Earlier this year, I made a cardboard red rod holder for our DIY Montessori Red Rods. Happy to report that after months of use, it has worked very nicely! I was so happy to have our rods contained instead of taking up a whole shelf, or flopping around somewhere.

Since it worked so well for me, I have decided to make a pattern and tutorial for you as well! I hope you find it useful! This pattern and tutorial will also work with thin plywood and foam board, which are also great choice.

Here’s how to make your own DIY Red Rod Holder:

Materials Needed

• Masking tape or ScotchBlue Painter’s tape
• Cardboard, foam board or thin plywood.
• wood glue (hot glue for foam board)
• Red Rod stand template

Tools Needed

• Masking tape or ScotchBlue Painter’s tape

• clamps for wood
• craft knife or saw

How to Build the DIY Red Rod Stand

1. Print, tape and cut our free Red Rod Stand Template.

• Please note, if you’re cutting wood, you will want to narrow the width of the front and back pieces to match your total width before cutting. Leave excess material for cardboard to ensure a snug fit.

2. Transfer pattern to material of choice.

3. Cut materials.

4. If using cardboard, cut 2 pieces of cardboard per side. Wood or foam board, only cut one.

5. For cardboard, glue each sides two pieces together using wood glue. Tape tightly using masking or blue painters tape.

6. Once dry, attach both sides to the bottom, wedging the bottom piece between the two side pieces. Tape again tightly to hold.

7. Lastly attach front and back pieces. These go on the outside of the side pieces, sandwiching them. Tape again and let dry.

8. After dry, if using cardboard, cut front and back pieces down to size.

9. If desired, glue kraft paper to outsides for a clean look.