Toddler at Play | Kids Crafts & Activities

10+ Egg Carton Ideas for Kids

button number match activity- toddler at play (6)

Are you looking for crafts and activities using egg cartons?

Egg cartons are so versatile and we love to use them in a lot of our crafts and activities! So I rounded them up to share with you. Be sure to check them out!

RElated: paper roll ideas for kids

Let’s get started!

All activities should be supervised by an adult. This post contains affiliate links- this just means I earn a small commission if you purchase via links below, no extra cost to you! Read our disclosure policy here.

#1: Egg Carton Mushroom Craft

Do you save egg cartons? If you don’t, then you’re about to find a reason to! This Egg Carton Mushroom Craft is a super simple to prep, toddler-approved craft that is both fun and easy!

materials:

 

Instructions:

  • Begin by cutting the egg carton. You’ll need the egg carton sections (these will be the mushroom caps) and the separators (these will be the mushroom stems). Cut out as many as you need. THIS STEP IS FOR ADULTS ONLY.
  • Next, paint the caps of the mushrooms red, working over a paper plate to make clean up easier. Let dry.
  • Once the red paint is completely dry, use a q-tip to make small white dots all over the mushroom cap. Let dry.
  • Next, hot glue the caps to the mushroom stem and your little mushroom is oh, so done!

#2: Egg Carton Wildflower Garden

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This Egg Carton Wildflower Garden is a fun recycled activity you have to try! 

materials:

 

Instructions:

  • To prep the egg carton for the garden, place the egg carton upside down and make holes in each of the sections using a screw driver. The holes do not have to big as the wildflowers usually have thin stems and they can stand up nicely when inserted into the hole if the hole isn’t too big. THIS STEP IS FOR ADULTS.
  • Next, using the permanent marker, write “MY WILDFLOWER GARDEN” across the bottom of the egg carton.

You’re all set! Go explore the outdoors and create your beautiful and unique garden!

related: 25+ nature inspired ideas for kids

#3: Egg Carton Christmas Trees

egg carton christmas tree - toddler at play

These Egg Carton Christmas Trees look gorgeous and festive but are quite simple to make!

materials:

 

Instructions:

*Supervision required*

  • Cut long rectangles out of the cardboard, roll together and hot glue. These will be the tree trunks.
  • Using the craft scissors, cut the middle (triangle) sections of the egg carton out. Cut out as many as you need, each tree has 3 egg carton sections.
  • Next, paint the egg carton sections using watercolors. I did pink and teal, but you can get creative! Let dry well.
  • Now, using the craft scissors make deep slits on each egg carton section.
  • Using the hot glue gun, glue 3 egg carton sections together. Hot glue the tree trunks. Let set.
  • Lastly, using a paintbrush apply, randomly, a little bit of liquid school glue on the Christmas trees, sprinkle with artificial snow and let dry. Working over a paper plate keeps the mess to a minimum!

#4: Egg Carton Ice Cream Craft

Want an easy and super sweet egg carton craft? This Egg Carton Ice Cream Craft is it!

materials:

 

Instructions:

  • Begin by cutting out the pointy, dividing pieces of the egg carton. These will be your ice cream cones.
  • Next, paint the cones brown/beige and let dry.
  • Now, place a bit of liquid school glue onto the paper plate and arrange the q-tip. You can skip this step with older kids and simply use a squeezable glue bottle.
  • Using the q-tip, apply the glue to the inside of the cone along the edges. Place a pom-pom inside to glue and let set. 
  • Cut up the assorted pipecleaners into small pieces. These will be the sprinkles.
  • Lastly, apply a little bit of glue to the top of the ice cream and sprinkle a few of the sprinkles on top. Let dry.

