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)

tambourine

Let's hand-make a tambourine using a milk carton!

tambourine

With two milk cartons, you can make a tambourine.

Cut the cartons into strips, fold each strip into a triangle, and then combine six of them to form a hexagonal tambourine.

Punch holes along the edges and attach bells to finish it! It looks cute if you decorate the outside with colored paper or add stickers.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

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.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

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!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

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.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

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.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem