Let's make toys out of cardboard! Easy and fun handmade toys
We’re introducing handmade toys you can make out of cardboard.
This time, they’re geared toward children of preschool and kindergarten age!
We’ve gathered ideas that are easy to make and play with, focusing on ones kids will love.
Some projects may take a little more time to make, but if you create them, the kids will definitely be thrilled!
If you want to make handmade toys or enjoy crafting together with your child, be sure to use these ideas as a reference.
They’re perfect for everyday play at home, as well as for playing with lots of friends at preschool or kindergarten!
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Let’s Make Toys with Cardboard! Easy and Fun DIY Toys (21–30)
Easy with cardboard! Handmade puzzle
Puzzles made from cardboard can be created using scrap materials, so they’re inexpensive and fun to play with right from the crafting stage.
Aside from the illustrated part, everything—from the puzzle pieces to the frame—can be made out of cardboard, making it easy to create a new one whenever you get bored.
Both the crafting process and the puzzle itself involve using your fingers, which helps with learning and brain training, so they’re perfect not only for children but also for older adults.
Plus, it teaches the valuable lesson that toys can be made from everyday items, so give it a try!
Cardboard Badminton
Let’s have fun using recycled materials! Here’s an idea for cardboard badminton.
When you think of badminton, you use a racket and a shuttlecock, right? This time, let’s make both pieces of equipment using scrap materials you can find at home, like cardboard.
What you’ll need: cardboard, an A4-size clear plastic file, tissue paper, a permanent marker, tape, a ruler, scissors, and more.
The way the shuttlecock spins around as it falls is unique and really fun to watch!
A crane game where you can grab capsules
A capsule-compatible claw machine made from cardboard offers an impressive look and engaging controls.
Cut the main body parts from cardboard, temporarily hold them in place with tape, then assemble.
Making use of the corrugated structure increases strength and stability.
Thread yarn through the claw section for opening and closing, and set up additional yarn to support the body so it can be operated.
To prevent the claw from opening too wide, use items like batteries as stoppers for a more realistic motion.
Reinforce the claw so it can grip capsules without dropping them, and add eye designs to give the appearance a sharper finish.
Small adjustments to the details change the difficulty, making this a three-dimensional idea that expands the fun of play.
Target game with paper cups and cardboard
This is a handmade cardboard target game that even little kids can enjoy! First, decorate a paper cup however you like, then cut four slits in it.
Secure two rubber bands into the slits.
Make holes in the cardboard that will serve as the target.
For small children, be careful when using scissors or other tools.
You can launch crumpled paper balls for fun, too.
Beyond paper cups, you can also try things like stick-and-rubber-band launchers—feel free to get creative and adapt it to your environment so kids and adults alike can enjoy it!
Pulling play for 1-year-olds
Let’s make a perfect pull-toy activity for a one-year-old using cardboard.
First, cut a piece of cardboard flat and reinforce the edges with duct tape or vinyl tape.
Next, use an awl to punch holes.
Thicker string is recommended because it’s easier for little hands to hold.
Thread the string through the holes and tie a tight knot at the end so it won’t come out.
After adding the strings, decorate it with pictures of animals or other images to capture the children’s interest.
You’ll have a lovely item that kids can pull on again and again.
Let’s try making a big dice!
An item that’s perfect for events and parties! When you think of dice, most are so small they feel tiny even in a child’s hand.
But this time, let’s use cardboard or large origami paper to make big dice and have some fun.
With oversized dice, you can become the game piece yourself in a life-size board game, making for a memorable, high-impact event! You can also create the game board squares together with kids using recycled materials, turning the process into an exciting, hands-on activity.
boomerang
Let’s make a boomerang out of cardboard that, when thrown far, spins and comes back to you.
The shape is crucial to ensure it spins steadily and returns, so it’s best to use a ruler and build it precisely.
First, cut the cardboard into a base shape with four arms extending outward, then add weight by applying tape to it.
Adjust the angle of each wing while fine-tuning the design to achieve a form that spins well and comes back.
