DISCLOSURE: Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase. All opinions are my own, and I only recommend products that will add value for my readers.
These cardboard crafts for kids are perfect for all ages and a creative way to use up that recycled packaging while learning about colours, shapes, letters and more!
Cardboard Crafts for Kids
I don’t know about you but since its not a great time to be going out shopping right now I am having far more parcel deliveries than usual.
Add that to the usual cereal boxes and food cartons and that’s a lot of cardboard!
I know it can be recycled, but where’s the fun in that?
Instead I’ve been collecting it, and we’ve been using it for craft time.
I needed some more ideas for cardboard art and crafts projects so I’ve been busy rounding up some new inspiration – and as always I’m sharing the ideas here for you too!
There are crafts in this collection for kids of all ages, from toddlers and preschoolers through to tweens and even teens.
Combine your cardboard with some items from your craft box and your child will have hours of creative fun, while also learning concepts like colours, shapes, letters and even some maths and engineering!
Are you ready to be inspired by these creative cardboard crafts for kids?
Cardboard Dinosaur
This DIY cardboard dinosaur is HUGE! So not only will you kids have fun creating him they can also adopt him as a pet for hours of pretend play afterwards!
Source: Chalk Academy
Recycled Cardboard Owl Craft
How sweet are these owls?
I love this cardboard craft for kids because you can use all kinds of materials from your craft box or recycling bin, and you can even let the kids loose with the paint if you have time for them to get messy!
Source: Arty Crafty Kids
Little Cardboard Houses
Oh how about creating a whole town full of these cute little cardboard houses?
Source: @mizzlee_art
Fabric Scrap Cardboard Houses
And here’s a twist on that project, this time using fabric to decorate the cardboard houses patchwork style!
Source: Art Bar
Cardboard Building Discs for Creating Sculptures
For a cardboard craft that keeps on giving have your children spend an afternoon painting stacks of these cardboard discs.
They can then spend hours making their own sculptures!
Source: The Artful Parent
Cardboard Self Portraits
These over-sized cardboard “self-portrait” masks were inspired by the work of artist and sculptor Kimmy Cantrell. Such for for kids of all ages to make, even the older ones!
Source: Hand Makery
Cardboard Robot Puppets
What’s better than making a cardboard robot? One that moves of course!
This cardboard craft is so much fun and the children can spend hours using their imagination to put on a puppet show afterwards.
Source: Artful Parent
Geometric Cardboard Tower
Here’s another cardboard sculpture idea that your kids can take apart and put back together as many times as they like.
Source: The House that Lars Built
Cardboard House Collage
I think I’m developing a “thing” for cardboard houses!
I love that this one again is different from the first two I shared; with the houses being added to a piece of cardboard to make a picture.
Source: Small Hands Big Art
Stained Glass Collage Angels
These cardboard stained glass collage angels are beautiful! I’m saving this craft to my kid’s crafts board over on Pinterest so I can find it again in December. I think these would look beautiful in the window for the Holiday season don’t you?
Source: Art Camp LA
Kinetic Cardboard Mobile
This cardboard mobile is so beautiful with all its different paint effects and glitter to sparkle as it spins and catches the sun!
Source: Handy with Scissors
Cardboard Safari Animals
No instructions for this cardboard craft as it was saved directly to Pinterest. Hopefully there is enough her to inspire you and your kids to create some amazing 3D animal faces from your recycled cardboard!
Source: Pinterest
Puss ‘n Boots Cardboard Cat
And now from Big Cats, to little cats. How sweet is this Puss ‘n Boots? I love his little whiskars!
Source: Kid’s Activities Blog
Cardboard Collage Portraits
Here’s another twist on the cardboard self-portrait idea. These are a little more realistic than the abstract ones I shared before.
Your kids can have hours of fun with these cardboard art project, making faces of the whole family!
Source: The Artful Parent
Big Cardboard Birds
Oh these cardboard birds are fabulous! Just look at that whimsical design. And they’re oversized too so they’d look fabulous hanging up on the wall.
Source: Krokotak
3D Collage Dinosaur
Here’s another dinosaur craft.This time decorated with collage papers. If you cut them out in different shapes and sizes your child will have a whole herd of dinosaurs to play with!
Source: Mini Mad Things
Cardboard Circular Weaving
My daughter and I have done this cardboard craft already. It was such a mindful activity to be weaving through the cardboard loom.
You have to love any craft that lets you make something beautiful out of scraps and leftovers.
Source: The Artful Parent
Woven Cardboard Llamas
Or for an adorable twist on the cardboard loom project try making these llamas instead with their woven blankets!
Source: Pink Stripey Socks
Yarn Wrapped Cardboard Letters
And while you’ve got the yarn out have a go at making some of these yarn wrapped letters.
This is a great way for your child to practice their letters. They could make the letters for their name, or why not go all out and make the whole alphabet so they can practice spelling and reading in a more tactile way.
Source: Art Bar
Cardboard Rainbow Collage
These sweet rainbow collages are a great way to talk about colours and then they can be hung on the wall to brighten your day.
Source: Art Bar
Cardboard Box Town
Ok you’re going to need actual cardboard boxes for this project. And depending on how many houses your child wants in their city you might need quite a few… so get collecting!
Source: Mini Mad Things
Cardboard Hearts
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner so it’s the perfect time to make this sweet cardboard heart hanger for your door!
Source: Little Bit Funky
Cardboard Spiders
Cute and spiders are not usually two words I put together in a sentence. But I will today!
Source: Krokotak
Giant Cardboard Insects
Of course your children doesn’t have to limit themselves to just making spiders, when there is a whole world of creepy crawlies out there to get crafty with!
Source: La Maison de Loulou
Cardboard Box Doll House
Cardboard boxes of different shapes and sizes are perfect for turning into a dollhouse.
This is a cardboard project that can last for weeks as each individual box can be decorated.
And of course there is always room for an extension on the house when a new interesting box arrives!
Source Mini Mad Things
Foldable Cardboard Superhero House
If you want something a little smaller that can be folded up and put away (or taken to grandma’s house or to a restaurant maybe) then how about this neat cardboard project?
It could equally be decorated as a dolls house, or even a barn, if your child isn’t into superheroes.
I do think the use of washi tape to capture the bad guys is totally genius though!
Source: Pink Stripey Socks
Cardboard Mermaid Tails
Here’s a fun twist on making mermaid tails out of cardboard. I love how they added seashells and sand for texture!
Source: @allthemummery
Recycled Sea Creatures
And from mermaids we have some amazing sea creatures made from recycled cardboard. These would look amazing strung from some fishing line and turned into a mobile!
Source: La Maison De Loulou
Recycled Cardboard Theatre
Or better yet… turn a large cardboard box into a giant aquarium for your sea creatures!
Source: Let’s Lasso the Moon
