Transforming cardboard into arcade games is one of my favorite ways to turn a rainy day into an adventure. With just a few simple materials, you can create a world of fun right at home.
Cardboard Skee-Ball
Craft a classic skee-ball game by building a cardboard ramp that leads into cut-out scoring holes. I love using ping pong balls to bowl into the slots, and my friends always end up competing for the top score!
Might be a good match:
- Cardboard Sheets: Get high-quality cardboard sheets for building a sturdy skee-ball ramp effortlessly.
- Ping Pong Balls: Stock up on durable ping pong balls, perfect for competitive skee-ball fun with friends!
- Craft Scoring Markers: Use versatile craft markers to customize and clearly define scoring areas in your game.
Pinball Machine Marvel
Create a DIY pinball machine with a tilted cardboard tray, rubber band flippers, and straw bumpers. Watching the marbles bounce through obstacles feels almost magical, and it’s a great lesson in gravity and momentum.
Consider these options:
- Cardboard Sheets: Build a sturdy base for your pinball machine using durable cardboard sheets. Start creating now!
- Rubber Bands: Use rubber bands to create flippers with great bounce. Get them to complete your setup!
- Plastic Straws: Craft custom bumpers and obstacles with plastic straws. Enhance your pinball setup easily!
Claw Machine Challenge
Design your own claw machine using string, cups, and a paperclip for the claw, hiding tiny surprises inside. It’s a favorite in my studio, especially when the prizes are upcycled treasures.
A few choices to try:
- Cardboard Sheets for Crafting: Create a sturdy base for your claw machine using high-quality cardboard sheets easily.
- String and Twine Set: Tie it all together with durable string and twine for smooth claw machine operations.
- Multicolor Pom Poms: Fill your claw machine with vibrant pom poms to delight and entertain players of all ages.
Whack-a-Mole Fun
Build a whack-a-mole game by cutting holes and using flexible tubes for pop-up characters. My friends love testing their reaction times, and it always leads to fits of laughter.
A few helpful options:
- Cardboard Sheets: Build a sturdy base for your whack-a-mole game using high-quality cardboard sheets.
- Colorful Flexible Tubes: Add excitement with vibrant flexible tubes that are perfect for pop-up characters.
- Decorative Adhesive Paper: Enhance the look of your game with colorful decorative adhesive paper.
Basketball Toss Game
Create a basketball court with paper towel rolls as hoops and a shoebox as the base. Tossing soft balls for points is a hit in my apartment, especially when we keep a leaderboard for some friendly competition.
Possibly handy products:
- Mini Foam Basketballs: Add excitement with soft, safe foam balls for indoor play, perfect for all ages.
- Decorative Paper Towel Rolls: Create unique hoops using colorful paper towel rolls for a vibrant game setup.
- Large Cardboard Shoebox: Use a sturdy shoebox as the base for a reliable and portable game court.
DIY Maze Adventure
Craft a marble maze using cardboard to create winding paths and challenging obstacles. This project never fails to captivate my guests, as we all try to find the fastest route to the end.
May just do the trick:
- Cardboard Sheets: Craft intricate mazes with sturdy cardboard sheets, perfect for creating complex paths.
- Marbles Assortment: Explore the maze with a colorful set of marbles, adding fun and variety to your game.
- Craft Glue: Securely assemble your maze components with reliable craft glue for lasting stability.
Spin the Wheel of Fortune
Make a spin the wheel game, perfect for adding a carnival touch to your cardboard arcade. I often use it as a decision-maker for game night, and it’s always a crowd-pleaser.
Maybe worth checking out:
- Cardboard Sheets for DIY Projects: Get creative with versatile cardboard sheets to craft your own interactive spin-the-wheel game.
- Colorful Acrylic Paint Set: Add vibrant colors to your wheel with an acrylic paint set, making it visually captivating.
- Spinner Wheel Mechanism Kit: Ensure smooth spinning action by integrating a reliable wheel mechanism kit into your DIY project.
Mini Golf Course
Design a mini golf course with ramps and obstacles using household items. This project is a favorite for its creativity and fun, and I’ve seen some impressive designs come out of it.
You might like:
- Cardboard Sheets: Get creative and build ramps effortlessly with durable cardboard sheets for ultimate playtime fun.
- Mini Golf Set: Complete your course with a mini golf set—perfect for indoor play and endless challenges.
- Crafting Glue: Secure ramps and obstacles quickly using reliable crafting glue for sturdy mini golf designs.
Target Toss Game
Set up a target toss game with cardboard targets and soft objects to throw. This is a go-to at my crafting parties, offering endless fun and a bit of healthy competition.
Give these a look:
- Cardboard Sheets: Craft robust targets easily with these versatile cardboard sheets. Perfect for creative crafting projects.
- Soft Throw Balls: Ensure safe play with soft throw balls, ideal for indoor target games with friends and family.
