30 DIY Cardboard Toys [Make Within Minutes]

Have you ever found yourself surrounded by piles of cardboard and wondered what to do with them?

I know that feeling all too well. That’s why I’m excited to share some creative DIY cardboard toy ideas with you.

These projects not only help reduce waste but also provide endless fun for kids.

Let’s dive into it!

DIY Cardboard Toys

Cardboard toys are fun and creative playthings made from sturdy paperboard. They come in various shapes, like cars, houses, and animals, allowing kids to build and enjoy their own unique designs.

These toys are easy to make and can be decorated with paints and stickers, adding a personal touch.

Not only are cardboard toys environmentally friendly, as they can be recycled, but they also spark imagination and encourage hands-on play.

They are a wonderful way for children to explore their creativity while having endless fun.

1. Cardboard Spaceship Helmet

Credit: @cardboardfolk

This cardboard spaceship helmet is a fun and creative project for kids. To make it, you will need a large cardboard box, scissors, a craft knife, and some markers for decoration.

Cut out a rectangular piece for the front and shape it to fit comfortably over the child’s head.

Add details like circular ear pieces and a visor using additional pieces of cardboard.

Secure all parts with glue or tape. Let your child decorate the helmet with markers to add their personal touch.

2. Cardboard Dog House

Credit: @cardboardfolk

The cardboard dog house is a miniature playhouse perfect for toy dogs. To create this, you need cardboard sheets, a ruler, a pencil, scissors, and glue.

Measure and cut out the base, walls, roof, and door opening.

Assemble the house by gluing the pieces together. Add a small cardboard sign and draw paw prints for decoration.

This project is great for encouraging imaginative play and can be customized with paint or markers.

3. Cardboard Bunny Family

Credit: @cardboardfolk

These adorable cardboard bunnies are made from toilet paper rolls and colored paper. To make them, you need toilet paper rolls, colored paper, scissors, glue, and markers.

Wrap the rolls in colored paper and glue them in place. Cut out ears and facial features from paper and attach them to the rolls.

Draw faces with markers to give each bunny a unique expression. This craft is simple and perfect for young children to enjoy.

4. Cardboard Barn House

Credit: @cardboardfolk

The cardboard barn house is an engaging project for kids who love farm animals. You need cardboard sheets, a ruler, a pencil, scissors, and glue.

Cut out the base, walls, roof, windows, and doors. Assemble the barn by gluing the pieces together.

Add details like barn doors and windows with additional cardboard pieces.

You can also decorate the barn with paint or markers to make it more realistic. This craft provides hours of fun for children.

5. Cardboard Telephone

Credit: @cardboardfolk

This cardboard telephone is a nostalgic toy that kids can create and play with.

To make it, you need cardboard sheets, a craft knife, a ruler, a pencil, and glue. Cut out the base, handset, and rotary dial from the cardboard.

Assemble the pieces and glue them together. Draw numbers on the dial with a marker.

You can add a string to connect the handset to the base for an authentic touch. This project is simple and encourages imaginative play.

6. Cardboard Doll Wardrobe

Credit: @cardboardfolk

The cardboard doll wardrobe is a delightful addition to any dollhouse. To make it, you need cardboard sheets, a ruler, a pencil, scissors, glue, and small hangers.

Cut out the wardrobe’s base, walls, shelves, and doors. Assemble the wardrobe by gluing the pieces together.

Add small hangers for doll clothes and a mirror made from reflective paper.

Decorate the wardrobe with paint or markers to make it look stylish. This craft is perfect for organizing doll accessories.

7. Cardboard Washing Machine

Credit: @cardboardfolk

This cardboard washing machine is a fun and interactive toy for kids. You need a large cardboard box, a craft knife, scissors, glue, and markers.

Cut out a circular door on the front and add details like knobs and buttons using additional cardboard pieces.

Glue all parts together and let your child decorate the washing machine with markers.

This project provides a great opportunity for role-playing and imaginative play.

8. Cardboard Pizza Oven

Credit: @cardboardfolk

The cardboard pizza oven is a creative project that kids will love. You need cardboard sheets, a craft knife, scissors, glue, and markers.

Cut out the base, walls, and arch for the oven opening. Assemble the pieces by gluing them together.

Add details like bricks and a chimney with additional cardboard pieces. Draw a fire inside the oven with markers.

This craft encourages imaginative play and can be used to pretend-cook cardboard pizzas.

9. Cardboard Jetpack

Credit: @cardboardfolk

This cardboard jetpack is a thrilling toy for adventurous kids. To make it, you need cardboard tubes, a large cardboard sheet, scissors, glue, and markers.

