Say hello to the Instructables Frankenbot! This compact papercraft is easy to assemble and is a great activity to get you in the Halloween spirit. Get your family, friends, or students involved too! If this little guy isn’t exciting enough on his own, Instructables is also running a fun Halloween Photo Challenge & Giveaway!

When you post a photo of your Frankenbot papercraft (here on this Instructable as an "I Made It", or on Twitter, or Instagram), we’ll send you an Instructables giveaway pack! Additionally, Instructables staff will feature the best recreations of this papercraft project on our Twitter and Instagram Stories (and tag you, of course).

Here's how to participate:

Create your (ultra-cute) Instructables Frankenbot by following the detailed instructions in this project.
Set the scene and create a Halloween background for your Frankenbot to hang out in.
Post a photo of your Frankenbot in all of his glory to Instagram and/or Twitter, tagging @instructables and #Frankenbot. **You’ll have to follow us on each platform so we can DM you.**
Alternatively, post your creation as an "I Made It" at the bottom of this project.
We must receive submissions and iterations of this project by November 5, 2018 (11:59pm Pacific Time) to be eligible for this offering.

If you only make one thing this Halloween, let it be this.

For even more halloween fun and inspiration, check out last year's Instructables Papercraft Companion- Vampire Robot.

Step 1: Supplies

Printed Papercraft
Xacto knife
Cutting mat
Ruler

Paper Options:

Cardstock: Use for a stronger more robust Frankenbot
Regular printer/copy paper: regular printer/copy paper is 100% ok to use, but will require a little bit more patience and care when assembling your Frankenbot so that you don't accidentally squash or rip him.

Step 2: Cutting

Cut along the outer edge of all of the papercraft pieces.

Step 3: Special Cuts

Once you have cut along the outer edge of all your pieces there are a few special cuts you need to make.

Leg tabs: Cut along the black line that runs into the leg.
Slots: Cut along the inner slot lines with an Xacto knife on a cutting mat. These slot lines are indicated by a thin black line with two dashes on either end. Be careful not to go past the lines when cutting. These line length are well suited for receiving their recipient tabs during assembly. *If you do overshooting them and are having trouble keeping your tabs in the slot - you can use some glue to hold it all together
Neck Studs (optional) : To add a little extra 3D magic to your Frankenbot you can cut along the outside of the neck studs on either side of the head. Make sure to NOT cut them at their base so that you can fold them open to create an authentic 3D neck studding on your Frankenbot.

Assembly Tips and Tricks:

Pre-gouging your slots: After you cut your slots, they may be a little tight. I found that by pushing my Xacto knife through the slot, it made it easier to push the tab through it.
Using your Xacto knife as a guide: If you are having trouble getting you tab into a slot - This can be made easier by putting my Xacto knife into the slot first and then slipping the tab in behind it. Remove the blade and Voila your tab is in place!

Step 4: Assembling the Legs

Roll your leg piece into a tube
Slide the tab into the slot using and angled approach
Straighten out the leg until the top and bottom looks flush and the tab sits snugly into the slot
Repeat for second leg

Step 5: Assembling the Head

Fold along edges
Slip the two tab at the back of the head into their respective slots

Step 6: Assembling the Arms

Fold arm in half where the fingertips meet.
There are three arm to choose from for your Frankenbot. Use both regular arms, or swap out the left regular arm for the flame thumb arm (an ode to Young Frankenstein). There is an extra arm without the flame if you would like to keep it classic.

Step 7: Folding the Torso

Fold along all edges.

All of your Frankenbot pieces are ready! It's time to start building your Frankenbot! ** cue lighting bolts and thunder!!!

Step 8: Attaching the Arms

Slot the tabs of each arm into the two angled slots on the side of the torso.
Push through and make sure they are nice and secure.

Step 9: Assembling the Torso

Slip the two tabs on each side of the torso into their respective slots.
Fold up back of torso, and slip final tab into neck slot located on the top back of the torso piece.

Step 10: Attaching the Head and Legs

Head:

Slot the tabs of the head into the two slots located on the top of the torso.
Push through and make sure they are nice and secure.

Legs:

Slot the tabs of the leg piece into the two slots located on the bottom of the torso.
Push through and make sure they are nice and secure.
Repeat on for other leg.

Step 11: IT'S ALIVE!!!

IT'S ALIVE!!! Congratulations you are now the proud parent of your very own Frankenbot Robot.

For even more halloween fun and inspiration, check out last year's Instructables Papercraft Companion - Vampire Robot.

Step 12: Enter the Halloween Photo Challenge & Giveaway!

When you post a photo of your Frankenbot papercraft on,

This Instructable as an "I Made It",
Twitter ; - or -
Instagram;

we’ll send you an Instructables giveaway pack! Additionally, Instructables staff will feature the best recreations of this papercraft project on our Twitter and Instagram Stories (and tag you, of course).