Handmade toys with cardboard! DIY game ideas that will captivate kids
Looking for summer vacation craft ideas or fun toys the whole family can enjoy? With simple cardboard you have at home, you can handcraft all kinds of games—from nostalgic classics to original creations.
In this article, we’ll introduce DIY ideas for popular games everyone knows, like Whac-A-Mole and marble mazes.
Once you’re done, you can play with family and friends and it’s sure to be a hit! Try making cardboard toys and games packed with the fun of creating and the joy of playing!
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Handmade cardboard toys! DIY game ideas that will captivate kids (1–10)
Marble Maze
Here’s a cardboard toy that kids will be totally absorbed in! Build walls and obstacles out of cardboard, then tilt the board to guide a marble from start to finish—it’s a “marble maze”! Add clever mechanisms, design it stylishly, cute, and cool, and have fun making it!
Wani Wani Panic
This project builds a Whac-A-Gator-style game out of combined cardboard pieces, where targets like crocodiles pop out of holes one after another.
The key is the bent wire hidden inside the base; its unique shape creates the targets’ distinctive popping motion.
It’s also recommended to make targets in various designs, not just crocodiles, to add the fun of anticipating what will appear.
The simple look composed of rectangular shapes makes it easy to customize freely, which is another highlight.
Pokémon Bingo Game
This is a Pokémon-themed bingo game known for having passionate fans from children to adults.
You launch balls from a launcher to make bingo, so it’s sure to liven up any recreation activity.
Since it can be made with cardboard, it’s also recommended as a summer vacation craft for kids.
However, because you’ll be using a utility knife to cut out parts and holes, adults should assist depending on the child’s age.
For adults, using a hot glue gun speeds up the process, but please be cautious if small children are doing the craft.
Handmade Toys with Cardboard! DIY Game Ideas That Will Fascinate Kids (11–20)
Ring toss
Here’s how to make a ring toss game using a plastic wrap tube and a cardboard box—materials you can easily find in almost any household.
The best part is that you can play with it once it’s made! Hold the plastic wrap tube against the cardboard box and trace a circle around it with a pencil.
It’s better if the targets aren’t placed too close together.
Next, cut out the traced circles with a utility knife.
If a small child is doing this, please have an adult help.
Once the holes are cut, insert the plastic wrap tube into them, write point values as you like, and you’re done.
Strikeout
Let’s make a strikeout game—where you throw a ball and aim to hit targets—using cardboard.
It’s a game that tests your ball control, and the satisfying feeling of hitting the target panels is a big part of the appeal.
First, cut a square piece of cardboard and punch out circular holes; decorate the cut-out circular sections to create the targets.
Once the target parts are ready, set up a base and pillars, then attach the targets to complete the whole structure.
The gameplay will change depending on what you choose as the targets, so put real thought into the design.
table soccer
Table soccer is said to have originated in Europe around the 1890s.
Though its structure is simple, the game is surprisingly challenging.
If you can make it using everyday materials—mainly cardboard—it could be perfect for a child’s summer craft project.
Plus, for kids who aren’t very familiar with table soccer itself, it’s sure to be a hit as a game even after it’s finished.
Adding green fabric or colored paper to the field will make it feel more like real soccer, so it’s a fun craft to get creative with.
Corinth game
Let’s try making a hand-crafted Corinth game, that nostalgic pastime also known as smart ball or pinball! You don’t need any special tools—you can make it out of cardboard.
By drawing and pasting your favorite pictures, adding point values to boost the gameplay, and more, you can create a unique piece full of originality depending on your tweaks.
You can also easily build a marble launcher using materials like cardboard, bamboo skewers, and rubber bands, which will be a hit with kids if you include it.
It would be great to feature characters from your favorite anime or games, or come up with your own original design!
