As poor college students, it can be hard to keep electronics safe and in good working condition. The electronics are expensive in the first place, and the cases used to keep them from getting scratched only add to the price. This iPad case will keep the cost down and keep your device safe while you are going from place to place. It is made from materials that you can easily find in your apartment, and it is easy to assemble. While this case is not guaranteed to protect your device from every accident, it will keep it safe from scratches.

Materials

iPad mini (7.87 inches by 5.30 inches)
Empty cereal box
Packing tape
Duct tape (color or pattern of your choice)
Single sheet protector
Scissors
Ruler
Glue stick
Pencil or pen
Old magazines or picture cut outs
Cup (about 1–1.5 inches in diameter, depending on the size of your iPad)

Note: we will refer to the front and back of the cereal box as the right and left sides, and the skinny side of the box as the spine of the cereal box.

Step 1:

Open all of the flaps on the cereal box (top, bottom, and side) so that the box can lay flat on the table.

Step 2:

Place the iPad on the right side of the cereal box. Align it with the bottom left corner of that side.

Step 3:

Trace the outline of the iPad onto the box with the line on the right side of the iPad extending to the bottom of the cardboard.

Step 4:

Repeat steps 2 and 3 on the left side of the cereal box, aligning the iPad with the bottom right corner of that side.

Step 5:

Fold the cereal box so that the spine is against the side of the iPad. Hold the cereal box with one hand and trace the length of the iPad onto the spine with your other hand. Make sure to extend this line to the bottom of the cardboard.

Tip: if you are right-handed, do this with the iPad on the right side. If you are left-handed, do this with the iPad on the left side.

Step 6:

Cut out both tracings of the iPad from the cereal box. One side will include the tracings on the spine of the cereal box. The cereal box spine will also be the spine of the iPad case. Make sure to keep the original cereal box flaps intact.

Step 7:

To cut out a circle for the Apple symbol, choose the side of the cereal box that you want to be the back side of the case.

Step 8:

Using the ruler, measure how many inches the Apple logo is from the top, bottom, and sides of the iPad. Mark these measurements on the back side of the box.

Step 9:

Place the cup on top of the markings that you just made, and then trace a circle around the outside of the cup.

Step 10:

Cut out the circle from the cardboard.

Tip: poke a hole in the middle of the circle to make it easier to cut out the circle.

Step 11:

Place the box around the iPad. Trim off excess edges of cardboard and use the packing tape to tape all of the flaps closed, but leave the edge opposite of the spine open so that the iPad can slide in and out.

Step 12:

Cover the entire box in duct tape, except for the circle and the open end of the box.

Tip: fold the duct tape around the edge of the circle for a cleaner look.

Step 13:

Cut out a square of the sheet protector large enough to cover the entire circle. Tape that square onto the inside of the cereal box, covering the circle.

Step 14:

Cut out pictures from magazines or other pictures of your choice and glue them in place onto the case.

Step 15:

Once you have your pictures in your desired positions, cover the entire box in packing tape. Do not tape over the opening.

Step 16: Finished Product

Even though these instructions are specifically for an iPad mini, you can tailor them to any object you wish to protect such as a tablet, laptop, textbook, book, or journal.

Have fun with your safe iPad!

Introduction: IPad Case for College Students