Don’t you think it’s a waste to throw away those milk cartons you always use? In fact, just by making use of their boxy shape, they become perfect materials to make kids’ summer craft projects more fun.
What’s more, the things you can make with milk cartons are simple yet impressive—sure to make people say “Wow!” Here, we’ll introduce idea-packed crafts like a capsule toy machine, pixel art, and a motorcycle that even young children can enjoy.
Because the materials are so familiar, the sense of accomplishment is all the greater when you’re done.
Be sure to use this as a reference and enjoy making some wonderful crafts!
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Easy but Awesome Crafts Made from Milk Cartons! A Collection of Ideas (1–10) That Will Fascinate Elementary School Kids and Preschoolers
gachapon
Gachapon machines that captivate kids and adults alike! How about making your own using everyday materials like milk cartons? It looks adorable and is perfect for summer vacation projects or crafts.
All you need are two milk cartons, a toilet paper roll, and other easy-to-find items.
Plus, you can learn how a gachapon mechanism works—two birds with one stone! If you prepare your own original design and capsule prizes, children will enjoy it even more.
The result will be so impressive, no one will believe it’s made from milk cartons!
Infinity Cube made from a milk carton
The endlessly flippable infinity cube is so much fun, isn’t it? Let’s make one using milk cartons.
First, wash and dry the cartons, then prepare two cartons with the top and bottom cut off.
Cut each one into eight vertical strips to make 16 long, narrow pieces.
Next, use two pieces to make one cube.
There’s a trick to how the cubes are connected, so be careful not to connect them the wrong way.
Once you’ve connected them correctly, stick origami paper on top, and you’re done.
kaleidocycle
Perfect for a summer vacation science project, let’s make a kaleidocycle using milk cartons! A kaleidocycle is a fascinating toy where four faces rotate and change continuously.
Prepare two milk cartons opened flat and tape them together; cut off the spout sections.
Next, lightly draw diagonals and slanted lines on the inside of the cartons, and valley-fold all the slanted lines.
After adding fold creases along the vertical lines as well, tape the two ends together, then fold along the creases to close it up—and you’re done! You can draw your favorite pictures on each face, or even create a storybook-like sequence for extra fun.
slider
This is a slider made from milk cartons, perfect as a toy for small children.
All you need are a few milk cartons to make it, so it’s a very eco-friendly craft.
Combine opened milk cartons with cartons used as pillars! By adding a slope, kids can roll marbles or acorns down it.
Connect two or three levels to make it more advanced.
It doesn’t have to be perfectly shaped—if it’s connected, it’s fine! It’s also great as a summer vacation project, so try making it together as a parent-child activity.
Conveyor Piggy Bank
The piggy bank that’s a staple of summer vacation crafts.
If you want to make something a bit quirky and fun, how about a conveyor-belt piggy bank? It’s a very unique piggy bank where coins are carried along on a belt conveyor! The conveyor mechanism might be a little tricky to build, but once that’s done, all you have to do is set it into a cut milk carton.
It could be cute to design it so that your original character ends up “eating” the coin at the end.
Milk carton server
If you want your child to enjoy drinking milk, why not make a milk carton server together? Even kids who don’t like milk might be happy to drink it! It’s also great for summer break projects and crafts.
The steps are simple, making it perfect for children to try.
Just poke a hole in the bottom of a small plastic bottle and set it on top of a milk carton.
Because the hole is small, opening and closing the bottle cap lets the milk start and stop flowing due to air pressure.
Have fun decorating the carton, adding a little door, and customizing it however you like!
vending machine
Believe it or not, you can hand-make a vending machine that dispenses properly with the push of a button! It’s a great craft for summer vacation projects, using milk cartons.
Since it doesn’t use rubber bands or springs, kids can try it easily.
Use a tissue box to make the internal mechanism and a milk carton for the vending machine body.
For the canned drinks, roll up milk cartons cut into strips.
You can even design your own can labels! Your friends will definitely be amazed and ask, “How did you make this?”—it’s a surefire crowd-pleaser.