Let's make toys with milk cartons! Easy and fun DIY crafts!
Did you know you can make all kinds of toys using milk cartons?
In this article, we’ll introduce milk carton toys that babies and toddlers will love!
Many households recycle milk cartons, but they’re also often reused for kids’ crafts.
You’ll frequently see toys made by teachers at daycare centers and kindergartens, too.
Milk carton toys are great for little ones who haven’t learned to control their strength yet, because if they break, you can quickly make a new one.
They’re really easy to make, so give it a try!
Let's make toys with milk cartons! Simple and fun DIY crafts! (1–10)
rubber band gun
You can make a rubber band gun right away with just a rubber band and a stapler! Since the only cutting motion with the scissors is a straight vertical cut and there’s just one staple to put in, even kids can do it easily.
If you’re worried, you can have the children just draw on the pack.
There are lots of ways to enjoy it, like target practice or competing to see whose flies the farthest.
kaleidoscope
You can make a kaleidoscope using a milk carton and aluminum foil.
It’s a craft where you stick the foil onto the milk carton and enjoy the reflections of patterns drawn on construction paper.
Since the method for making the core involves firmly folding the milk carton, it might be difficult for small children.
If the child is very young, it may be best for an adult to prepare just the core in advance.
Cube puzzle
If you’re making something for slightly older kids, cube puzzles are a great choice.
Use the bottom half of milk cartons to make cubes, line them up, and turn them into a puzzle.
The pictures can be anything—favorite characters, numbers—whatever works! You can start with as few as four cubes for a smaller version, so the size is completely flexible.
Try adjusting it to suit the child’s age.
Kendama
When you think of kendama, most are made of wood or plastic, but you can make one from a milk carton too! Use the spout end as the cup, and cut the bottom half into strips to form the ball.
Since there’s a lot of scissor work, please supervise closely.
The ball is light, so there’s little risk of injury if it hits something—making this a safe kendama!
Pac‑Pac Puppet
The Pac-Pac Puppet is a milk carton puppet that can also be used for puppet shows! The work is quite detailed, so it’s a bit advanced to make with children, but once it’s finished, kids are sure to be captivated.
There are many steps, but you can create lots of variations like crocodiles, wolves, and more.
flute
You can actually make a whistle out of a milk carton! Since each step involves fine work, it might be best suited for older kindergarteners who are used to crafts.
Because it’s a bit challenging—like distinguishing where to cut and where to just fold—adult support is necessary.
Rather than doing it with a whole group, it’s recommended for crafting at home or in small groups.
Frisbee
You can combine two milk cartons to make a dynamic frisbee! Since the scissor work is a bit detailed, it’s a good idea for an adult to draw the cut lines beforehand.
Make lots of slits and secure them with double-sided tape to finish.
If you draw on the cartons before cutting, you can turn it into a patterned frisbee too.
yo-yo
You can make the yo-yos you often see at festival stalls using a milk carton! The steps are few and simple, so even small children can make them easily.
You will use scissors, but you only cut straight lines—no tricky cuts.
The hole for threading the rubber band needs to be made with a needle, so an adult should make that part.
pokkuri
When you’ve collected six milk cartons, let’s make clogs (pokkuri).
Cut slits into two cartons to create the main bodies, and fold the remaining four to use as internal stuffing.
If you don’t have enough milk cartons, it’s fine to stuff them with cardboard instead! You can race with the clogs or try lots of other ways to play.
spinning top
You can make a spinning top out of a milk carton.
Open the bottom part in a cross shape and cut it out like a flower.
If you draw directly on the carton or stick on some cute origami paper, it will look colorful when it spins.
As long as you have a button for the axle and a plastic bottle cap for the handle, anyone can make it easily!