door or slit in a wall for defenders to peek through.
Step 10
Decorate the outside with colouring materials and a cool name for your fortress.
Step 11
Mark a throw line on the floor a few big steps away from the fortress.
Step 12
Ask a helper to perform surprise attacks by tossing soft balls from behind the line.
Step 13
Find one weak spot from the test and reinforce it with more cardboard or tape.
Step 14
Take a photo or write about your fortress and 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!
Help!?
What can we use if we don't have cardboard, a ruler, or soft balls?
Use cereal boxes or shoe boxes instead of large cardboard, a straight book or yardstick in place of the ruler, rolled socks or crumpled paper for soft balls, and scissors instead of a craft knife while keeping an adult nearby for cutting.
My walls keep falling over during the surprise attacks—what should I try?
Re-tape the walls to the base and add extra tape to each corner and seam as the instructions say, then reinforce the weak spot you find during testing with more cardboard or tape.
How can I adapt the project for younger or older kids?
For younger children, pick a flat spot and have an adult draw the fortress plan and pre-cut the cardboard so they can decorate with crayons and stickers, while older kids can use the ruler to measure and draw straight cut lines, use a craft knife with supervision for precise cuts, add rooms or towers, and document the fortress to share on DIY.org.
What are simple ways to make the fortress stronger or more exciting after it's built?
Add a taped-on roof or turret from extra cardboard, create a flag with marker and a stick, strengthen corners and seams with more tape, set up target zones and a scoring system at the marked throw line, and personalize decorations before taking the photo or writing your DIY.org post.
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Facts about building and structural engineering for kids
📦 Corrugated cardboard (the wavy middle layer) was invented in the 1800s and is much stronger than flat cardboard.
💡 In 2014 builders made a nearly 37-meter (121 ft) cardboard tower in Milan, proving cardboard can be impressively sturdy!
🏰 Medieval castles used layered defenses (outer wall, inner wall, towers) — layering helps stops attackers in stages.
🎯 Soft foam balls absorb energy on impact — counting how many hits your fort survives teaches about protection and energy dissipation.
🏗️ Triangles and arches spread out force, so adding triangular braces makes cardboard walls far tougher.
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