74 Ultimate Cardboard Play Ideas for Frugal and Creative Fun

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

DIY Cardboard Fireplace

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!