Toys you can make from cardboard crafts! Authentic ideas you can build and play with
“It moves like the real thing!” “It’s just like an arcade!” Want to try making cardboard crafts that will amaze your family and friends?In fact, with a bit of ingenuity in assembling cardboard, you can create all kinds of fun projects like a claw machine, a basketball game, and even a cardboard car.Besides cardboard, most of the materials you’ll need are everyday items, along with a utility knife and glue.Why not take on the challenge of creating your own original project without fear of failure?In this article, we’ll share cardboard craft ideas that both kids and adults can enjoy!
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Toys you can make from cardboard crafts! Authentic ideas you can build and play with (1–10)
cardboard car
It’s a simple craft where you assemble cardboard into the shape of a car, and the fun part is that you can actually get inside it.
First, take the cardboard apart to create parts, then put them together to form a car.
The key here is how you connect each part—use tricks like layering the cardboard so the structure doesn’t collapse.
Once the shape is complete, add decorations to make it look more like a car; adding a decorative door that shows you can get inside is also recommended.
piggy bank
A piggy bank is complete just by making a hole in a box, but adding a little twist might make it more fun.
For example, it could have several openings for taking money out even though there’s only one slot for putting money in, or dedicated slots for 10-yen, 50-yen, and 100-yen coins.
It might also be interesting to make it not only a rectangular shape, but a pyramid, a car, or a baseball bat.
You can enjoy crafting and save money at the same time—two birds with one stone!
Basketball game
Basketball games are hugely popular with kids, aren’t they? Lately, the NBA has been getting a lot of attention.
Playing basketball outside is great, but this time we’ll introduce a basketball game you can play at home.
Since you can do it at home, it’s perfect for hot summer play, and it’s also recommended as a summer vacation craft project.
This time, let’s make a basketball game out of cardboard.
Using cardboard makes it easy and keeps costs down.
Once it’s finished, set up a small basketball and give it a try.
It would be fun to compete with friends to see who can score the most baskets.
Toys You Can Make with Cardboard! Authentic Ideas You Can Build and Play With (11–20)
rattle
We’re going to make a lottery drum (garagara).
The materials are lots of ping-pong balls, wooden chopsticks, and cardboard.
First, make the main body from cardboard.
It’s easiest if you imagine a whole uncut cake.
A hexagon or a circle will both work.
Make an exit on the side for the balls to come out.
The size should be just a little larger than a ping-pong ball.
If you have room, try making another opening on the side for putting ping-pong balls in.
Use hook-and-loop fastener (Velcro) so the lid doesn’t open.
Create an axle in the center of the main body using chopsticks, and fix it to a base made of cardboard to finish.
You can write prize numbers on the ping-pong balls, or simply write “Winner.”
crane game
It’s a “claw machine” that doesn’t use electricity.
The materials are a magnet, ribbon or thick string, chopsticks, and cardboard.
Small candies or erasers make good prizes.
First, make the main body out of cardboard.
Cut a slit in the top that’s the same thickness as the chopsticks.
This is where the chopsticks will move.
Attach a string to the chopsticks and fix a magnet to the end.
Put magnets on the prizes as well.
Set it up so that turning the chopsticks makes the string move up and down.
That’s basically it.
There are lots of parts you can decorate, so let’s make it a sparkly claw machine!
safe
Safes have long played important roles in TV dramas and movies.
There have even been challenge shows where people try to open old safes without knowing how they work.
If you could make a safe yourself, many people would probably want to give it a try.
The safe featured in this video can be easily made using common materials like cardboard and plastic bottle caps.
Making it is also a great way to learn how locks work, so it’s highly recommended.
If you use more durable materials, it could even serve as a mailbox.
cardboard house
It’s a simple project where you assemble cardboard into the shape of a house, and its big appeal is that it’s sturdy despite using simple materials.
It’s best to use cardboard that’s as large as possible; instead of cutting it into small pieces, make use of its original form to achieve a more beautiful and durable look.
Since it already has creases that fold into a rectangular box, using those will make it easier to build and result in a cleaner appearance.
After you’ve created the rough shape, it’s a good idea to think about how you want to refine and finish it.