Simple yet amazing crafts made with milk cartons! A collection of ideas that will captivate elementary school children and toddlers.

Washi papermaking

Summer Vacation Craft Series ♡ Part 1: Making Japanese Paper (Papermaking) from a Milk Carton [Koujoucho] DIY

We use paper every day without thinking about it, but you can make cute washi paper using a milk carton! From one milk carton, you can make about two postcards.

It takes a few days to soak the carton in water and to dry the washi, so it won’t be finished right away, but it’s very cute—please give it a try.

In addition to the milk carton, you’ll need laundry starch, a blender, a container, a tray for draining water, a laundry net, boards such as cutting boards for pressing, and cute kitchen paper or paints to add patterns.

A train that transforms

[Experiment] I tried making a transforming train out of a milk carton! [Craft]

I think a lot of people make trains out of milk cartons.

But if that’s all, it’s the same as everyone else and not very exciting, right? Well, this train can actually transform.

Isn’t it amazing that you can enjoy it in two different forms? All you need are two milk cartons, some cellophane tape and vinyl tape, and a pen to decorate the train! It’s super easy, so give it a try!

chair

Reuse milk cartons! DIY a chair for kids♪

How about making a handy chair you can use every day out of milk cartons? Prepare 24 milk cartons, cardboard, wrapping paper or tape to decorate the chair, and packing tape.

Open up the 24 milk cartons and fold each into a triangular prism.

Bundle them together and secure them with tape, and you’ll have a sturdy chair you can sit on! Milk cartons are amazing, aren’t they?

Pinwheel hat made from a milk carton

Building physical fitness through childcare! [Milk carton pinwheel hat]

A windmill attached to a hat! Here’s an idea for a windmill hat made from a milk carton.

You’ll need a milk carton, scissors, a bamboo skewer, duct tape, and a straw.

Wear the hat made from the milk carton and run—the windmill’s propeller will spin.

It’s a unique idea, perfect for kids who love running and being active.

It’s also fun to customize the design by drawing illustrations of cats, dogs, or monkeys.

Give it a try and have fun making and playing with it!

knitting machine

Professor Rinpei’s Make-and-Play Science: Scarf with a Milk Carton Loom

Have you ever wanted to knit a scarf but given up thinking it looks too difficult? Believe it or not, you can make a “loom” for knitting a scarf by cutting up a milk carton with a utility knife and scissors! Once you’ve made the loom, knitting the yarn is easy.

It’s recommended even for people who aren’t very handy—you’ll be able to do it right away!

car

[Milk Carton Craft] How to Make a Rubber Band-Powered Car

Pull-back cars that start running when you pull them back and let go are very popular with kids.

You can make one at home using a milk carton or plastic bottle caps.

Since there are some detailed steps using bamboo skewers and an awl, please help younger children with the work.

By adding colored paper or using markers, you can create your very own original car!

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Tani Satoko

Report a problem

Goldfish and poi

Goldfish Scooping

Here’s a craft idea where you make both goldfish and a scoop (poi) using milk cartons.

Because the goldfish are simply cut out of the carton into fish shapes, the original design is crucial—choosing which carton to use can be part of the fun.

The poi is also simple: just roll up thin strips of the carton and add a handle, so anyone can easily create a goldfish scooping game.

What you stick inside the ring is another key point: using thin washi paper makes it feel like authentic goldfish scooping, while a mesh strainer bag lets kids focus on the scooping motion.

You can also adjust the difficulty by making the poi harder to hold or changing the weight of the goldfish.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

kappamaki

Report a problem