Cardboard is an awesome building material that is recyclable and biodegradable. It’s durable and protective, but it’s also easy to bend and cut. As kids (and cats) know, sometimes a cardboard box is as fun as the thing that came in it! Here are some creative ways you can reuse your crates.
1. Dance Party Speakers & DJ Booth
KiwiCo product designer, Melissa, found her kids putting on a concert with their crates! To do the same, stand up your crates vertically and add some paper circles to make “speakers”. Then use string or yarn to connect the speakers to the DJ booth and create a turntable on top with plates! Turn on some music and have a dance party!
2. Mini Foosball
Make your own mini-sized and portable foosball game. Create a whole set of players to complete your team!
Learn more: Mini Foosball
3. Boxed Succulent Garden
Gather up some spare crafting supplies and make a unique indoor garden. For this version, turn the box on its side, paint the flap, and fill it with handmade felt succulents and creatures made out of airdry clay. For a luminous touch, add fairy lights.
4. Crate Kitchen
Repurpose your KiwiCo boxes into a play kitchen! Make a simple stove with an oven door that opens and closes. A pretend refrigerator will keep things cool until you cook something up.
Learn more: Crate Kitchen
5. Crate Castle
Upcycle your box into a castle with a drawbridge!
Learn more: Crate Castle
6. Sewing Box
If you enjoy sewing, turn your crate into a sewing basket. With some assistance from an adult you can make holes in the cardboard and sew through them. Try adding various pockets and storage compartments. For an extra dash of color you can glue a layer of paper or fabric to the interior.
7. Mini Trampoline
Use your crate to make this mini-trampoline and explore inertia – a physical property of all objects. Because of inertia, a thing will stay at rest (or keep moving how it’s moving) unless it’s pushed or pulled by something else. This slow-motion demonstration has way less potential for a plate-breaking mess, and it’s an amazing way to see inertia in action.
Learn more: Mini Trampoline
8. Whack-a-Groundhog
This DIY whack-a-mole toy will teach kids about how levers work.
Learn more: Whack-a-Groundhog
9. DIY Crate Guitar
Try building this adorable guitar! All you’ll need is a few odds around the house and a love for music!
Learn more: DIY Crate Guitar
10. Conveyor Belt Cinema
Make this small-scale conveyor belt to create a cinematic experience!
Learn more: Conveyor Belt Cinema
Such great ideas! I love them.
Perpetual calander
Thank you! I have been trying to think of uses for all our crates!