Log Cabin Activity

Use the round foam rods, toothpicks, and cardboard from the supply kit to build a frontier-type log house. (If you do not have the supply kit, use Lincoln Logs or sticks to build your own frontier cabin.) Or you could find materials from your backyard! Use mud or clay to “chink” in the gaps, just as the frontiersmen did! You will need the cardboard for the floor and for the roof.

First, you will need to design the house. Make it a small one- or two-room cabin as was common in the day.

1. On the first piece of cardboard draw the design for your cabin. Remember to include where the doors and windows will be.

2.  Cut the foam “logs” to length for the first row of logs. Glue the first layer of logs to the cardboard. Put several toothpicks through the logs and just into the cardboard to act as nails. Cut the second layer of logs and glue them to the first layer. Continue building your house using the toothpicks as needed. (You will need to overlap the logs on the ends. Alternate the overlap between the left/right sides and front/back sides.) Remember to make the logs shorter as you get to the peak of the roof.

3. Use the second piece of cardboard for the roof. Cut it to size and glue it to the top layer of logs.