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! (31–40)
milk carton
This is a spinning top made from an opened milk carton, with four wings spread out in all directions.
As you cut each wing, try to keep them the same size and aim for a shape that spins more easily.
To improve spin, cut the tips of the wings at an angle and attach a plastic bottle cap in the center as the axle.
It’s recommended to build it with the inside (white side) of the carton facing up, as it makes pen decorations easier.
To keep the wings straight and stable, you can also reinforce them by layering thick paper or cardboard.
Let’s make a puzzle with a milk carton
If you want to make a puzzle using items you have at home, why not try making one with milk cartons? Here are two types of puzzles.
The first is a puzzle where you match colors and patterns.
Connect three ring-shaped milk carton loops and rotate them to form a square, matching the colors and patterns as you play.
The second uses four block-shaped milk cartons connected together to complete a picture by aligning the pieces.
Both are great ideas for infants and toddlers, so give them a try!
Cute shaved ice piggy bank
https://www.tiktok.com/@n.annlee321/video/7264136172731944194Here’s an idea for a shaved-ice coin bank made from a milk carton.
It’s adorable because a little face pops out when you put a coin in.
Prepare a small milk carton and peel off the outer printed layer so it’s white.
Cut the spout into a mountain shape.
Draw the syrup part with a pen, attach an iridescent (aurora) sheet, and create the slot for inserting coins.
Next, pierce a rotating cardboard piece with a bamboo skewer and fix it inside the milk carton.
Thread the face piece onto the part of the skewer that sticks out of the carton and glue it in place, then decorate the other end with beads.
Attach thick paper around it to hide the skewer, and close the spout to finish.
Milk Carton Denden Daiko (Japanese hand drum)
Let’s make a very simple den-den daiko (Japanese pellet drum)! As preparation, please wash an empty milk carton thoroughly and let it dry.
First, cut the carton about three centimeters up from the bottom.
When you cut, leave one side uncut.
Punch holes in the top and bottom of the carton, insert a pair of chopsticks to serve as the handle, and secure them.
Next, punch holes on the left and right sides, thread yarn tied to paper clips through the holes, and tape the ends on the inside.
Once that’s done, trim the side you left uncut to a suitable length, close it to form a neat box, and tape it shut—that’s it! It’s so easy that even kids can give it a try!
[Upcycled] Jenga-style with milk cartons
![[Upcycled] Jenga-style with milk cartons](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Lv9yFbN6uf8/sddefault.jpg)
It’s a milk-carton Jenga that keeps you on the edge of your seat, wondering when it will collapse! First, color the sides of the milk carton.
Try using paints, pens, or colored paper—whatever you like.
Next, cut off the bottom, flatten the carton, and slice it into rings.
Once you’re done, stack the ring pieces and start playing.
Kids are sure to be thrilled as the Jenga tower grows taller and taller! An adult should handle cutting off the bottom with a utility knife, and be very careful to keep the blade away from hands.
Let’s make toys with milk cartons! Simple and fun DIY crafts! (41–50)
Chomp Chomp Castanets
Let’s handcraft castanets—star performers in any ensemble—using a milk carton.
Cut the milk carton into pieces sized for the top and bottom parts of the castanets, and glue construction paper on the outside.
From here, it’s the kids’ turn! Have them freely draw animals or their favorite characters on the construction paper.
Tearing paper for collage or decorating with stickers will also make it look great.
Next, use an awl to make holes, thread a chenille stem (pipe cleaner) cut to a length that fits a finger, and attach plastic bottle caps on the inside so they make a clicking sound.
Your original castanets are complete!
Floating Sea Otter
Introducing a cute otter toy you can make from a milk carton! Milk cartons are sturdy even when wet, so you can float it in the bath and play.
First, cut the milk carton in half, leaving about 2–3 cm above the bottom.
Open the cut section and use a permanent marker to draw the otter’s face and limbs on the sides.
Cut along the outlines, then attach a plastic bottle cap—like a seashell—to the otter’s hands and the inside of the carton, and you’re done! Tapping the bottle caps, which look like shells, makes a castanet-like sound, so it’s super fun and highly recommended!
