Lovely handmade crafts

Let's make toys with milk cartons! Easy and fun DIY crafts!

Deputy Editor of RAG MUSICsasashina
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSIC. JFC-certified fact-checker. I’m Sasashina, a mom currently raising an elementary schooler and a preschooler. During my student years at Kyoto College of Science and Technology, I studied a wide range of fields including sound, lighting, and video technology, building a foundation in comprehensive stage production and creative expression. After graduation, I joined a music production company, where I still work, consistently building experience in production and engaging in a variety of music-centered tasks. Currently, I mainly handle articles for children, drawing on what I’ve learned about parenting and what I feel and discover through daily interactions with my kids. I hope my work can be of help to you, even in a small way!

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! (11–20)

bamboo-copter

Easy Milk Carton Craft for Kids: How to Make a Milk Carton Bamboo Copter

bamboo-copter

A taketombo (bamboo-copter) is a simple toy that kids love.

You only need a straw and a milk carton, and it’s easy to make! Cut the milk carton to the size of the rotor blades, insert it into a slit in the straw, and secure it—that’s it.

The only thing to watch is the angle you bend the blades.

It flies really well, so it’s great for outdoor play.

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paper sumo

Ready, set—milk carton! Crab sumo

paper sumo

Paper sumo made from milk cartons is more exciting than the origami version.

You can use the top part of the carton to make a crab figurine.

By folding the carton, you can angle the legs so it can walk sideways, which kids love.

If you turn an empty box inside out, glue on some cardstock, and make a ring to play on, it gets really lively!

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fishing set

Fishing play set made from a milk carton

fishing set

If you’re playing with a group, a fishing set is recommended! It’s a game where you catch fish made from milk cartons—easy to make by just cutting them out—using a fishing rod made from disposable chopsticks.

To make the rod, you’ll also need twine (kite string) or pipe cleaners in addition to the chopsticks.

Since the fish go in water, oil-based markers are best for drawing on them.

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train

Let's make a milk carton train and play conductor

train

If your child likes playing with trains, we recommend making a train out of milk cartons.

The only tricky part is punching holes for the couplers and threading the string—after that, they can design the train however they like.

Using colored paper or drawing with markers are both great options! If you have time, making tracks as well will make playtime even more fun.

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ball

[Milk Carton Craft] How to Make a Ball

ball

The ball is a bit on the difficult side among milk carton crafts.

Cut the carton into thin strips, stack two together, and secure them with double-sided tape.

You then weave the bundle by hand, so it’s recommended for times when parents and children can take their time crafting together.

A ball made from a milk carton is safe to play with indoors.

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Milk Carton Stacking Game

Here’s a super easy activity you can do with a milk carton! Guaranteed laughs—this one’s a hit! The Stacking Game! #DayService #ActivitiesForSeniors #Elderly #Seniors #Recreation #Rehabilitation #shorts

Milk Carton Stacking Game

The “Tsumitsumi Game,” made by cutting a milk carton into thin strips, is a simple handmade game you can enjoy with everyday materials.

Players take turns stacking the cut pieces and compete to see how high they can build without toppling the stack.

It’s great for young children to develop fine motor skills, and it also challenges adults’ concentration and sense of balance, making it fun across a wide range of ages.

With simple rules, it’s easy to play in a short time and is recommended for family or friends.

The satisfaction of a successful stack and the funny mishaps when it collapses make for lots of laughs.

Its appeal also lies in the convenience of using recyclable materials and the freedom to change how you play with a bit of creativity.

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Let's make toys with milk cartons! Easy and fun DIY crafts! (21–30)

Creeper made from a milk carton

[Elementary School Summer Crafts & Independent Research] Make a Creeper from a Milk Carton—with a Head-Popping Mechanism!

Creeper made from a milk carton

Minecraft is a hugely popular game among kids.

Creepers are characters that appear in Minecraft and explode when they get close to the player.

Let’s make a craft that captures that feature using an empty milk carton.

Besides a milk carton, prepare green plastic bottle caps, bamboo skewers, and oil-based clay as well.

Cut the milk carton and wrap it with green vinyl tape to make the Creeper’s body.

Then cut the body section further and attach parts.

Use another milk carton for the head along with vinyl string or rubber bands to create a mechanism that “explodes.” Because kids use fine motor skills to build it, it helps improve their concentration.

Once it’s finished and displayed at school, you can almost hear friends saying, “Wow, that’s awesome!”

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