- 1). Find cardboard boxes to construct your fake fireplace. You will need two square boxes, approximately two feet wide and four feet high and another four foot by five inch flat, rectangular box for the mantel. Purchase boxes at a postal packaging store or look for free boxes at local retail stores. For example, a mantel-shaped box may be available at an instrument store that ships guitars. Find a craft store that sells paper on large rolls and purchase a piece of white paper at least three feet in length and four feet high.
- 2). Paint the boxes with white spray paint. Wear a mask to avoid breathing paint fumes and allow the boxes to dry. To build the fireplace the two square boxes will be placed on either side of the mantel box in an arch formation. (reference 2) Measure the length of the mantel box and the height of the side boxes to cut a piece of the rolled paper to form the back.
- 3). Simulate bricks by cutting brick-sized pieces of red construction paper to glue onto the boxes and the paper. If you use glue sticks, even younger children can help. Glue on bricks until you have covered both the inside and outside of the fireplace, excluding the mantel. Place the square, brick-covered boxes side by side with the mantel box across the top. (reference 2) Use clear packing tape to tape the boxes together. Take the brick-covered piece of paper and tape it across the back of the arch opening, with the brick pattern facing the front.
- 4). Make a fake fire. Make a flame-shaped drawing on a piece of white paper and cut it out with scissors. Draw around the flame shapes with glue and have the kids help you sprinkle the glue with red, orange and gold glitter. BellaOnline.com suggests using a glitter tray for each color. (reference 1) Glitter trays are plastic trays with a spout at the corner that allows you to shake off excess glitter back into the container for later use. (reference 1) Let the glue dry and then glue the fire to the back of the fireplace.