25 Ingenious Cardboard Actions and Video games for Studying

If there is one thing that most of us have abundant these days, it is cardboard. Take a look at these fun and creative cardboard activities before you toss them straight to the trash. There are so many ways for kids to learn and play with these boxes and tubes!

1. Make a marble maze

Marble mazes are all the rage, but we love the extra twist of holes that should be avoided on this version. This is one of those cardboard activities that kids will keep coming back to.

Learn more: Frugal fun for boys and girls

2. Thread the cardboard beads

Little fingers will have no problem manipulating these huge cardboard beads on a string. Use them to create and copy patterns as well.

Learn more: Laughing children learn

3. Feed the letter monster

Learning the ABCs is so much fun with this adorable boxing monster! Slide the strip of letters, find the matching letter and drop it into the monster's mouth.

Learn more: Happy Tot shelf

4. Put together a DIY geoboard

Geoboards are a staple in most elementary school classes, but you don't need to purchase them. Make your own with some push pins and a sheet of sturdy cardboard.

Learn more: The mum workshop

5. Build a cardboard city

Let your imagination run wild and create a whole city full of buildings! This stacked version reminds us of Native American cliff dwellings ... so cool!

Learn more: Mini Mad Things

6. Wrap a cardboard diaper

Learn more about physics as you build this simple machine that really works! Please see the link for full instructions.

Learn more: Small trash cans for small hands

7. Roll the giant dice

Do you need a set of giant cubes? Make your own from cardboard and colored tape.

Learn more: The craft train

8. Present your natural finds

Build a showcase for all of the cool items you find on your nature walks. Add dividers and labels like in a museum!

Learn more: Little Pine Learners

9. Roll and count

Cardboard activities like this combine hand-eye coordination with counting practice. Oh, and did we mention they're a lot of fun too?

Learn more: Raise a dragon

10. Launch pompoms into space

Every child loves to throw things in the classroom. So they really enjoy building and playing with this cardboard thrower.

Learn more: Teaching next to me

11. Turn cardboard into building material

Cardboard is one of our favorite materials for STEM challenges. Give this chart to kids for reference, then turn it around to see what they can create!

Learn more: JDaniel4's mother / Pinterest

12. Put on a puppet show

This little puppet show is absolutely adorable ... and it lights up! Imagine the shows your kids can do with it.

Learn more: Handmade Charlotte

13. Assemble an adding machine

A couple of cardboard tubes and a box are all you need to make an "adding machine". Drop objects into the tubes and add them up, or go one step further by dropping dice and adding the results.

Learn more: The best ideas for children

14. Turn a cardboard top

Adding a marble to the floor is the trick to making these great spinning tops. Play around with the designs to find out what the best patterns are when they are in motion.

Learn more: Frugal fun for boys and girls

15. Count on a cardboard tobacco

A homemade abacus works just as well as the type of wood. They are great for learning to count, as well as practicing addition and subtraction.

Learn more: Izzaroo

16. Float a cardboard boat

There are so many great STEM cardboard activities out there. He asks the students to build a cardboard boat that floats and can transport cargo. Ahoy buddy!

Learn more: Teach kids engineering

17. Play a game of shoebox

Build some of these cardboard mini foosball games with your students and keep them indoors for the break.

Learn more: Mama in the madhouse

18. Strive for math skills

Dangle numbered cups from a cardboard frame, then aim! Shoot an arrow or throw a ball and add, subtract or multiply the numbers you hit.

Learn more: Happy Salt Folk / Instagram

19. Turn cardboard tubes into building blocks

Save your toilet paper tubes and make bespoke building blocks. These are incredibly simple, but kids can build so many things with them.

Learn more: Picklebums

20. Practice catapult pom poms for reading

Practice letters or numbers (in any language)? Build your own catapult and board to make the experience more fun! You can find the how-to under the link.

Learn more: Chalk Academy

21. Drive a rubber band drive car

This car really works with the power of rubber bands! For a fun STEM challenge, provide the kids with basic directions and ask them to design a car that will drive the fastest or carry the most weight.

Learn more: Instructables

22. Create a cardboard lane

Take these cardboard carts down the cardboard highway! Children can supplement this with new cardboard sheets.

Learn more: Busy toddler

23. Strum a cardboard guitar

Here's one of those classic cardboard activities: the shoebox guitar! Use rubber bands of different sizes and pluck the strings to see how the notes change.

Learn more: PBS

24. Plan a maze

Just finished a train? Collect these large boxes and use them to create a maze with a map for those who get lost.

Learn more: Hallmark Channel

25. Show off your work of art

This doesn't look like today's televisions, but it's still a clever way to show off children's artistry. Learn how to create it from the link.

Learn more: Hello, wonderful

Are you looking for cheaper teaching materials? Try these 25 smart ways to use paper plates for learning, crafting, and fun.

Plus, 21 incredibly cool things kids can do with straws.