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 Toys with Cardboard! DIY Game Ideas That Will Fascinate Kids (11–20)
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.
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!
basketball board game
Introducing a basketball board game made from cardboard.
Cardboard is a great ally for crafts, isn’t it? Many of you probably used it for summer vacation projects.
Let’s use that same cardboard to make a board that lets you enjoy a basketball game.
Attach a ball launcher and hoops onto a cardboard base set at an incline.
For the hoops, use paper cups and stick several onto the board.
For the basketballs, lightweight ping-pong balls are perfect.
As a finishing touch, decorate the board with NBA stickers and more to boost the fun.
pull-back car
This craft lets you experience the fun of a car you built with your own hands zipping along powered by rubber bands.
Cut corrugated plastic board (pladan) to match the size of the chassis.
For the wheels, use bottle caps: make a hole in the center of each cap, pass a bamboo skewer through, and create an axle.
Secure the axles firmly to the body with hot glue, and it will start to look like a real car.
Hook a rubber band onto the rear axle and wind it forward to get it ready.
When you let go, the car surges ahead with the power of the rubber band.
You can freely design and color the body, so customizing the look is part of the appeal.
Using familiar materials and a simple mechanism, this is a hands-on project that lets you both build and learn while enjoying dynamic motion.
seesaw game
A seesaw game crafted with cardboard is simple yet challenging, so you can keep enjoying it even after it’s finished.
Its large size also makes it a striking choice for a summer vacation project.
Since you’ll use tools like a utility knife and a compass, adults should carefully supervise if the child is young.
A hot glue gun speeds up assembly, but regular glue works too, so choose based on your child’s age to keep the process smooth.
Decorating the ping-pong balls you roll or drawing your favorite designs on the field will make it more colorful—try creating a one-of-a-kind seesaw game of your very own.
