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!
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Let's make toys with milk cartons! Easy and fun DIY crafts! (21–30)
Infinity Cube made from a milk carton
The endlessly flippable infinity cube is so much fun, isn’t it? Let’s make one using milk cartons.
First, wash and dry the cartons, then prepare two cartons with the top and bottom cut off.
Cut each one into eight vertical strips to make 16 long, narrow pieces.
Next, use two pieces to make one cube.
There’s a trick to how the cubes are connected, so be careful not to connect them the wrong way.
Once you’ve connected them correctly, stick origami paper on top, and you’re done.
buzzing top
This is a buzz-top that spins round and round when you pull the string.
Prepare the bottom or mouth section of a milk carton and use an awl or similar tool to make two holes in the center.
Thread kitchen twine through the holes and tie it.
Twist the string as if winding the top, then pull—your buzz-top will spin vigorously! If the twine is hard to thread, wrap the end with cellophane tape to help it slide through.
A plain milk carton can look a bit dull, so let your child decorate it freely with pens and stickers.
gachapon
Gachapon machines that captivate kids and adults alike! How about making your own using everyday materials like milk cartons? It looks adorable and is perfect for summer vacation projects or crafts.
All you need are two milk cartons, a toilet paper roll, and other easy-to-find items.
Plus, you can learn how a gachapon mechanism works—two birds with one stone! If you prepare your own original design and capsule prizes, children will enjoy it even more.
The result will be so impressive, no one will believe it’s made from milk cartons!
A lantern shade cut out from a milk carton
Let’s make a lantern with a filigree-like look using a milk carton.
The finer the details, the more delicate your lantern will be.
First, open up the milk carton and cut off the top and bottom.
Once you have a rectangle, peel off the printed layer starting from the edge.
When it becomes plain white paper, draw any design you like on it and cut it out.
You can also draw pictures in the open spaces.
Cut the top edge into any shape you like, such as zigzags or waves.
Place it over an LED light and switch it on to finish.
Crane game made from a milk carton
A claw machine made by recycling milk cartons is an eco-friendly craft you can try with everyday materials.
First, open up the carton, cut it into the necessary shapes, and secure everything firmly with duct tape.
Next, create the part where the string will be tied, and staple the arm’s joints while devising how they connect.
Make holes in the control handle, thread the string through, tie it tightly, and reinforce it with duct tape.
Once finished, you’ll have a mechanism that lets you operate an arm moving up and down to grab prizes.
The light weight and easy workability unique to milk cartons are key features, making it perfect for doing with children.
It’s a fun idea that lets you enjoy a sense of accomplishment while playing.
Marble run with a milk carton and paper plates
Let’s make a spiral marble run using a milk carton and paper plates! First, cut off the spout and the bottom of the milk carton and turn it into a cylinder by removing the corners.
Next, cut out the center of a paper plate to make a donut shape, snip one spot to open it up, then make several cuts from the center hole outward.
Wrap these around the milk carton to form slide-like ramps.
It’s a good idea to roll a marble from time to time as you build to check that it rolls properly.
Finally, cut off the bottom third of a paper cup, attach it under the end of the slide, and use it as the catcher—then you’re done!
Marble coaster made from drawing paper and milk cartons
Let’s try making a complex marble run using a milk carton and construction paper! First, close the opening of the milk carton to make a complete cube, then wrap it with construction paper in any color you like.
Next, use construction paper to craft detailed tracks in various shapes.
Make different kinds of paths—curves, sharp angles, and zigzags.
Once the tracks are ready, attach them to the milk-carton cube however you like, and you’re done.
There are no rules for how to build the tracks, so create an original and fun course full of personality!