Cardboard Arcade Games You Can Build at Home with Your Kids

What if your home could turn into an arcade powered entirely by cardboard and imagination?

With just a few recycled boxes, markers, tape, and your kids’ endless creativity, you can create a fully playable arcade at home. From marble-powered pinball machines to toss games and DIY claw machines, these cardboard arcade games aren’t just fun, they're educational, screen-free, and packed with STEM learning.

Perfect for weekends, rainy days, or a homeschool activity, these games let your kids design, build, and play all while developing real-world skills.

A cardboard arcade game is a playable DIY game made using recycled cardboard and basic craft supplies. Inspired by real arcade classics like skee-ball, pinball, and claw machines, these games are designed for kids (and families) to build, decorate, and play at home with no electronics or screens needed.

They combine creativity, engineering, and hands-on learning, making them a popular STEM activity for kids of all ages. From tossing games to marble runs, cardboard arcade games are fun, budget-friendly, and great for boosting problem-solving skills, imagination, and teamwork.

The best part? Most materials are already around your home. You don’t need fancy tools or expensive kits.

Essentials:

1. Cardboard boxes (shipping, cereal, shoe boxes)

2. Scissors or kid-safe box cutters

3. Glue, duct tape, masking tape

4. Rubber bands, paper clips, popsicle sticks

5. Marbles, ping pong balls, straws

6. Markers, paint, stickers for decorating

Let your child take charge of the setup! It’s a great way to build confidence and decision-making. You can explore game design and engineering skills with hands-on projects at DIY.org.

Ready to start building? These ideas are fun, flexible, and work well for all ages.

Build a cardboard ramp that feeds into cut-out scoring holes. Use ping pong balls or marbles to “bowl” into the slots. Label points and let kids keep score. Skills used: measuring angles, game physics, scoring systems

Using string, cups, and a paperclip “claw,” design a working arcade grabber game. Hide tiny prizes like toys or erasers inside. Great for older kids or as a team project. Adds a layer of challenge and reward.

Cut holes in a cardboard box and create pop-up moles with flexible tubes or springs. Use soft objects or hands to “whack” when they appear. Teaches reaction time, timing, and coordination.

Design a tilted cardboard tray with rubber band flippers and straw bumpers. Use marbles or small balls and watch the game unfold! Explores momentum, gravity, and problem-solving.

Turn paper towel rolls into hoops and a shoebox into a court. Toss soft balls, pom-poms, or balled-up paper for points. Encourages aiming, hand-eye coordination, and math.

Every part of this project involves learning through doing, which is exactly what kids thrive on. While they’re building and playing, they’re also:

1. Practicing measurement and geometry

2. Understanding balance, force, and motion

3. Solving design challenges

4. Exploring artistic creativity

5. Working independently or as a team

Platforms like DIY.org turn these playful moments into meaningful learning with badges like Engineer, Game Designer, and Inventor.

Want to make the experience extra exciting? Bring in classic arcade vibes:

Print or draw play tickets and let kids “buy” turns

Create a prize table with small toys or homemade coupons

Take turns being the “cashier” or “game operator”

Keep score and have a family leaderboard

This adds role play, math practice, and social skill-building without any screen time.

After building, don’t let the fun stop there! Encourage your kids to:

Take photos or videos of their games in action

Draw blueprints or write instructions

Upload their arcade to DIY.org to share it with other makers

Earn badges and feedback for their creativity

When kids showcase their work, they build storytelling and digital expression skills plus a boost of confidence from real-world recognition.

Sure, there may be some cardboard scraps on the floor but the joy, learning, and laughter are more than worth it. A DIY cardboard arcade lets kids lead the way with hands-on, open-ended play that builds memories (and skills) that stick.

Start small with one game, or go all-in and build your own arcade room. Either way, your family’s creativity is the only limit.

Ready to build your own cardboard arcade? Join DIY.org and find step-by-step challenges, kid-safe sharing, and tons of maker inspiration!