[Milk Carton Crafts] Fun ideas for elementary school kids. Perfect for summer vacation homework!

pokkuri

Nostalgic toy: milk carton stilts

Here’s a recommended craft idea for elementary school students taking on a summer vacation independent project: “pokkuri” (traditional walking clogs) made by reusing milk cartons.

All you need are milk cartons and string.

The steps are simple: make cuts at the four corners of a milk carton down to 7 cm from the bottom, then pack in another milk carton that has been accordion-folded.

Fold the four sides inward, leave two sides standing, punch holes in them, and thread and tie the string to make handles.

That’s it—your friendly, kid-favorite traditional toy is complete.

It’s not only fun, but also a great eco-friendly recycling craft.

coin purse

[Milk Carton Coin Purse] Sakura’s Craft Room 36 – Let’s make an easy wallet from a milk carton! Upcycle!

Let’s try making a coin case using the bottom part of a milk carton.

From the bottom of the milk carton, draw lines at 3.5 cm on three sides and at 7 cm on the remaining side, then cut along the lines with scissors.

The 7 cm side will be the lid, so crease both sides to fold them inward, make holes in the lid and the overlapping section below it with an awl or similar tool, and attach a snap fastener.

Snap fasteners are handy items that you can attach just by passing them through the holes and clicking them into place; you can find them at 100-yen shops.

Try decorating the milk carton with origami paper or stickers.

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utatane

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flip-flap changing picture

Even infants will love it! A flip-flap changing picture made from a milk carton

Pull the ends of a picture with an illustration and…

the image changes? It’s a fun “flip-flop” changing picture with a neat trick.

You might think the mechanism is complicated, but it’s actually easy—you just combine two milk cartons.

Prepare two milk cartons, open both, and cut off the top and bottom.

Fold one in half and make two slits.

Cut the other carton in half, then fold each half again, and insert them into the slits alternately, with the fold lines facing the center.

This creates a structure that opens when you insert your fingers in the middle.

By drawing different images on the inside and outside, it looks like the picture changes in an instant.

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utatane

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Paper airplane launcher

Let’s make a paper airplane launcher using a milk carton! This craft is amazingly simple and quick to make, and you only need items you likely already have at home: a milk carton, rubber bands, scissors, and a stapler.

First, open the milk carton and cut off the top and the bottom parts.

Staple a rubber band in the center, fold that section inward, fold any excess outward, and then fold a part to make a handle—that’s it.

Fold along the creases, stretch the rubber band and hook it over the opposite corner, set your paper airplane in the gap along the fold, and when you hold the handle and open the milk carton, the paper airplane will launch forward with great force.

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utatane

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Jump out! Wiggly-wiggly snake!

[Jack-in-the-Box with a Milk Carton] Pop Out! Wriggly Snake!

Let’s make a jack-in-the-box with a snake that jumps out, using milk cartons for both the insides and the box! Cut off the top and bottom of the milk carton.

You’ll use a utility knife to cut out the bottom, so handle it with great care.

Once the carton is a tube, draw a line 4.5 cm from the edge, cut with scissors, and make four rings of the same size.

Cut a slit in each of the four rings, decorate them by attaching origami paper, and hook rubber bands into the slits.

Connect the four rings together.

If you fold them up while the rubber bands are stretched, then let go—boing! They’ll pop out with a burst of energy.

Make a box out of a milk carton as well, and tuck the snake inside to surprise someone.

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utatane

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Conveyor Piggy Bank

Conveyor Belt Piggy Bank!! [Milk Carton Craft | Easy How-To] Elementary School | Karakuri (mechanism) | Summer Vacation | Cute

Turning the handle moves the conveyor belt, and by placing a coin on it and setting it in motion, the coin heads toward the piggy bank.

The parts at both ends of the conveyor are crucial: install them on a milk carton and use rubber bands to ensure they rotate smoothly while keeping the belt taut.

For the belt, copy paper is recommended because it moves easily, but you could also layer narrow strips of paper to create small catches that hook onto the items you place on it.

This is a craft project where you can add originality in the details, such as the spot where the transported items are caught.

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kappamaki

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buzzing top

[Wakuwaku-san’s Craft Workshop] Let’s make a “whirring spinning top” out of a milk carton!

Making a buzzing button spinner is super easy! Draw your favorite picture on a milk carton cut into a square, then use an awl to make holes and thread a string through.

Twist the string and pull, and the spinner will whirl with lots of energy.

Be sure an adult handles the part that uses the awl.

This craft is suited for lower to middle elementary school students.

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Tani Satoko

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