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! Craft Ideas for Games Kids Will Love (41–50)
slot machine
A slot machine that spins around and stops instantly when you press a button—made with cardboard, yet impressively authentic.
When you start spinning it, force is applied to the whole mechanism, but after that the rotation continues independently of the axle, and a magnet connected to the end of the button stops the reels one by one.
Finally, consider the balance of which parts you want to show, enclose the surroundings to form a box, and you’re done.
To make it feel even more realistic, we recommend adding decorations inspired by real slot machines.
Marble run made from cardboard
Let’s try making a cool marble run using cardboard.
Prepare a rectangular piece of cardboard that isn’t too thick, and cut off one section on the large face and one section on the narrowest side.
Then, using the pieces you removed and other bits of cardboard, build the pathways for the marble to roll along and attach them to the base cardboard.
Instead of connecting every path all the way through, it’s also fun to leave gaps here and there so the marble drops down to the next level and continues.
Be sure to set up the goal area so the marble stops securely and doesn’t roll out after reaching the finish.
cardboard car
It’s a simple craft where you assemble cardboard into the shape of a car, and the fun part is that you can actually get inside it.
First, take the cardboard apart to create parts, then put them together to form a car.
The key here is how you connect each part—use tricks like layering the cardboard so the structure doesn’t collapse.
Once the shape is complete, add decorations to make it look more like a car; adding a decorative door that shows you can get inside is also recommended.
Barbecue set
Why not make a barbecue set out of cardboard and origami that looks just like the real thing? It would add a seasonal touch to kids’ pretend play and make it even more fun.
First, let’s make the grill.
Prepare a cardboard box, string, and red and black origami paper.
Stack the two colors back-to-back, tear them in half, then roll them up with the black side facing out.
Cut slits along the top of the cardboard box and thread the string through them.
Once you’ve threaded all the strings, it will look just like a wire grate.
Make the food items from leftover cardboard, and you’re done.
Curling game
Due to the influence of the Olympics, it seems that more children are taking up curling.
So I’d like to introduce a cardboard curling game craft.
It’s very easy to make.
First, prepare a rectangular piece of cardboard—using the lid of a box makes it simple.
Next, line the bottom with plastic and make the target area out of origami paper, then stick it on.
After that, prepare several plastic bottle caps and paint them red and yellow, and you’re done.
The gameplay is just like curling, so it’s perfect for having fun with friends.
lottery drum
Isn’t this something that even adults would find dreamlike? Let’s try making a “garapon” lottery drum—the kind you often see at raffle events—out of cardboard! If you turn it properly, the balls will come out, so you can have lots of fun playing with family and friends.
It’s a delightful and cleverly made toy that’s perfect for kids!
Cardboard 3D craft
Three-dimensional creations using single-faced corrugated cardboard make the most of the material’s qualities depending on the direction and shape of your cuts.
If you cut along the direction of the flutes, the cardboard bends easily; by changing the cutting direction, you can form pillar-like shapes.
Cut long strips and coil them or make rods to combine into towers, arches, or animal bodies—shape them freely.
Connecting multiple parts in three dimensions results in sturdy works.
Painting the surface or adding patterns enhances the finish.
Sculptures born from everyday materials convey the depth of making and the freedom of imagination.
