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Simple Cardboard Box Activities and Crafts for Kids

March 11, 2020 by Rosie 1 Comment

Cardboard boxes! One of the simplest art and craft materials around! Often overlooked, the humble cardboard box can be the beginnings of many an art project or play time adventure!

I love that cardboard boxes are something that we all have lying around at one time or another, so are a simple resource to use to encourage creativity in our children. Try saving cardboard boxes of all sizes in your home or school – put them in a bag or box to keep them organised. You’ll have instant, free and environmentally friendly materials for both craft and play!

Most children given a cardboard box will come up with any number of ideas on what to do with it. Give children a selection of cardboard boxes, felt pens, craft paper, scissors and glue – and see what they can create!

However, if you are faced with the dreaded “I’m bored..” or are just looking for some ways to get started – here are fifteen simple ideas for cardboard box activities and crafts for kids to make.

I just LOVE that most of these ideas are open ended and children can take them in their own direction. PLUS many of them start out as an art or craft activity, but can then be used for imaginative play – hooray!

Make a DIY Pirate Ship

Ahoy there me hearties! Argggh! Sorry, got a bit carried away there… This pirate ship is the ultimate transformation of a cardboard box! Use this tutorial from the ever amazing Red Ted Art to occupy your kids and bring their pirate play to life!

Take Along Finger Puppet Theater Tutorial

This little puppet theater is a fun way to repurpose a cardboard box into a toy. You can make this with only a small cardboard box ready to entertain kids on a trip or outing. Useful as well as fun see?!

A Snorkel Mask with a View

Splish, splosh, splash! Oh I am partial to an ocean themed craft! This snorkel mask with sea creatures inside is such a fun way to reuse a cardboard box.

How to Make a Knight’s Shield and Sword

Whose children love to re-enact tales of old? Use left over cardboard to make a knight’s shield and sword – perfect for imaginative role play.

Cardboard Box Robots

Is it a man? Is it a box? No it’s a cardboard box robot! These cardboard box robots are the ultimate simple and inspiring cardboard box activity. Kids will love building and customising their robots in their own unique way.

Make a Dinosaur Habitat Box

Roar!!! Any dino lovers in your family? I bet there are! This habitat box idea is a fun and open ended activity for any dino fan or for a dinosaur topic at school or home. You can use any size cardboard box for this. Plus use any bits and pieces from your art and craft supply, or around the home. Just add dinosaurs!!

Dinosaur Habitat Box

Cardboard Shapes – Easy Toddler Craft Activity

Cardboard shapes! A fun way to learn and play with shapes for toddlers – all whilst using recycled card!

Build Your Own Cardboard Castle Playhouse

Woah! Such a cool playhouse! I think I’d want to live in this cardboard castle. I expect you and your kids would too! Looks simple to make and hours of imaginative play time. Now what can I buy that will come in a box big enough for this…?!

DIY Cardboard Space Shuttle

Zoom! Off to space we go! Love this idea of making a DIY space shuttle. It reminds me of the book ‘Whatever Next’ – if you haven’t read it with your kids you should!

Cardboard Laptop

Here’s one way to deal with any requests for ‘screen time’ – he he! Seriously though, this is such as sweet idea for children who want to role play ‘working’ on the laptop like mummy or daddy. Love this, genius idea!

Small World Play with a Cardboard Box

What a cute and open ended cardboard box idea! My daughter currently loves small world play and she’d be all over this! Lots of room for creativity and children’s own ideas which of course I LOVE.

Kid Made Robot Costume

Take that cardboard robot just one step further and you have… a robot costume, ta da! Such a cool idea. Not just a craft, but doubles for role play, or you can use for a costume day!

Peter Rabbit Shape Matching Activity

Any Peter Rabbit fans here? We’ve had the Peter Rabbit phases in our house! This is such a sweet matching activity for younger children, plus makes use of a cardboard box to make a ‘field of carrots’.

DIY Cardboard House

If you’ve never made a cardboard house out of a massive cardboard box, then, well you have been deprived! A must for every child. Pounce on any enormous cardboard box you can get your hands on and you’ll have hours of craft and play time fun ahead! There’s an even simpler version of a cardboard box playhouse here.

