Indoors · Building & engineering

Cardboard arcade

Build an arcade of cardboard games, from skee-ball to claw machines, then open it to the family with tickets and prizes.

  • Ages 6–12best for 7–12
  • Full dayabout 1 hour of prep
  • Prepare weeks aheadplan below
  • Freenothing to buy
  • At home (inside)on a hot day
  • Some helpmedium mess

Plan it

Good planning makes a good day. Tick things off as you go.

1Weeks before

2Days before

3Day before

4On the day

0 of 4 done ·

You'll need

From home

  • Cardboard boxes
  • tape
  • scissors
  • textas
  • paper cups
  • balls
  • string
  • toilet rolls

To buy

  • Box cutter (adult)
  • hot glue gun (adult)
  • prize-counter lollies or small toys
🪄 Wizard's tip

Show them the famous Caine's Arcade video first. It fires up their imagination and sets the bar for the day.

How to do it

  1. Each kid designs and builds one or two games.
  2. Make tickets and a prize counter.
  3. Decorate an arcade sign.
  4. Open the arcade to the family and pay in tickets.

Younger kids: One simple game each (ball drop, ring toss) with an adult cutting.

Older kids: Design working mechanisms: a crank claw, ramps, a ticket dispenser and a prize counter.

⚠ Safety Box cutters and glue guns are adult-only.

Builds CreativityProblem-solvingPlanning & organisingConfidence

Clean-up 30 minutes, or keep the arcade up for the week.

Make it a bigger day Invite grandparents or neighbours to the grand opening.

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Cardboard arcade