Sharing is caring!

Turn a few Dollar Tree materials into a super cute Mini Wood Crate Light Box in just a few easy steps. This versatile craft project is easy, inexpensive, and a great way to decorate any time of year.

How to Turn a Dollar Tree Wood Crate into a Light Box

How to make a mini wood crate light box.

This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience.  Click here to read my full disclosure policy.

Why I love this craft

After finishing this craft, it quickly became one of my favorites. Not only was it easy to put together, but it’s also versatile. I can quickly see this becoming a craft for every season, holiday, and special occasion. Keep reading to see just how simple it is to make one of these light boxes for a space in your home.

Glue Mini String Lights Inside a Dollar Tree Mini Wood Crate

Benefits of crafting with mini wood crates.

I must say that the mini wood crates from Dollar Tree are one of my favorite materials to work with. Whether you are using a single one to create a light box or purchasing several to make a centerpiece, this supply gives you a good bang for your buck.

They are easy to paint, stain, seal, and even to drill into.

The inspiration for this craft:

Although I haven’t made a craft quite like this before, I have dabbled with creating decor that involved string fairy lights like this reverse canvas lantern. The concept is similar; however, instead of using stretched canvases for the frame, I used the mini crate and a piece of a cutting mat to create a shadow box look.

Supplies to Make a Mini Light Box

Video Tutorial: Mini Wood Crate Light Box

Watch this quick video to see how this craft came together:

DIY Mini Light Up Box for Spring
Farm fresh Flowers DIY Mini Light Box

Mini Wood Crate Light Box

Yield: 1 light box

Turn a mini wood crate from Dollar Tree into a super cute Mini Wood Crate Light Box in just a few easy steps, perfect for Spring crafting!

Materials

  • small wood crate (Dollar Tree)
  • fairy string lights (battery operated)
  • Americana gel stain (color: oak)
  • flexible cutting mat
  • rub on transfer (Dollar Tree)
  • twine

Tools

  • pin vice tool
  • 1" flat paint brush
  • fine point hot glue gun
  • toothpick
  • Sharpie marker
  • scissors
  • craft stick

Instructions

  1. Watch video. Follow along with the video tutorial for a step-by-step walkthrough on how to make your own mini wood crate light box.
  2. Make holes. Use a pin vice tool to create a hole in the corner on the bottom of the crate (watch the video to see how I did this).

    Make sure the string will fit through the hole you created.
  3. Stain the crate. Stain the outside and edges of the crate only (not the inside). Let it dry completely.
  4. Attach the lights. String the lights through the hole created in the bottom of the crate.
  5. Secure the lights. For even lights, turn them on and use small dabs of hot glue to attach the string evenly around the inside of the crate. I used a toothpick to secure each part.
  6. Create a cover. Trace and trim a piece of the flexible cutting mat. Be sure to cut inside of the marker line and continue trimming until the piece fits inside the edges on top of the crate.
  7. Attach the transfer decal. Use a craft stick to rub the transfer onto the mat surface.
  8. Assemble the crate. Attach the mat surface to the top of the crate using hot glue.
  9. Add embellishment. Add twine to the rim of the crate to cover (and decorate) the edges using hot glue. (Work your way around in small section using the smallest amounts of hot glue.)

The Finished Craft

Farm fresh Flowers DIY Mini Light Box

Don’t forget to PIN this craft for later:

Dollar Tree DIY Light Box
Dollar Store DIY Light Box

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *