Toys you can make from cardboard crafts! Authentic ideas you can build and play with

hand spinner

[Super Easy] How to Make a Hand Spinner! [DIY] Fidget Spinner

Fidget spinners were so popular that many people probably own one or have at least tried spinning one.

This fidget spinner is easy to make out of cardboard, so it’s highly recommended.

Since it’s made of paper, it’s nice that you can create it in your favorite colors and designs.

You don’t even need a template—using a 500-yen coin as a pattern is very convenient.

Stack three pieces of cardboard, insert a toothpick through them, and you’re done.

If small children are making it, try using a coin smaller than a 500-yen coin as the template.

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Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

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Cardboard garbage collection truck

[Cardboard Craft] Even the pros are amazed! Elementary school students recreate garbage trucks out of cardboard! Various refuse collection vehicles reproduced, including models by ShinMaywa Industries, Fuji Vehicle, and Morita Econos No. 197

Let me introduce cardboard garbage collection trucks.

There are different types of garbage trucks, and their movements and installed parts vary.

All of the trucks being introduced are made using cardboard.

By paying attention to details—such as changing the shape of the emergency stop switch section, recreating the tail lamps with plastic sheets, and writing the manufacturer’s name—you can complete a garbage truck that looks just like the real thing.

Understanding the movements and features of each type of garbage truck also makes it easier to imagine the materials you’ll need to prepare.

Be sure to try making a garbage truck in your own style.

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mayumi

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mechanical doll

[Cardboard Crafts] How to Make and How It Works: A Karakuri (Automaton) Doll Explanation

Karakuri dolls are really popular with kids because you can see all kinds of expressions.

The materials are cardboard, bamboo skewers, ping-pong balls, and so on.

First, let’s make the facial parts out of cardboard.

We’ll also create the eyes by fitting in ping-pong balls.

Thread a bamboo skewer through so the eyeballs can move freely.

Add hair, a nose, eyebrows, and before you know it, your karakuri doll is complete.

You can enjoy angry faces, smiling faces, and more—it’s a playful, fun craft.

Perfect for a summer vacation project.

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Nanaka

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Woven basket-style box

Let's make a woven-basket-style box from leftover cardboard scraps [Earth Danball]

If you have corrugated cardboard in pretty colors, you can make a colorful handmade box.

It’s sturdy enough to use, so you’ll likely find plenty of ways to put it to use afterward.

The only material you need is cardboard.

Cut the cardboard into long, narrow strips at 2–3 cm intervals.

Lay them out alternating vertically and horizontally, and weave them together.

Decide the finished size in advance, then bend the sections that will become the side walls.

Secure the edges with glue.

Make a slightly larger lid the same way.

It turns out more solid than you’d expect, and you’ll definitely want to show it to someone!

Three-dimensional artwork made with aluminum foil

Art project idea for 3rd–4th grade elementary students: a 3D artwork made with aluminum foil, “Mysterious Creatures.”

Here’s an idea for creating your own three-dimensional artwork using shiny aluminum foil.

Cut the foil to your preferred lengths, then crumple and compress it firmly into shape.

If you’re making a dragon, it helps to form separate parts—such as the body, tail, and horns—and refine each piece as you go.

Once all the parts are ready, check the balance and assemble them, securing everything firmly with glue or tape.

Finally, paint it in your favorite colors to complete a realistic, dynamic dragon.

The finished piece reflects light and has a strong presence, making it an eye-catching decorative item.

It’s a craft that lets you enjoy changing shapes freely and imagining a story as you create.

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mutō

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A Castle of Light Made with Corrugated Plastic and LEDs

Elementary 3rd–4th Grade Art Project Idea: A Craft Using Corrugated Plastic and LED Lights — “Castle of Light”

This craft uses plastic corrugated board (known as “Pladan” in Japanese) to create a fantastical castle of light, featuring enchanting lighting effects.

Use a utility knife to cut window shapes you like into the board—stars, hearts, moons—feel free to get creative.

Once you’ve cut them out, roll the sheet into a cylinder and secure it with tape, then place an LED light inside to finish.

When you switch on the light, it shines through the windows, casting mysterious shadows around the room and creating the atmosphere of a real castle.

One of its charms is how it looks different in daylight and at night.

If you design your own and build a piece with a story, it will open up a world of imagination.

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mutō

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Transformable miniature house

For a summer vacation craft! How to make a miniature house that can be freely transformed

Let me introduce a cute, transformable miniature house.

Using cardboard, choose the coverings for the ceiling, floor, and walls as you build each room.

The key is to keep in mind the kind of room you want to create while you work.

Try stacking rooms or changing the combinations to make a miniature house that’s uniquely yours.

By making the wall coverings with colored paper or using patterned paper for the miniature house, you can add originality and have even more fun.

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mayumi

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