Made from egg cartons! A collection of simple and fun DIY toy ideas
This time, we’re introducing a fun handmade toy idea you can make with an egg carton.
Unlike ordinary boxes, the bumpy, egg-shaped carton is the perfect piece of scrap material for crafting toys.
Since you can draw and stick things onto it—color it with permanent markers or glue on tissue paper—you can create all kinds of items!
Put beads or acorns inside and it transforms into a musical instrument that makes sound!
There are endless ways to play, so use this article as a guide and try making your own favorite toy!
Made from Egg Cartons! A Simple and Fun Collection of DIY Toy Ideas (1–10)
Egg carton maze
Think you can clear it right away? Here’s how to make an egg-carton maze.
You’ll need an egg carton, construction paper, colored paper, one marble, scissors, glue, a ruler, a pen, a craft knife, a stapler, cellophane tape, and vinyl tape.
Cut the construction paper to the same size as the egg carton and draw any path you like.
If you cut holes with a craft knife in paths the marble isn’t allowed to pass through, it makes the maze more challenging and fun! Be careful not to cut yourself with the craft knife, stapler, or the egg carton while you make it!
Snap stick
You just can’t help wanting to touch it! Here’s how to make a crackly stick.
What you’ll need: an egg carton, scissors, felt or other fabric, and rubber bands.
First, cut the egg carton in half.
Wrap the halved carton with felt by rolling it up, and secure both ends with rubber bands—that’s it! It looks perfect for infants’ sensory play or as a simple instrument.
You can also have fun adding touches like drawing with colored pens or decorating with curling ribbon.
Give it a try!
Magic of Light
Mini Art Museum! Here’s how to make a magic light craft using an egg carton.
You’ll need cardstock, tracing paper, an egg carton, cellophane tape, water-based markers, a craft knife, glue, scissors, and masking tape.
First, cut the cardstock and tracing paper to the same size as a halved egg carton.
Use the water-based markers to freely color the inside of the egg carton.
Drawing colorful lines and patterns will look wonderful! Glue the egg carton and cardstock together, and when you hold it up to the light, you’ll see a dreamy pattern.
Enjoy your very own mini art museum!
Origami Sticky Caterpillar
Three-dimensional and fun! Here’s how to make a sticky-note-style origami caterpillar.
You’ll need an egg carton, three colors of origami paper, a green pipe cleaner, round stickers, scissors, glue, and clear tape.
First, tear the three colors of origami paper into pieces.
Next, use glue to attach the torn paper onto a strip of egg carton that you’ve cut into a single row.
Finish by adding the pipe cleaner and round stickers with eyes drawn on for the face—and you’re done! Make a colorful caterpillar with your favorite origami colors!
Egg Carton Pom-Pom
Let me introduce a cute, pop-style handmade toy featuring colorful balls that bounce around.
First, stick colorful round stickers onto an egg carton.
Next, place small rolled felt balls or cotton balls into the egg cups to match the colors and numbers of the stickers, close the carton, and tape it shut—that’s it! Shake the egg carton and try to line up the balls so that each lands on the sticker of the same color.
Not only is it simple to make, but it’s also a wonderful educational toy that helps children develop color recognition and concentration.
Give it a try!
Shaka-shaka maracas
Enjoy making music with a homemade instrument! Here’s how to create a shaka-shaka maraca using an egg carton.
You’ll need an egg carton, cellophane tape, beads, items for decoration like washi tape, a pair of disposable chopsticks, and scissors.
First, decorate the chopsticks with washi tape or similar materials.
Next, use cellophane tape to firmly attach the chopsticks to the inside of the egg carton.
Then put beads or buttons into the egg carton and close it.
Seal it with cellophane tape so there are no gaps, and you’re done! It’s also fun to decorate the outside with stickers.
Give it a try!
Egg Train
Kids who love trains are sure to be thrilled! Here’s a train toy you can make with an egg carton.
Cut out all the bottoms of the egg cups, then place marbles in from the top.
Finally, close the carton and tape it shut—that’s it! When you slide it across the floor, it makes a sound like a real train running, and its unique movement looks just like a train too.
Make several and link them with a binder ring, or decorate them however you like to expand your train play even more! It’s quick to make with simple materials, so give it a try.
Egg carton mobile
Brighten up your ceiling and walls! Here’s how to make an egg carton mobile.
You will need an egg carton, permanent color markers, an iron, scissors, baking paper (parchment paper), nylon thread (fishing line), and clear tape.
First, cut the egg carton in half and color the inside with the markers.
Next, sandwich the egg carton between sheets of baking paper and flatten it with an iron, melting it slightly.
After that, cut it into any shapes you like with scissors, attach the nylon thread, and you’re done! It could be fun to create motifs that match the season, too.
Color Puzzle
You can make an educational toy by hand! Here’s how to create a color puzzle.
You’ll need a six-egg carton, a postcard, a pen, colored pencils in three colors, glue, plastic bottle caps, vinyl tape in three colors, and scissors.
First, draw lines on the postcard to make six squares.
Color two squares each in the three colors, and place the postcard on top of the egg carton.
Next, stack plastic bottle caps and wrap them with vinyl tape of one color to stick them together; make two of these.
Do the same for the other two colors to make two pieces each, and you’re done! It’s an educational toy where you place the pieces to match the colors on the postcard.
Give it a try!
Takoyaki shop
Have fun playing takoyaki shop! Here’s how to make a takoyaki play set.
You’ll need an egg carton, cardboard, clear tape, colored pens, origami paper, and scissors.
First, cut a hole in the cardboard to fit the egg carton, then tape the cardboard and egg carton together.
Next, roll up pieces of origami paper to make takoyaki balls and place them in the egg carton.
If you make toppings like beni-shoga (red pickled ginger) and nori (seaweed) out of origami paper, your takoyaki shop will feel even more realistic! Give it a try and have fun playing.