Cut out the base and attach the tubes as rocket boosters. Add straps made from cardboard or fabric for wearing the jetpack.

Decorate the jetpack with flames and details using markers. This craft encourages active play and sparks imagination.

10 Cardboard Sailboat

Credit: @cardboardfolk

The cardboard sailboat is a charming toy that kids can make and play with. You need cardboard sheets, a craft knife, scissors, glue, and markers.

Cut out the boat’s base, sides, and sail. Assemble the pieces by gluing them together.

Add a mast and a small flag using additional cardboard pieces. Decorate the sailboat with markers or paint.

This project is perfect for storytelling and imaginative play, especially with small toy figures.

11. Cardboard Sloth

Credit: @cardboardfolk

This adorable cardboard sloth is perfect for hanging on a branch. To make it, you need a toilet paper roll, corrugated cardboard, paint, and glue.

Paint the face and body on the toilet paper roll. Cut out limbs from corrugated cardboard and attach them to the roll using glue.

Ensure the arms are long enough to hang from a small branch or stick.

This simple project encourages imaginative play and is a fun addition to any play area.

12. Cardboard Shopping Cart

Credit: @cardboardfolk

This cardboard shopping cart is a delightful toy for kids to pretend play. You need cardboard sheets, a craft knife, scissors, glue, and markers.

Cut out the base, sides, handle, and wheels from the cardboard.

Assemble the cart by gluing the pieces together, ensuring the wheels can rotate. Decorate the cart with markers or paint.

This project is great for role-playing and helps children develop social skills through imaginative play.

13. Cardboard Puppet Theater

Credit: @cardboardfolk

Create a fun cardboard puppet theater for storytelling. You need a cardboard box, scissors, glue, and markers. Cut out a large window on one side of the box to create the stage.

Decorate the box with markers, adding designs like stars and moons. Create puppets from felt or paper and attach them to sticks.

This craft encourages creativity and can be used for endless puppet shows, providing hours of entertainment.

14. Cardboard Play Cafe

Credit: @cardboardfolk

This cardboard play cafe setup is perfect for role-playing games. You need cardboard sheets, a craft knife, scissors, glue, and paint.

Cut out the base, walls, and windows for the cafe. Assemble the pieces by gluing them together.

Add details like a counter, menu board, and play kitchen items using additional cardboard pieces.

Decorate the cafe with paint to make it vibrant. This craft fosters social interaction and imaginative play.

15. Cardboard Alphabet Craft

Credit: @cardboardfolk

This educational cardboard alphabet craft is great for learning letters. You need cardboard sheets, beans or beads, glue, and markers.

Cut out squares of cardboard and write a letter on each one. Glue beans or beads onto the letters to create a tactile learning experience.

This craft is not only fun but also helps children develop fine motor skills and letter recognition.

16. Cardboard Finger Puppets

Credit: @cardboardfolk

These charming cardboard finger puppets are easy to make and fun to play with. You need cardboard pieces, wooden beads, glue, and markers.

Cut out small figures from the cardboard and attach wooden beads as heads. Decorate the figures with markers, adding faces and clothing details.

Glue the figures onto rings made from cardboard to fit on fingers. This craft is perfect for storytelling and imaginative play.

17. Cardboard Ship

Credit: @cardboardfolk

This cardboard ship is a wonderful toy for water-themed play. You need cardboard sheets, a craft knife, scissors, glue, and markers.

Cut out the base, sides, and details like windows and lifeboats from the cardboard.

Assemble the ship by gluing the pieces together. Decorate the ship with paint or markers.

This project is great for imaginative play and can be used in a sensory bin with water elements for added fun.

18. Cardboard Bunny Bus

Credit: @cardboardfolk

This cardboard bunny bus is a cute and playful toy. You need cardboard sheets, a craft knife, scissors, glue, and markers.

Cut out the bus shape, wheels, and bunny ears from the cardboard. Assemble the bus by gluing the pieces together, ensuring the wheels can rotate.

Decorate the bus with bunny features using markers or paint. This craft encourages imaginative play and is perfect for little ones.

19. Cardboard Butterfly Wings

Credit: @cardboardfolk

These cardboard butterfly wings are perfect for dress-up and imaginative play. You need cardboard sheets, scissors, glue, and markers.

Cut out large wing shapes from the cardboard and add designs with markers.

Attach the wings to straps made from cardboard or fabric to wear like a backpack.

