Cardboard Castle(Ages 5-16)
Upcycle a cardboard box into a castle with a drawbridge! Make the castle shown here, and then Invite your friends over to help make designs of your own.
TV Puppet Theater(Ages 5-9)
What child wouldn't love the chance to star in their very own TV show starring their favorite stuffed animals? Set the stage for hours of creative play with nothing more than a large piece of poster board (or a big cardboard box), some tape, and a handful of markers. Then microwave some popcorn and settle in for an entertaining afternoon of puppet theater!
Cardboard Rocket Ready for Launch(Ages 5-8)
Blast off to outer space with this sleek, silver rocket made from a cardboard mailing tube, colorful fabric, and metallic paint. Once the paint dries and you're ready for launch, an afternoon of outer space adventure awaits!
Marble Maze(Ages 5-11)
Empty box? Boring. Your own tilt-to-play game? A-maze-ing. Design the straw path, add obstacles, and drop in a marble to play. Then, once you’re a maze-solving expert, just mix up the straws to design a brand-new level. Score!
Tilt-to-Win(Ages 3-8)
Make your own arcade game with a few simple supplies!
Ice Cream Balloons(Ages 5-16)
Everyone loves ice cream! Try out this simple DIY project for birthday party decor, or for fun ice cream parlor play. With a balloon and some paper, you can create any flavor of ice cream imaginable. Plus, it will never turn into a sticky, melted mess.
Feelings Friend(Ages 3-8)
Create a doll that changes expressions to show different feelings!
Mouse Hole Roll(Ages 3-11)
Don't wait for the carnival to come to town! If you've got markers, paint, scissors, and an old cardboard box laying around, you've got everything you need to make your very own carnival game. Your kids will have as much fun decorating their version of Mouse Hole Roll as they will playing it afterwards, and since you cut the holes yourself you can tailor the difficulty for any age. No carnival tricks here, that's a promise!
Cardboard Marble Run(Ages 5-11)
Looking for a way to up cycle all those cardboard towel rolls piling up in your recycling bin? Try building this homemade marble run! Using a large piece of poster board or an old cardboard box, create and decorate your very own racetrack before putting it to the test with an epic marble grand prix.
Box Toss(Ages 9-16)
Inspired by the game of Corn Hole, this simple tossing contest uses recycled cardboard boxes (or KiwiCo crates!) Set up in the backyard and see who gets the most points. For tossing objects, try whiffle balls, ping pong balls or even walnuts!
10 Creative Cardboard Crafts for Kids
Summer's here! That means school's out, the kids are home, and we have a new list of creative cardboard crafts to help your children stay active, creative, and engaged. Whether you're stuck inside avoiding a heat wave or looking to make the most of a sunny day in your backyard, this list of our favorite cardboard crafts will help you make the most of these long summer days. Recycle old shoe boxes into colorful carnival games, turn an old cardboard box into a make believe television set, build your own marble race track out of cardboard tubes and poster board, or blast off to space with our DIY rocket! Whatever you choose, it's sure to encourage hours of crafty, imaginative, and active play for kids of all ages.