#5: Egg Carton Volcanoes

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These Egg Carton Volcanoes are super easy to make and make a fun recycled idea for kids of all ages! Kids will love these exploding volcanoes! Perfect as a child’s’ first experiment to see the reaction between baking soda and vinegar. Safe and exciting! Keep reading to see the simple tutorial, list of materials and instructions!

materials:

 

Instructions:

  1. Using the craft scissors, cut the middles of the egg carton.
  2. Cut a piece of cardboard, approximately 4 x 4 inches and glue the egg carton volcanoes onto the cardboard using a hot glue gun (this step is for adults).
  3. Next, using a funnel (or not, like me lol), place about a tablespoon of baking soda into each section.
  4. Using the paint, paint the volcanoes to make them look real!
  5. Pour a bit of vinegar into a bowl.
  6. Using the dropper, squirt vinegar into the holes of the egg carton volcanoes to watch them erupt!

related: 40+ cardboard ideas for kids

#6: Recycled Ant Craft

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This Recycled Ant Craft is the perfect recycled craft idea for kids.

Materials:

Optional book:

 

Instructions:

  1. Using the craft scissors, cut the egg carton so you get 3 sections in a row (this step is for adults).
  2. Paint the egg carton sections black. Let dry.
  3. Once your ant is dry, glue on the googly eyes.
  4. Using a skewer or craft scissors, make 3 holes on each side in the last two sections of the ant (this step is for adults).
  5. Cut the pipecleaner into about 2″ strips and secure 6 of them for the legs into the holes you made.

#7: Planting Seeds Activity

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Spring is here and what’s a better idea than to plant a few seeds with this Planting Seeds Activity!

materials for planting seeds activity:

 

Instructions:

  • Prepare all of the materials ahead of time.
  • Using the craft scissors, cut off the egg carton closing flap and lid.
  • Place a little bit of soil using the spoon into each section of the egg carton.
  • Using the finger, make an indention of about half inch, or as it says on the seed packet, and place a seed inside. Cover lightly with a little bit of soil.
  • Repeat with all of the egg carton sections.
  • Using the measuring cup, water each section of the egg carton just a bit. Don’t over water as it will soak the egg carton and you’ll need to place something underneath it.
  • Place onto a sunny spot, water with the spray bottle daily and watch the seeds sprout and grow!

related: 25+ spring crafts and activities for kids

#8: Button Number Match Activity

button number match activity- toddler at play (6)

This Button Number Match Activity is so simple and quick to make, you’ll have a fun educational activity set up for your little learner in no time.

Materials for Button Number Match ACtivity:

 

Instructions:

  • Using the permanent marker, write out numbers 1-12 on the bottom of each egg carton section. If you’re using an 18 section egg carton, use numbers 1-18.
  • Prepare the buttons by pouring them into the egg carton lid.

related: 20+ number activities for kids

#9: My Rock Collection

Enjoy the outdoors with this My Rock Collection Activity! It’s a super quick and easy, low prep kids activity that works on both gross and fine motor skills.

MATERIALs:

 

Instructions:

  • Inside, at the top of the egg carton write “My Rock Collection”. I used different colors of permanent markers to make it more fun!
  • Now head outdoors with your little ones on a fun, outdoor hunt for rocks!

#10: Wildflower Hunt Activity

wildflower hunt- toddler at play (13)

This Wildflower Hunt Activity is a simple and easy activity requiring only 2 materials and lot’s of gross motor fun!

Materials:

 

Instructions:

Using the scissors cut off the flap on the egg carton for the closing. Next, using the colored permanent markers, write “My Wildflower Collection” right on the lid part of the egg carton. Prep is done, now it’s time for the hunt!

#11: Egg Carton Pom-pom Color Sort

This Egg Carton Pom-pom Color Sort is not only simple and takes just a few minutes to prepare, but it’s a great RECYCLED idea too. I mean, probably most of us come across an empty egg carton at home so why not make something out of it before it goes into the trash?

Materials:

Instructions:

Flip the egg carton upside down and color the tops of the egg carton in various colors (my pom-poms were white, yellow, pink and light blue). Once you’ve finished coloring, use the screw driver to carefully poke a hole in each section. You can use a pen or pencil for this step too. Now you’re done and your toddlers are ready to sort!

#12: Color Match Activity

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Super quick and easy color sorting activity for your little ones.

Materials:

Instructions:

Flip the egg carton upside down and use different colors to color the sections, then use a knife to poke a hole. Prep the matching popsicle sticks.

 

ENJOY!

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