Do you have any other ideas for cardboard box crafts or activities?

Remember to pin this idea for later!

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Filed Under: Arts and Crafts, Recycled

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Comments

  1. Natalya

    September 19, 2020 at 3:32 am

    I love your crafts me and my brother did this stuff and it is so fun thank you.

    Reply

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Hi, I’m Rosie!

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Sweet and simple ideas to inspire kids. 👩‍🎨
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Rosie
Do you feel like you're balancing all the things r Do you feel like you're balancing all the things right now?
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Life is throwing everything at us at the moment. If you feel like you’re about to topple and fall with the weight of it all, you are not alone. 

Working, parenting, home schooling. Trying to stay calm and look after ourselves as well as our families. Whatever your situation, I know you are juggling a lot.
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I think of the beach when I need a pick me up. How about you?
Don’t you just love when a crafty project double Don’t you just love when a crafty project doubles as something useful??
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You can turn this easy Christmas tree stencil idea into simple gift wrap! 
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Get your children printing and decorating Christmas trees on a sheet of parcel paper. You’ll keep them busy and creative, then can wrap gifts for the grandparents or friends in the paper! 
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This year, more than ever, people will really appreciate the small, personal things that you do for them. Things that are made, thought about and given with love. ❤️ Have a think about how you can make someone feel special this year. The simple ideas are always the best!
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Are you planning to add a personal touch to gifts and cards this year? Have you made gift wrap with your children before?
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Joining in with @makemerryandcreate @littlelion_mom @playwithmamma and #makeyourchristmascrafts
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I took a bit of a social media break, as life took over. As it does from time to time. So taking the time to say hello to you all again.👋 

I’m Rosie and I love to share simple ideas to inspire kids to get arty, crafty and creative. 🎨 

I also 💚the outdoors and try to share this love of nature in many of my projects. 🌲 

This is me and my crew, back in October on my 40th birthday! A beautiful beachy day. 🏝 

Since then we’ve bought a house, moved and had one kiddo in isolation for 14 days 🤪- hence the radio silence. 

A break has helped me ditch the overwhelm and simplify my priorities. But now, I’m so ready to start getting creative again and bring on all the festive vibes! 🎄

When life gets overwhelming, don’t be afraid to step back and focus only on the things that are important. Take a breath, get outdoors and then reprioritise, one step at a time. ❤️

How are you doing with lockdowns, winter and festive preparation? What helps you step back and reprioritise?
What is your lasting memory of this past few month What is your lasting memory of this past few months with your kids?

For me it’s been bike rides and making things together. 🖍 ✂️ 
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If you’re feeling a little lost at the moment I can recommend a good sort out as a starting point! @whatkatysaiduk is a wonderful inspiration on decluttering. 🥰
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(Press trip) Do you have a Dino fan in your family (Press trip) Do you have a Dino fan in your family?
We had a roarr-some time at @roarr_dinosauradventure in Norfolk last weekend.
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I feel so much more relaxed for letting go of formal work! (Let’s face it there wasn’t much of it happening anyway...😬) But I was still pressuring myself mentally and it was starting to create power struggles (with my eldest very spirited child!) When you start doing things that you and the children are motivated to do it takes the pressure off everyone. And the miracle is that’s when the real learning happens! 🌟 
My son has even written about his fossil collection - a change from tearing my hair out to get him to write! The kids have played more independently too, as I’ve ‘left them to it’ more. Plus - the house is even starting to look just a little bit cleaner! 🧹

So if home school is just not happening anymore, I’d recommend doing an Elsa and just ‘Let it Goooo’. Swap it for ‘life school’ and I guarantee the kids will be learning equally valuable lessons. 💡Just do what works for your family. ❤️ Are you still home schooling? Do you feel like you’re trying to ‘do it all’? Or have you embraced a more flexible approach?

I’d love to hear any ideas you have that we could try? My kids love dinosaurs and creative things. Plus I’m trying to encourage independent playing and helping in the house, so all ideas welcome! 💡
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If you’re a mama or a teacher and wondering how you can take ACTION against racism, I’d really recommend taking a look at @readlikearockstar and @apron_education - they have some brilliant resources to share with your kids. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Do you talk about racism with your kids? How are you taking action against racism?
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