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 (31–40) that will captivate kids
A crane game where you can grab capsules
A capsule-compatible claw machine made from cardboard offers an impressive look and engaging controls.
Cut the main body parts from cardboard, temporarily hold them in place with tape, then assemble.
Making use of the corrugated structure increases strength and stability.
Thread yarn through the claw section for opening and closing, and set up additional yarn to support the body so it can be operated.
To prevent the claw from opening too wide, use items like batteries as stoppers for a more realistic motion.
Reinforce the claw so it can grip capsules without dropping them, and add eye designs to give the appearance a sharper finish.
Small adjustments to the details change the difficulty, making this a three-dimensional idea that expands the fun of play.
Handmade crane game out of cardboard!
A claw machine made from cardboard is a perfect activity for kids who love crafts.
By assembling the cardboard into a box and cutting out windows so you can see inside, you can create the feel of a real arcade machine.
If you use pipe cleaners for the arm, it will move flexibly, letting you enjoy the sensation of grabbing prizes.
Fill it with plush toys or light trinkets, and each attempt becomes more exciting—you can even compete with friends and family.
You can adjust the difficulty by changing how you build it, and once it’s finished, you’ll experience both the satisfaction of completing it and the fun of playing.
It’s a creative idea that lets you enjoy an arcade vibe using familiar, everyday materials.
A full-fledged crane game that even beginners can make
This is a crane game that delivers a stable finish by proceeding through the steps in order.
Cut the cardboard into individual parts, and thread bamboo skewers and string to create the movement mechanism.
Carefully securing everything with glue improves durability.
By combining binder clips and popsicle sticks for the arm, it can perform a gripping action, and using wooden dowels and boards expands the range of control.
The moment you lift a prize feels just like the real thing, and it’s sure to captivate not only children but adults as well.
It’s a practical idea that keeps material costs low while offering both a sense of accomplishment and plenty of play value.
Easy cardboard target game
@niconico_mama [Sticky Target] Easy target game with cardboard ❤︎Target Shooting Game#AtHomePlayHow to spend time while the park is closed
♬ I Wanna Be Your Ghost (feat. Ghosts) (Sabi Ver.) – Gen Hoshino
Here’s an easy target game craft you can make with just cardboard and tape! Prepare a cardboard box in your preferred size, then either cut off the flaps or fold them inward.
Cut several strips of tape and stick them across the opening of the box with the adhesive side facing up.
That’s your target done! Get some balls made of a material that will stick to the adhesive but peel off easily—such as soft color balls—and try throwing them at the target.
If you throw well, the balls will stick to the tape!
Sticky target game
If you have cardboard, you can make it! Here’s an easy way to create a target game.
How to make it: prepare a box in your preferred size and stick strips of packing tape (with the adhesive side facing outward) across it horizontally.
That’s it—done! Then just grab something to throw, like soft color balls, and start tossing.
It’s a simple target, but with a bit of creativity you can make it really fun—that’s one of the best parts.
You can also enjoy it like a shooting gallery, so it’s fun to think about what to throw as you build it.
It’s great for both kids and adults, so before you toss out your cardboard, give this a try!