- Colored Markers: Add vibrant designs to your targets using these colorful markers. Unleash your creative side today!
Feed the Monster
Create a feed the monster game where players aim to toss objects into a monster’s mouth. It’s always a hit with the kids at my workshops, sparking creativity and joy.
Some handy options:
- Colorful Cardstock Paper: Unleash creativity with vibrant cardstock for designing your monster arcade game. Create endless possibilities!
- Decorative Craft Stickers: Add fun with craft stickers. Perfect for decorating your monster game and sparking imagination!
- Washable Paint Set: Engage kids with washable paints for vibrant and mess-free creativity in your monster design.
Marble Run Madness
Construct a marble run with cardboard ramps and loops. Watching marbles race through this kinetic sculpture is both mesmerizing and addictive.
A few relevant products:
- Cardboard Crafting Kit: Enhance your marble run project with this versatile cardboard crafting kit. Perfect for creative designs!
- Assorted Marbles Set: Add vibrant excitement to your marble run with this colorful and diverse marble set. Get rolling!
- Glue Gun with Sticks: Ensure sturdy construction of your marble run with this reliable glue gun and stick set. Build securely!
Cardboard Arcade Race
Set up a marble race track complete with lanes and starting gates. This idea gets everyone cheering, and it’s so satisfying to see who crosses the finish line first.
These products might help:
- Cardboard Sheets: Get creative with durable cardboard sheets for an intricate and customizable race track build.
- Marble Set: Enhance the race excitement with a set of colorful marbles for dynamic competition.
- Craft Knife Set: Ensure precision cuts with a reliable craft knife set, perfect for detailed track creation.
Funky Ring Toss
Design a ring toss game using recycled bottles and homemade rings. It’s a staple in my crafting space, and everyone enjoys trying different throwing techniques.
Some ideas to consider:
- Natural Jute Twine: Craft durable rings for your toss game effortlessly with this natural jute twine. Perfect for beginners!
- Wooden Crate Organizer: Securely hold your bottles in style with this sturdy wooden crate. Easy to assemble and display.
- Recyclable Glass Bottles with Caps: Complete your ring toss setup using these sturdy, colorful glass bottles. Eco-friendly and versatile!
Cardboard Carnival Games
Create a series of carnival games using cardboard, like duck ponds and bottle knockdowns. The variety keeps things exciting, and it’s a wonderful blend of skill and luck.
Possibly helpful picks:
- Rubber Duck Toy Set: Add excitement with colorful rubber ducks for your DIY duck pond carnival game.
- Mini Carnival Prize Assortment: Enhance your games with fun prizes, encouraging players to participate and compete.
- Cardboard Craft Knife Set: Cut cardboard precisely and safely for creating intricate carnival game designs.
Pac-Man Inspired Chase
Design a Pac-Man inspired game with cardboard mazes. This nostalgic project brings a classic arcade feel to my living room, and we love reliving the fun.
Items that may come in handy:
- Cardboard Sheets: Craft intricate mazes with durable cardboard. Bring classic arcade fun to your living room!
- Acrylic Paint Set: Add vibrant colors to your maze figures. Enjoy creating and customizing every detail!
- Craft Cutting Tools: Achieve precision in maze designs with reliable cutting tools. Perfect for detailed DIY projects.
DIY Arcade Bowling
Set up a bowling lane with plastic bottles as pins and a small ball. It’s perfect for a mini-tournament and always brings a strike of excitement!
Check if these fit your needs:
- Mini Bowling Pins Set: Enhance your DIY arcade setup with compact bowling pins for indoor tournaments. Strike a deal today!
- Small Bowling Ball: Perfectly weighted small bowling ball to score strikes in your cardboard arcade game. Grab it now!
- Cardboard Sheets: Get durable cardboard sheets to create a sturdy bowling lane for endless fun. Build yours today!
Cardboard Conveyor Belt
Build a conveyor belt game that challenges players to balance objects on a moving surface. This unexpected idea often steals the show with its surprising mechanics.
Products that could assist:
- DIY Electric Motor Kit: Power your conveyor belt project with ease using this versatile DIY electric motor kit.
- Cardboard Sheets: Create a sturdy conveyor surface by using these durable and versatile cardboard sheets.
- Mini Roller Bearings: Ensure smooth operation of your conveyor belt with these reliable mini roller bearings.
Kinetic Sculpture Play
Create a kinetic sculpture that doubles as a game, with marbles activating moving parts. It’s a delightful fusion of art and play, and guests are always amazed by its elegance.
Useful items to consider:
- Cardboard Sheets: Create intricate designs with sturdy cardboard sheets for your kinetic sculpture masterpiece.
- Marble Set: Get a set of smooth marbles to activate and engage components of your kinetic sculpture.
- Craft Cutting Tools: Use precise cutting tools for shaping cardboard components with ease and accuracy.