KiwiCo product designer, Melissa, found her kids putting on a concert with their crates! To do the same, stand up your crates vertically and add some paper circles to make “speakers”. Then use string or yarn to connect the speakers to the DJ booth and create a turntable on top with plates! Turn on some music and have a dance party!
Mini Foosball(Ages 9-16)
Make your own mini-sized and portable foosball game with easily found materials. Create a whole set of players to complete your team! Once you are ready to go, grab a friend and start the fun!
Gather up some spare crafting supplies and make a unique indoor garden. For this version, turn the box on its side, paint the flap, and fill it with handmade felt succulents and creatures made out of airdry clay. For a luminous touch, add fairy lights.
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.
If you enjoy sewing, turn your crate into a sewing basket. With some assistance from an adult you can make holes in the cardboard and sew through them. Try adding various pockets and storage compartments. For an extra dash of color you can glue a layer of paper or fabric to the interior.
Mini Trampoline(Ages 5-16)
Have you ever seen the magic trick where someone yanks the tablecloth off a table, and all the dishes and silverware stay in place? Well, it’s not magic - it actually happens because of inertia! Inertia is a physical property of all objects. Because of inertia, a thing will stay at rest (or keep moving how it’s moving) unless it’s pushed or pulled by something else. Otherwise, it’ll stay put, like all the dishes and silverware on the table.
This slow-motion demonstration has way less potential for a plate-breaking mess, and it’s an amazing way to see inertia in action. Try it out!
Whack-A-Groundhog(Ages 5-8)
Celebrate Groundhog Day with a DIY whack-a-mole toy!
Download the printable here.
DIY Guitar(Ages 3-8)
Over the years, we've found so many different uses for our crates. From extra storage containers to crafty DIY activities, the ideas are endless! Here's another activity to renew, reuse, and recycle them. Try building this adorable guitar! All you'll need is a few odds around the house and a love for music!
Conveyor Belt Cinema(Ages 9-16)
Use a small-scale conveyor belt to create a cinematic experience! Download the printables here: background image & still image.
10 Creative Ways to Upcycle Your KiwiCo Crate
Cardboard is an awesome building material that is recyclable and biodegradable. It’s durable and protective, but it’s also easy to bend and cut. As kids (and cats) know, sometimes a cardboard box is as fun as the thing that came in it! Here are some creative ways you can reuse your crates.