25 Fun Cardboard Crafts, Games & Activities for Kids
We’ve got a pile of boxes leftover from the holidays taking up space in the basement. We’re headed to the recycling center soon but I’d still like to make use of some of the boxes. I think it’s important for my kids to understand that recycling is important but so is reusing and repurposing things. These cardboard crafts are perfect for occupying the kids, especially on those cold, snowy or rainy days. You and your kids are going to love these cardboard crafts, games and activities.
Cardboard Crafts, Games & Activities
Learning to tell time is an important skill. Get kids excited about learning when they craft their very own clock out of cardboard.
Keep the kids occupied on a rainy day by designing your own board game. Get active, practice everyday skills, and have fun with this easy homemade boardgame.
What kid wouldn't love cooking up a storm in their very own kid-sized kitchen. It's easy to make with a cardboard box and a bit of paint and will provide hours of fun.
How To Make Your Own Cardboard Box Fish Tank: Fine Motor Activities For Toddlers
Not ready for a real pet yet? Make a cardboard fish tank with your toddler and practice fine motor skills as they maneuver the chunky buttons and slots.
Inspire imaginative play with this fun and easy pirate spyglass craft. You be ready to sail the high seas in search of treasure.
How to... Make a DIY Pirate Ship - Red Ted Art - Make crafting with kids easy & fun
Do you know what you need to go with your Pirate Spyglass? A pirate ship! Ahoy!
Teach your kids about light refraction (rainbows!) with simple, everyday materials. Make your own homemade spectroscope!
Cardboard Tube Binoculars: the perfect spring and summer time kid's craft
Grab a few toilet paper rolls and make a set of binoculars. This camp craft can be used for bird watching and exploring and will encourage your kids to get outdoors.
This DIY Mini Travel Game is easy to make with a small cardboard box and cardstock! Make 2 travel sized games: Marble Maze & Tic, Tac, Toe.
Looking for an out-of-this-world craft to do with your kids? Everyone will love these Buzz Lightyear inspired rockets made from cardboard tubes and craft paper.
Let your creativity shine with this cardboard tube fish art project. Explore different materials and mediums and create a fish that's as unique as you are!
Explore a world that's magical and mystical with your own cardboard tube unicorn.
Old cardboard boxes make great forts for kids and them a chance to be creative with their design.
This fire breathing cardboard tube dragon craft is an easy kids craft to celebrate the Chinese New Year! Simply blow into the end of the tube to make the paper flames move. Your little dragon fan will love this interactive dragon craft!
Make these cute and easy GIANT DIY greeting cards! Yup. These are the extremely large cousins of your typical grocery store cards. Aren’t they a hoot?
Make a cardboard craft that's for the birds. Your kids will enjoy making these bird feeders and then watching all of the birds that come into your yard.
This cardboard skee ball game is great for energetic children. Also, this easy-to-assemble cardboard arcade game is fun to make as well as fun to play for the whole family!
If your kids love nerf guns, they are going to love using boxes and other household items to build blinds and targets for hours of fun nerf play.
Have your kids been begging for a dollhouse? Get ready to make their dreams come true! Grab some old boxes and a roll of tape and build a custom doll house.
This fun DIY Cardboard project will add some holiday cheer to your home. The best part is that these cardboard gingerbread houses don't use any candy!
Use leftover boxes and cardboard tubes to make a parking garage for all of your toy cars! Add extra cardboard to make roads for even more fun.
Head outside for a Bigfoot race! How do you do that? Make Bigfoot feet out of cardboard, of course!
Making a marble run out of cardboard is a great way to spark creativity and encourage problem-solving skills.
Kids that love to paint and enjoy playing makeup and getting their nails done are going to love this fun cardboard nail salon. Watch their creativity shine!
If your kids love trains and cars, they will love this exciting and easy project that combines roads and tunnels for loads of fun play.
Want more crafty ideas? Check out our list of toilet paper roll crafts too!
Which cardboard crafts are you most excited to try? Tell us in the comments.
MEET AMANDA
Amanda is a mom of 4 living a mostly crunchy lifestyle outside of Atlanta, GA with her husband, 2 dogs, and a cat. As a former special education teacher who also has her personal training certification — Amanda really enjoys teaching others how to do things!
When she’s not working, Amanda enjoys DIY projects, exercising, photography, hiking, and long walks through Target.
