Spotted: Cardboard Wheelbarrow and 13 other Cardboard Toys

Cardboard Wheelbarrow and other Cardboard Toys

Cardboard Wheelbarrow and other Cardboard Toys

I know you’ve seen those junky plastic children’s wheelbarrows in, like, every single big-box store ever.

Don’t buy them. They’re stupid. That cheap wheelbarrow will break after your kid tries to sit in it, or a wheel will come off, or the handle will snap, and your kid will cry. And you’ll get to throw that gigantic piece of junk into the garbage.

Instead, do what this incredibly awesome guy did, and build your kid a sturdy, functioning, super fun wheelbarrow out of cardboard, duct tape, and stash PVC pipe (and you KNOW I like myself some PVC pipe!).

I mean, kids love cardboard boxes best anyway, right?

And once you’ve got that cardboard wheelbarrow built, don’t stop amazing your kids! Check out these cardboard toy tutes for your next big adventure:

1. castleIt’s a doll house, only medieval-themed.

2. doll bedThis doll-sized bed looks gorgeous, and is a perfect place for an American Girl to sleep.

3. guitarThis cardboard toy guitar is a big step up from plain old air guitar.

4. hexbug habitatThe purchase of those awesome little robot bugs doesn’t have to inevitably lead to the endless purchasing of plastic places for them to play.

5. horseThese jointed horse dolls are fun to decorate AND to play with.

6. houseIt’s like a giant gingerbread house without the sugar poisoning!

7. number tilesYour kids can play so many cool math games with this easy-to-make manipulative.

8. purseDress-up is even more fun with this endlessly-customizable cardboard toy purse.

9. shadow puppet theaterYour kid would love to have his own puppet theater.

DIY cardboard shield from upcycled cardboard (1 of 2)10. shieldIt goes with the pipe sword.

11. stackersThis building toy has a LOT of imagination!

12. Troll My DameTeach your kids how to play this traditional pilgrim marble game.

13. Viking shipThere are hours of pretend play in this cardboard toy-sized pirate ship.

[cardboard wheelbarrow image via Alfonso E.M.]

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Written by Julie Finn

I'm a writer, crafter, Zombie Preparedness Planner, and homeschooling momma of two kids who will hopefully someday transition into using their genius for good, not the evil machinations and mess-making in which they currently indulge. I'm interested in recycling and nature crafts, food security, STEM education, and the DIY lifestyle, however it's manifested--making myself some underwear out of T-shirts? Done it. Teaching myself guitar? Doing it right now.

Visit my blog Craft Knife for a peek at our very weird handmade homeschool life, and my etsy shop Pumpkin+Bear for a truly odd number of rainbow-themed beeswax pretties.

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