Handmade capsule toy machines with everyday materials! Easy craft ideas you can make
The capsule toy machines we were obsessed with as kids…
Wouldn’t it be wonderful to recreate that thrill yourself? Actually, you can handcraft a realistic capsule toy machine using everyday materials! In this article, we’ll show you how to make one with items like cardboard, paper cups, and milk cartons—materials you likely have at home or can easily get—so both craft enthusiasts and beginners can enjoy.
Why not make your own original capsule machine and fill it with your favorite trinkets, snacks, or cards?
Handmade Gacha Machine with Everyday Materials! Easy Craft Ideas (1–10)
Garapon-style capsule toy machine
It’s fun like a lottery machine! Here are some ideas for a Garapon-style gacha.
Some of you may admire the lottery machines you see at events.
This time, let’s make a Garapon-style gacha using cardboard and bamboo skewers.
You’ll need cardboard, a utility knife, a template, glue, a hot glue gun, bamboo skewers, and lids from disposable plastic containers or plastic sheets.
Key points: always let parts dry thoroughly after gluing, and use cardboard that is 5 millimeters thick.
Gachapon made from cardboard
How about making a life-sized, realistic gachapon machine out of cardboard? Cut the cardboard to size for the outer body, cut out the window and coin slot with a utility knife, and secure everything from the inside with packing tape.
For the window, attach a hard clear card case with a hot glue gun.
The hand-turned dial requires fine work, but it’s crucial, so make it carefully.
There are many steps that use a utility knife and hot glue gun, so please work with caution.
Gachapon made with paper cups
Introducing a small and cute gashapon (capsule toy) machine you can make using paper cups.
The materials are two paper cups, one plastic cup, construction paper, and plastic wrap, among others.
Stack the two paper cups to form the base at the bottom, cut off the unnecessary parts, and use the inner cup as a slope.
Turn the plastic cup upside down and attach it on top, and make circular holes in the center of both cups.
Use rolled construction paper with a hole as the gashapon dial.
Since it’s a mini gashapon, try filling it with chocolates or other candies and have fun playing with it.
coin-operated gacha machine
If you want to enjoy a capsule toy machine the authentic way—by inserting a coin and turning the dial—there are surely many people who’d like to build one that incorporates that mechanism, even if it’s a bit tricky.
This method is perfect for those who prefer realism: unless you insert a coin, the dial won’t turn.
You might think making it work with a coin sounds complicated, but the mechanism is simple: when you insert a coin, its weight lowers a stopper, allowing the dial to turn.
Adjusting the internal parts can be a bit detailed and challenging, but give it a try!
Gachapon made from a milk carton
How about making a capsule toy machine using milk cartons and a toilet paper roll? You’ll need two milk cartons, a paper roll, a clear file, and either cellophane tape or wood glue.
Use an opened milk carton for the main body and make the internal parts from milk cartons as well.
There are many steps, but you can finish it in about an hour, making it perfect for a summer vacation craft.
While standard capsule toy shells won’t fit, you can load a few ping-pong-ball-sized items, so it’s great for things like raffles, too.
A capsule toy machine that can also return coins
A finish that looks just like the real thing! Here’s an idea for a capsule toy machine (gachagacha) that can even return coins.
How about making a realistic-looking gachagacha out of cardboard? It’s a great idea that includes a coin return feature! You’ll need cardboard, a compass, a utility knife, bamboo skewers, straws, a hot glue gun, rubber bands, a ruler, glue, and more.
Since the steps and parts are detailed, it’s best to make it together with a parent or guardian.
Give it a try!
Card gacha machine
Trading card games are popular with everyone from kids to adults.
Even people who aren’t interested have probably heard about them because rare character cards often become a hot topic.
How about making a capsule toy machine (gacha) for those card games? This gacha is perfect for an elementary school science project, though it involves a lot of fine work, so it might be better suited for upper grades.
A nice point is that you can play not only with trading cards but with various kinds of cards.
It’s a fun gacha with an elaborate mechanism, including a coin-insert feature.
gum vending machine
Let’s make a colorful, eye-catching gumball capsule machine! We’ll only build the base at the bottom; the top uses a plastic bottle.
Cut out pieces of cardboard with a utility knife, stack and glue them together, and for the dispensing mechanism, instead of turning a dial, you push and pull a button.
Rubber bands bring the button back.
When you push, an internal hole lines up so a gumball can pass through.
A classic gumball machine means a red body, right? Try decorating it with colored construction paper!
Gachapon made from a tissue box
Empty tissue boxes make excellent craft materials, don’t they? Here’s how to make a gashapon (capsule toy) machine using a tissue box and a toilet paper roll.
Cut off the top surface of the tissue box; since you’ll be adding a dial hole and a window there, prepare an extra piece of thick paper or another empty box as well.
Use the paper roll as the dial by making a hole, and attach stoppers made from an empty box to the left and right of it.
Add a window using a clear file or similar plastic sheet, and decorate with wrapping paper.
You might even have everything at home already and be able to make it right now!
BIG gacha machine
We’re introducing a craft kit that lets you build a capsule toy machine—a special, extra-large version called the “BIG Gacha Machine.” With this BIG Gacha Machine, once you open the box, the parts are already pre-cut and all you have to do is assemble them, making it super easy to put together.
No scissors or box cutters needed—just have some cellophane tape at home and you’re good to go.
Fold and assemble according to the instructions, and you’re done.
The machine is a simple white, so try decorating it with masking tape or wrapping paper to create your very own original gacha machine!