Decorate the wings with paint or markers to make them colorful. This craft is great for pretend play and encourages creativity.

20. Cardboard Hot Air Balloon Chalkboard

Credit: @cardboardfolk

This cardboard hot air balloon chalkboard is both fun and functional. You need cardboard sheets, chalkboard paint, a brush, scissors, glue, and markers.

Cut out a hot air balloon shape from the cardboard and paint the surface with chalkboard paint.

Attach a small cardboard basket at the bottom. Decorate the balloon with markers or paint.

This craft provides a unique space for drawing and writing, encouraging artistic expression.

21. Cardboard Wreath Activity

Credit: @cardboardfolk

This cardboard wreath activity is perfect for toddlers. To make it, you need a cardboard sheet, a marker, scissors, and colorful wooden discs.

Draw a wreath outline on the cardboard and cut out small holes. Let your child decorate the wreath by placing the discs in the holes.

This activity helps develop fine motor skills and can be used for different seasonal themes by changing the decorations.

22. Cardboard Bunny Bus

Credit: @cardboardfolk

The cardboard bunny bus is an adorable playhouse for kids. You need a large cardboard box, scissors, glue, and markers.

Cut out windows and doors in the box. Add bunny ears on the top and draw bunny features on the sides.

Use additional cardboard pieces to create wheels. This playhouse is great for imaginative play and can be customized with your child’s favorite colors.

23. Cardboard Garden Art

Credit: @cardboardfolk

Create a beautiful garden art piece using cardboard and paper. You need an egg carton, colored paper, scissors, glue, and markers.

Cut out flower shapes from the colored paper and decorate them with markers. Attach the flowers to the egg carton using glue.

Add grass and other garden details. This craft is perfect for springtime and encourages creativity.

24. Cardboard Camera

Credit: @cardboardfolk

This cardboard camera is a fun prop for pretend play. To make it, you need a small cardboard box, a plastic bottle cap, a strap, glue, and markers.

Cut out a rectangle from the box for the lens and attach the bottle cap. Add a strap to the camera using glue.

Decorate the camera with markers. This simple craft is perfect for little photographers.

25. Cardboard Igloo

Credit: @cardboardfolk

The cardboard igloo is a cozy playhouse for winter-themed fun. You need large cardboard sheets, a craft knife, scissors, glue, and white paint.

Cut out the base, walls, and roof pieces. Assemble the igloo by gluing the pieces together.

Add details like snow blocks with white paint. This craft is great for imaginative play and can be used as a cozy reading nook.

26. Cardboard Playhouse

Credit: @cardboardfolk

This cardboard playhouse is perfect for kids who love pretend play. You need large cardboard boxes, a craft knife, scissors, glue, and markers.

Cut out windows, doors, and roof pieces. Assemble the playhouse by gluing the pieces together.

Add details like window boxes and roof shingles with additional cardboard pieces. Decorate the playhouse with markers. This project provides hours of fun.

27. Cardboard Baby Cradle

Credit: @cardboardfolk

This cardboard baby cradle is a delightful toy for kids. To make it, you need cardboard sheets, scissors, glue, and fabric for the handles.

Cut out the base, sides, and legs for the cradle. Assemble the pieces by gluing them together.

Add handles using fabric strips. Decorate the cradle with markers or paint. This craft is perfect for role-playing and caring for dolls.

28. Cardboard Play Kitchen

Credit: @bright_little_brains

This cardboard play kitchen is a wonderful addition to any playroom. You need cardboard boxes, plastic bowls, glue, and markers.

Cut out shapes for the sink, stove, and oven from the cardboard.

Assemble the pieces by gluing them together. Add details like knobs, burners, and a faucet with additional cardboard pieces.

Decorate the kitchen with paint or markers. This craft encourages imaginative play and cooking pretend meals.

29. Cardboard Airplane

Credit: @margaretamiranti

The cardboard airplane is a fun toy for aspiring pilots. You need cardboard sheets, a craft knife, scissors, glue, and paint. Cut out the wings, body, and propeller from the cardboard.

Assemble the airplane by gluing the pieces together. Add details like windows and stripes with paint.

This craft encourages imaginative play and can be customized with your child’s favorite colors.

30. Cardboard Flower

Credit: @_simply_bea_

Create a colorful cardboard flower for a fun craft project. You need cardboard sheets, scissors, glue, and paint. Cut out petals and a stem from the cardboard.

Decorate the petals with colorful paint. Attach the petals to the stem using glue.

Add leaves for a finishing touch. This craft is simple and brightens up any space with its cheerful design.