15 Cardboard Crafts for Kids

1. DIY Robot Costume

This cardboard art project is one of my favorites! First, I gathered empty cardboard boxes and cut out a hole for the arms and head. Next, my kids covered the box in duct tape and random objects found in our garage to make fun robot costumes that inspired hours of pretend play!

2. Sticky Cardboard Nature Hunt

Sticky nature hunts are fun for all seasons because the collection will look different each time! Use a sturdy piece of cardboard wrapped in sticky paper to head outdoors and make cardboard art that looks beautiful.

3. Box Plant Maze

Gather the boxes and a plant to determine what living things need to grow. This is a fun science experiment for preschoolers and older kids.

4. ABC Bingo

Use a cardboard tissue box as a container to find letters to match on the paper. This learning activity is so great for all ages! It was helpful for my oldest to practice letter sounds, helpful for my preschooler to recognize letter symbols, AND helpful for my toddler to see the lines and curves that form letters.

5. Box Tree Art

When I saw this cardboard box Christmas tree craft, I just knew we had to run to our recycle bin and get started immediately. This is cardboard crafting at the highest level – it involves painting, building, and creative thinking!

6. Cardboard Name Build

Take the letters in your preschooler’s name and mix them up for letter recognition and sequencing. The letters of your child’s name mean something to them, which helps the letters stick. 

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7. Coin Bank

You MUST make this DIY coin bank out of a cardboard milk carton. This Kindergarten money activity helps older kids learn coin counting, values, and worth – BIG win!

8. DIY Board Game 

Use this very hungry caterpillar counting board with this hungry caterpillar activity to introduce early math problems and number recognition. This Very Hungry Caterpillar count-up will feel like a fun game outside, yet inside, it packs powerful learning through play punch.

9. DIY Track Large Box Activity

Save those large boxes! This giant cardboard box car track was not only quick and easy to make, but it inspired the imaginative play with toy cars that my boys always crave.

10. Drive and Drop Toddler Box

This is as simple as it looks! Cutting a hole in a box for your child to drive cars into is the perfect way to entertain your toddler at home.

11. Easter Painting Activity

Recycled cardboard and some paints are all it took to get this simple Easter art project started, and a quiet hum going in the kitchen. Easter or any occasion, cardboard makes a terrific canvas! 

12. Giant Tic-Tac-Toe

I personally love painter’s tape and cardboard. So why not combine the two for giant tic-tac-toe! My five-year-old loves to think about his next move, and he also loves to win. Sound familiar? This means he could use some practice losing (hello, life skill!).

13. Jingle Bell Drop

Jingle Bell Drop is a fun Christmas activity for kids during the holiday season. Use cereal boxes, painter’s tape, and any other supplies on hand to help boost problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and STEM learning!

14. Movement Cube 

Movement cube for my active preschoolers? Tell me more! I can assure you that one thing preschoolers (and moms) need to do is MOVE. And this is exactly what this movement cube activity encourages!

15. Outdoor Cardboard Dice

Wondering what you can do with sidewalk chalk? This outdoor game uses chalk, a recycled carboard box, and a driveway for a whole lot of laughter.

16. Color Pick Box

This toddler color pick activity helped me many times when my son was a toddler. All you need is a cardboard box and either craft sticks or popsicle sticks! While I would prep dinner, he would have lots of fun practicing hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills.

17. Shaving Cream Box Cake Activity

Since my oldest began Kindergarten, it has been a strong reminder that the older kids have less time to play. Shaving cream sensory play is certainly not happening at school, so I am here to make it happen at home. And if shaving cream is your jam, check out shaving cream car tracks.

18. Tissue Paper Pumpkin Art

Cardboard makes the best workspace for little artists! I initially thought this tissue paper pumpkin art activity would be a hit with my three-year-old. The unexpected was that he dipped out, and my five-year-old and almost seven-year-old swooped right in to make this cute craft!

19. Wash the Socks – with a Cardboard Washing Machine! 

Wash the Socks was the exact fine motor skills activity for toddlers I was looking for to keep my son busy and having fun while I threw in another load on laundry day.

20. Weaving for Kids 

This rainbow paper weaving was so much fun for my toddler, preschooler, and kindergartener on our most recent rainy day! They each had a slightly different cardboard loom to fit their needs. Not only did each boy enjoy this fun activity, but it was the quietest my house had been all day.

21. The Watermelon Seed 

There are so many fun crafts to make out of cardboard boxes (and pom poms). One of my favorite summer holiday books – The Watermelon Seed, combines well with this simple painting craft to help retell the story. 

Kickstart your morning routine with play.

PDF Startup Guide – A road map for executing mornings anchored in play, discovery, and learning.

PDF Activity Cards Set One and Two – Breakfast Invitations are play-based, hands-on, and designed with an intentional introduction to learning through play.