An empty box becomes a toy! A collection of ideas for handmade toys
Don’t you find yourself surrounded by empty boxes—like tissue boxes or candy boxes—before you know it?
It feels like such a waste to just crush them and throw them away!
This time, we’re introducing easy, handmade toys you can make using those empty boxes.
Boxes come in all kinds of shapes, so we’ve gathered a wide range of DIY toy ideas—from unique toys that make the most of each box’s shape to games you can really get absorbed in.
Take a look and see which ones you can make with the empty boxes you have at home!
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Empty boxes become toys! A collection of handmade toy ideas (1–10)
single-lens reflex camera
Why not try making a DSLR camera out of empty boxes? The process is very simple.
First, make the camera body: cover an empty box of a convenient size with black construction paper.
For the lens, we recommend using an empty container from tube-packaged snacks! Cut it to your preferred length, wrap it in black construction paper, and attach it to the body.
If it has a clear lid, leaving it on makes it look like a cute lens.
If not, plastic wrap or colored cellophane also works well.
Finally, use buttons or stickers to create the shutter button, add your own stylish touches, and you’re done!
A guitar that makes sound
Wouldn’t you be excited if you could make a guitar out of an empty box? This time, we’ll show you how to make a guitar that actually makes sound using scrap materials.
The method is very simple: stretch 3 to 5 rubber bands over the opening of an empty tissue box so they run across the hole.
Next, attach a paper tube—like a cling film core or toilet paper tubes joined together—on top of the tissue box.
This will be the guitar’s neck and head.
That’s the basic shape done, but if you use cardboard or construction paper to create a body, you can even make it look like an electric guitar or a classical guitar!
Spinning Picture Match
Let’s make a twirling aquarium out of empty boxes! Here’s what you’ll need: two lidded cylindrical snack boxes, blue-colored construction paper, string, stickers, and colored pens.
First, take one empty box, cut off the bottom, then cut it vertically.
Overlap the edges slightly to make it a bit smaller than the original cylinder, and tape it in place.
Make several slits around the top, and fold them inward.
Next, wrap the outside with blue construction paper and secure it with tape or glue.
Use glue to attach the lid to the folded-in tabs you made earlier.
Now, cover the other empty box with colored paper as well, and use a craft knife to cut out a rectangular window.
Once you’ve joined the two boxes together, decorate the inner cylinder with fish drawings or stickers to finish.
If you punch holes in the centers of the lids on both sides, thread a string through from the inside, and tie it, it won’t come loose easily!
Empty boxes become toys! A collection of handmade toy ideas (11–20)
Barbecue set
Let’s make a barbecue set! Prepare a cardboard box, yarn, scissors, glue, a ruler, and tape.
For the charcoal, glue together red and black origami paper, then tear it in half by hand.
Roll it up with the red side facing inward and secure it with tape.
Gently flatten it, and your charcoal is done! For the grill, cut off the lid section of the cardboard box.
Make slits in the cardboard at 2 cm intervals.
String yarn vertically and horizontally through the slits to create a mesh.
Your grill is complete! Next, for the tongs, prepare two straight straws, two bendable straws, cellophane tape, and scissors.
Align the two bendable straws and firmly tape both sides of each bend with cellophane tape.
From the mouth end, cut the opposite end to match the length up to the bend.
Finally, attach forks to the outside of the bendable straws with two pieces of tape, and you’re done! Make your favorite ingredients and have fun playing!
garbage truck
Let’s make a garbage truck that kids love using empty boxes! Prepare three empty boxes of different sizes, cellophane tape, scissors, cardboard, colored construction paper, crayons, and colored markers.
On the first (largest) box, draw a rectangular opening, make starter cuts, and cut it out with scissors.
Cut a piece of colored construction paper to cover the hole you just made, and tape only the top edge with cellophane tape.
Place the large box you made on top of the second box and secure it with tape.
Finally, cover the third empty box with paper and draw the garbage truck details.
Combine all the parts, tape them together, add the wheels, and you’re done!
Moving pendulum clock
Let me introduce a pendulum clock you can make using an empty tissue box.
Prepare an empty tissue box, an awl, scissors, a utility knife, bamboo skewers, double-sided tape, glue, thick paper (cardstock), and colored construction paper.
Cut out the clear plastic from the opening of the box, then cover the entire box with brown construction paper.
Next, use the utility knife to make a 0.5 cm by 4 cm slit on one side of the box.
Cut a strip of cardstock to 2 cm by 20 cm, then attach two large buttons underneath it with double-sided tape so that the cardstock is sandwiched between them.
Insert the cardstock through the slit from the bottom, make a hole 2 cm down from the top using the awl, pass a bamboo skewer through the hole, and secure it with cellophane tape.
Draw a clock face and a bird, stick them onto the pendulum clock, and you’re done!
Empty Box Puzzle
Let’s make a simple puzzle using empty boxes.
Prepare two rectangular empty boxes, colored construction paper, OPP tape, crayons, and scissors.
Cut four pieces of colored paper to match the size of the boxes, then use crayons or pens to draw any pictures you like.
Once you’re done, paste the drawings onto the boxes to fit their shape, and reinforce them with OPP tape on top to prevent tearing.
With only two pieces and few parts, even small children can stay focused and have fun!