How to Make a Cardboard Harp ?

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Make your own budget-friendly, recyclable string instrument with our easy Cardboard Harp tutorial. This fun craft produces real sound, just like a store-bought toy!

With our step-by-step instructions, pictures, and video, you can craft a harp or tweak the shape to create any Cardboard String Instrument your child loves.

Plus, I’ve included a Downloadable Harp Template to make the process even easier.

I originally made this when my child was two, inspired by a toy guitar from a shop. Over the years, this has become one of the most popular DIYs on our blog! Many readers have even used it to create David’s harp for drama performances.

Ready to make your own? Let’s get started!

What is a Harp?

A harp is a string instrument with parallel strings that are played by plucking with fingers. These instruments typically range from 2 to 6 feet in height and are widely used in orchestras and folk music.

Fascinating Facts About Harps

The harp is the second-largest stringed instrument in an orchestra (after the double bass).

The harp is the national symbol of Ireland.
Even beginners can create beautiful music right away—every note sounds pleasant!

Things needed to make a Cardboard Harp

You only need a few basic materials, most of which you probably already have at home:

Thick cardboard
Rubber bands
32mm screws and a hammer
Cutter
Cutting mat
Scissors
Harp Template (Download it at the end of the post)
Acrylic paint and a Fine marker pens (optional for decoration)

Watch the Video Tutorial on how to make a Cardboard Harp

See how to assemble the harp and hear how it sounds!

Read on to see step-by-step instructions along with pictures.

Directions to Make a DIY Cardboard Harp?

With this tutorial and the free harp template, you can make a 20 cm harp—perfect for little hands to play with and carry around. You can also scale it up to make a larger version!

Step 1: Cut the Cardboard Pieces

Download and print the harp template.
Place the template on thick cardboard, trace the outline, and cut it out using a cutter (use a cutting mat for safety).
Cut multiple identical pieces depending on the thickness of your cardboard and the length of the screws.

How Many Pieces of Cardboard Do You Need?

The combined thickness of the cardboard should be at least 2 cm for best results. If using thin sheets, stack and glue more layers together. The harp in this tutorial is 2 cm thick.

Step 2: Assemble the Layers

Mark the screw positions on one of the cardboard cutouts using the template.
Punch small holes in the template to help mark the screw positions accurately on the cardboard.
Glue the cutout cardboard layers together using white glue, ensuring they are well-aligned.

The topmost layer should have the screw positions marked.
Place a weight on top and let it dry for 10-20 minutes.
If the edges are uneven, smooth them out with sandpaper or a cutter.

Step 3: Insert the Screws

Hammer the screws into the marked positions.
Screws are safer than nails since they stay securely in place and cannot be easily pulled out by kids.

If the screws protrude from the back, glue an extra layer of cardboard for safety.
Optionally, paint the harp and add decorative patterns.

Step 4: Add the Strings

- Stretch rubber bands around the screws to create tension.
- The tighter the bands, the better the sound quality.

Tada! Your DIY Cardboard Harp is Ready!

We totally loved the result, and my child had so much fun making music with it. It was also easy for her to carry around and play with anywhere.

Did You Try This Project?

I’d love to hear how it turned out! Let me know in the comments below.

Tips for Best Results

To produce sound, the rubber bands must be tight. You can either loop them twice or use smaller rubber bands that naturally have more tension.

Use sturdy cardboard for this project. It should be both thick and dense. Only dense cardboard can support the nails properly. If the cardboard is too soft or thin, there’s a high chance the nails will tear off when the rubber bands are stretched over them.

Variations

You can use the same tutorial to create other string instruments like a guitar or ukulele. Simply change the shape to suit the instrument you’d like to make.
Want to make a bigger version? Just scale up the template and follow the same steps to build a larger harp.
Some have asked whether actual instrument strings work on this craft. We’ve tried it, but they don’t produce any sound. Only rubber bands work effectively.

Cardboard Harp