Cardboard play is the ultimate frugal play. It is also a super stellar creative, hands-on way to let children learn and grow. I have such vivid memories as a child with my parents grabbing appliance boxes from the appliance store every summer for years and we would make, build, pretend, play and enjoy life in our backyard with our cardboard creations. It was some of the best playtime memories.
And now we try and do the same for our kids. They have made obstacle courses, playhouses, ships, airplanes and dozens more ideas. They have even made a crawling course for their baby brother. They love to pull out the boxes and have the ultimate play time.
For us parents, we all love it because it lends itself to hours of play that is frugal, gets the creative mind rolling and you can just throw it away when it’s all done!
So, we wanted to provide you and your kids an inspirational guide to the best and ultimate list of ideas to help you get the cardboard ball rolling.
DIY Cardboard Box Weaving Loom @tinkerlab
DIY Cardboard Wall Submarine @patternmemommy
DIY Cardboard Puppet Theater @letsplaykidsmusic
DIY Cardboard Mailbox @littleredwindow
DIY Cardboard Stoplight @ikatbag
DIY Cardboard Floor Skis @playtivities
DIY Cardboard Submarine @pintrest
DIY Cardboard TV @estefimachado
DIY Cardboard Skeeball @mybeaubaby
DIY Cardboard Houses @abeautifulmess
DIY Cardboard House @diy-is-fun
DIY Cardboard Playhouse @nestofposies
DIY Cardboard Light Cave @kendallrayburn
DIY Shoebox Pizza Oven @madebyjoel
DIY Shape Sorter Box Toy @parents
DIY Cardboard Sink @parents
DIY Cardboard Stove @parents
DIY Cardboard Salon @Childhood101
DIY Cardboard Box Ice Cream Truck @celebrate-always
DIY Cardboard Fridge @parents
DIY Cardboard Gas Pump @parents
DIY Cardboard Doll House @littleredwindow
DIY Cardboard Dome @instructables
DIY Cardboard Toy Castle @Increations
DIY Cardboard Doll Bed @parents
DIY Cardboard Life-Sized Castle @brandontran
DIY Cardboard Castle @cornerstoneconfessions
DIY Cardboard Airplane @salsapieproductions
DIY Cardboard Barn @livinglocurto
DIY Cardboard Rocket @sweetpaulmag
DIY Cardboard Wheelbarrow @makezine
DIY Cardboard Car Wash @filthwizardry
DIY Cardboard Box Seesaw @playandgrow
DIY Cardboard Stick Horses @moodkids
DIY Cardboard Bike Doll Seat @origamimommy
DIY Hanging Cardboard Box Aquarium @madebyjoel
DIY Cardboard Guitars @makeit-loveit
DIY Cardboard Workbench @estefimachado
DIY Cardboard Elevator @repeatcrafterme
DIY Cardboard Puppet Stage @apartmenttherapy
DIY Cardboard Car @childhood101
DIY Cardboard Coffee Shop @45walldesign
DIY Cardboard Castle Fort @dosfamily
DIY Cardboard Cash Register @handmadecharlotte
DIY Cardboard Ball Maze @ahappywanderer
DIY Cardboard Dollhouse @ikatbag
DIY Cardboard Train @seanwalkerphotography
DIY Cardboard Parking Garage @lafactoriaplastica
DIY Cardboard Boat @blackeiffel
DIY Cardboard Maze @livinggreenwithbaby
DIY Cardboard Play Sewing Machine @littleredwindow
DIY Cardboard Bed @hellobee
DIY Cardboard Box Town @picklebums
DIY Cardboard Play Washing Machine @craftster
DIY Cardboard Store @ikatbag
DIY Cardboard Kitchen @nap-timecreations
DIY Cardboard Playhouse @allfortheboys
DIY Cardboard Car @messestomemories
DIY Cardboard Camper @themerrythought
DIY Cardboard Airplane @smallfryblog
DIY Cardboard Purse @ikatbag
DIY Cardboard Car Track @clobyclau
DIY Cardboard Dollhouse @ikatbag
DIY Cardboard Building With Revolving Door @allfortheboys
DIY Cardboard Oven @marthastewart
DIY Cardboard Binoculars @craftsbyamanda
DIY Cardboard Skate Park @allfortheboys
DIY Cardboard Slide @milkandcuddles
DIY Cardboard House @sheknows
DIY Cardboard Helmets @allfortheboys
DIY Cardboard Sword And Shield @30minutecrafts
Plus, here’s a few more that we have featured on our site before:
Rubber Band Guitar using a box
DIY Lifesize Gingerbread House
So now you have these 74 homegrown DIY cardboard play ideas – give the kids a box or two and recreate one of these or see what creative ideas they have after they see the list.
If you just want an easy solution, you can also grab a cardboard kit that they kids can assemble and decorate themselves. Look at just a handful of the options, but you can head to Amazon HERE to see dozens more!
Click on any of these pictures below to see a bigger picture of the cardboard play items below!
There you have it! TONS of cardboard inspiration! Which one of these have your kids already made or which do you plan to make next?
See more DIY Ideas
Kim~madeinaday
What a huge round-up of great ideas for rainy days! Stopping by to let you know you are being featured on Friday’s P3 Party post! Have a great week! Thanks for pinning!
Best,
Kim