21 clever ways to get creative with cardboard

Posted in DIY Activities & Play.

21 clever ways to get creative with cardboard

Keeping the kids entertained at home without spending a penny or reaching for the remote is no small feat. But, getting a little creative with our good old friend Mr. Cardboard can go a long way (trust us!). From small shoeboxes to old toilet tubes, we’ve gathered our favourite cardboard crafts to keep the kids entertained.

Here are 21 cardboard activities for you and the tribe to make at home.

READ MORE:
• 20 ways to recycle Christmas packaging
• Plate it up: 15 craft projects to make with paper plates
• 20 things to do with … toilet paper rolls

Get stamping

Cardboard roll heart stamp craft

Simply and cute – just the way we like it. Two firm creases transform this paper towel roll into a heart shaped stamp for tiny hands. (via Tinker Lab)

Hats off to you

Cardboard hat craft activity

Turn the morning snack into a mad hatters tea party with a range of creative headgear! Measure your kiddies noggin with a bendy piece of wire and use that as your starting point. Fancy! (via Ikatbag)

Make music

Cardboard guitar craft activity

You’ll need a large sheet of cardboard, pencils, rubber bands and a paper clip to make this musical masterpiece, and once the making fun is over your little rocker can strum away all day long. (via Make It Love It)

Nature play

Cardboard nature sun catcher activity for kids

This 3D nature sun catcher is fantastic for getting the kids right into nature. Take them exploring in the garden, pile everything you find onto a table before carefully placing onto the sticky-back plastic. Easy. (via Artful Parent)

Get them buzzing

Cardboard bee and yarn craft

It’s amazing what you can make with a small piece of cardboard and a few balls of wool. These sweet little puppets are BEE-autiful! (via Housing a Forest)

Find a friend

Cardboard puppet activity

Turn their favourite drawings and doodles into new found friends by simply gluing paper sketches to cardboard. It’s quick, easy and a cool way of keeping some of their latest artwork. (via Kids Activity Blog)

A sweet little playhouse

Cardboard bakery playhouse

A portable playhouse to take to play dates and more. What a brilliant idea! We love everything about this polka dot bakery. (via Small World Land)

Seeing double

Cardboard kaleidoscope

Let your little ones get lost in colourful reflections with a fun and mesmerising kaleidoscope. Once you’ve mastered making a small one try one slightly bigger! (via Handmade Charlotte)

Cardboard construction

Cardboard construction set

Kids like to build things. A lot. This simple construction activity will get their minds thinking while working those fine motor skills too. (via Happy Hooligans)

Curtain call

Cardboard puppet theatre

A homemade puppet theatre is something the kids will use time and time again. Alter the curtains, add a new lick of paint and even mix up your puppets – there’s no end to indoor fun with this one! (via Kido Info)

A fun place for fairies

Cardboard fairy house

For fairy parties, play dates or something fun for the playroom, this adorable fairy house will enchant the kiddies and keep them entertained for hours. (via At Home With Natalie)

Play group gathering

Cardboard box tower for toddler play

Here’s an awesome idea to take to your next playgroup. Tell everyone to bring along any spare cardboard boxes, sticky tape them together and stack them high. With a plastic sheet underneath, let the rascals decorate the boxes with paints, crayons and more. Messy but SO FUN! (via Meri Cherry)

George of the jungle

Cardboard sensory rainforest box

Brimming with trees, plants, moss and a variety of colourful creatures, this sensory rainforest is wonderful for encouraging imaginary play. (via Crayon Box Chronicles)

Launch!

cardboard snowball launcher

One for the older kids – Two tubes (one smaller than the other) join forces to become the best paper snowball launcher EVER! (via All for the Boys)

Grab refreshment

Cardboard lemonade stand

Get creative on summer days and cool down with a funky lemonade stand. The kids can help to make their sign too! (via Oh Happy Day)

Rinse and tumble

Cardboard washing machine

Teaching them how to do the laundry will encourage them to do it when they’re older. Right? Erm… maybe not. But a play washing machine will be a nice little addition to the toy room. (via Estefi Machado)

Horsing around

Cardboard hobby horse

Coloured tape is a fab little find, as there’s no paint, no mess and no tidying up! This bright blue fella is a brilliant toy for outdoor summer antics. (via Housing a Forest)

A box of crayons and…a box…

Cardboard box and crayon activity

Know a child who loves colouring in? Give them a box to climb into and a crayon, then sit back and relax. (via Berry Sweet Baby)

Ready, steady, sort!

Cardboard shape sorter

Shape sorters see kiddos problem solving and organising from an early age – it’s a great toy to have around the house. Make your own with a cardboard box and some coloured markers. (via Kids Activity Blog)

It takes a village

Cardboard playhouse

This cardboard village is so cute we’d like to live here too! Playful doors and bright wrapping paper work wonders on these tiny playhouses. (via A Beautiful Mess)

Under the sea

Cardboard aquarium

Bring the aquarium to you by making an underwater world full of colourful sea creatures. Painted paper forms the ‘deep sea’ backdrop and textured blue fabric becomes the seabed. (via Molly Moo Crafts)

READ MORE:
• 20 ways to recycle Christmas packaging
• Plate it up: 15 craft projects to make with paper plates
• 20 things to do with … toilet paper rolls

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