People often think “A cardboard gun sounds dangerous,” but in fact, it’s a hugely popular, classic theme for summer break crafts and independent research projects.
From simple versions launched by rubber bands to advanced builds with working triggers and slides, the making process is full of excitement at every step.
Following along with videos turns it from just a craft into a lesson in mechanisms.
What matters is thinking about “how it flies” and “how it moves” while following safety rules.
The “It worked!” moment when it’s finished can instantly boost children’s focus and creativity.
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Elementary school kids will be obsessed! A collection of fun, playable cardboard gun ideas (1–10)
smartphone-shaped handgunNEW!
I thought it was a smartphone, but it was a cardboard gun! This surprising cardboard gun is made from post-in cardboard commonly used for delivering packages.
First, cut the cardboard according to the printed template.
The key points of this cardboard gun are that it can fold up and that, when folded, it looks like a smartphone.
Create a mechanism that allows the handle to fold so it can move.
Since it’s a gun that looks like a smartphone, try adding decorations like a camera lens.
Hook on a rubber band and it’s complete! To make it look even more like a smartphone, you can decorate it with a screen or company icons.
Triple-shot rubber band gunNEW!
Guns that can fire three times in a row are cool, right? Believe it or not, you can make one just by preparing two A4-size pieces of cardboard! First, attach the templates to each piece of cardboard using removable spray adhesive.
Then, cut out the parts along the guide lines with a utility knife or similar tool.
After that, simply assemble the parts together.
Once a part’s position is set or a template is no longer needed for the work, go ahead and peel the template off as you go.
You’ll end up with three spots to hook rubber bands, so hook them there and give it a try! It’s also fun to play in a game format where the person who can consistently hit the target in succession wins.
Five-shot rubber band gunNEW!
With just two parts—the trigger piece and the main body—cut out of cardboard and put together, you can make a cardboard gun that can fire five shots in a row! There’s one hook in the front and five in the back to catch rubber bands, so you hook the bands there and play.
Also, let’s make some targets out of cardboard, too! You could make five targets to match the five-shot burst, or create something like a dartboard-style target.
With some clever tweaks to the rubber band hooks, I thought it might even be possible to make it fire more shots in succession.
Rapid-fire! Cardboard Rubber Band GunNEW!
Glue together three cardboard pieces cut into the shape of a gun, and attach a clothespin to the inside of the clip.
Then decorate the cardboard however you like with pen patterns or stickers, and you’re done! Cut a slit at the tip of the gun, hook on a rubber band, and clip the other end in the clothespin, and you’re ready to go! Grip the handle and squeeze the clothespin to release the rubber band and send it flying.
It’s easy to make but shoots well, so it looks fun for target practice! Just be careful not to aim at people when you play.
Let’s make a Gatling gun out of cardboard!NEW!
The difficulty level is a bit high, but let’s try building it by combining various items you no longer use, including cardboard.
First, make the barrel that launches the balls using cardboard or thick paper.
When assembling, use bearings like those found in hand spinners.
For the rotation mechanism, use scrap materials such as cardboard and springs, as well as parts from a drill.
Be careful when making the trigger, as you’ll use the drill’s wiring and a soldering iron.
Once everything is assembled, you’ll have a large Gatling gun! It doesn’t just look real—the way the balls shoot out is also very lifelike.
Some materials can be hard to gather, so it might be best to team up with others to build it!
A toy gun you can fire with a trigger!NEW!
It will turn out as a very realistic and cool cardboard gun! Cut the cardboard into the shapes of each part for the whole gun.
First, let’s create the mechanism that fires the pellets.
Combine items like ice cream sticks and bamboo skewers.
Once the firing components are assembled, cover this section with another piece of cardboard so it isn’t visible from the outside.
With that, the cardboard gun is complete.
Paint it with spray paint or acrylics if you like.
For the pellets, roll small balls out of cardboard and load them into the gun’s muzzle.
Since the finish looks realistic, once you’ve painted it nicely, you might enjoy striking a cool pose and taking photos!
Ping-pong ball crossbow gunNEW!
When you hear “crossbow,” you might think of shooting arrows, but this one shoots ping-pong balls, so it’s relatively safe to play with.
Cut the cardboard into parts along the template and assemble them.
For the firing mechanism, use a clothespin with a skewer running through it.
For the part that serves as the bowstring, use rubber bands and a cable tie.
Pull back the cable-tie “string,” clamp it with the clothespin, and place a ping-pong ball in front.
Then, by opening the clothespin smoothly, the ping-pong ball will fly! It may take a bit of practice to launch well, but if you make a few, they could be used for activities like target games at a school festival.