Egg Carton Crafts are a wonderful way to turn trash into treasure. These creative projects are a fun part of upcycling—reusing old materials to make something new and useful. By using egg cartons, which are often thrown away, we can enjoy eco-friendly crafting that helps reduce waste and protect the environment.
Egg Carton Crafts
Egg Carton Crafts are fun and creative ways to reuse old egg cartons instead of throwing them away. These easy, eco-friendly projects are perfect for kids and adults to enjoy together.
Egg Carton Caterpillar
This colorful caterpillar is a classic egg carton craft that’s fun for kids of all ages. It helps develop fine motor skills while letting children express their creativity. You can use bright paints, googly eyes, and pipe cleaners to bring it to life. It’s a great activity for preschool or home craft time.
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Cut a row of 3 to 5 egg cups in a straight line.
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Let kids paint each segment in different colors.
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Add googly eyes and a smile with markers or paint.
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Use pipe cleaners or straws for antennae.
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Let it dry completely before playing or displaying.
Egg Carton Flowers
These flowers are a beautiful way to brighten up any room or make a sweet handmade gift. Kids can experiment with colors and shapes to make their own flower garden. It’s a great craft for spring or Mother’s Day. Plus, it teaches the value of reusing everyday materials.
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Cut out individual egg cups and trim edges to look like petals.
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Paint them with vibrant colors and let them dry.
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Glue buttons, pom-poms, or beads in the center.
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Attach green pipe cleaners or sticks as stems.
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Arrange them in a recycled bottle or vase.
Egg Carton Animals
Transform egg cartons into adorable little animals like frogs, turtles, and bees. This craft encourages storytelling and imaginative play. Children can mix and match parts to invent their own creatures. It’s a perfect rainy-day activity.
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Use 2 connected egg cups for animal bodies.
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Paint them based on the animal—green for frogs, yellow for bees, etc.
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Add wings, ears, or legs using paper, felt, or pipe cleaners.
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Glue on googly eyes for fun expressions.
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Create a whole set of animals for pretend play.
Egg Carton Christmas Ornaments
Make beautiful and personalized Christmas ornaments from egg cartons. These handmade decorations are great for family bonding and holiday cheer. You can create mini wreaths, snowflakes, or even tiny gift boxes. Add a string to hang them on the tree.
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Cut shapes like stars or circles from carton sections.
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Decorate with glitter, paint, or metallic markers.
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Glue on tiny gems or holiday-themed stickers.
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Punch a small hole and add ribbon or thread.
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Write names or dates for a personal touch.
Egg Carton Easter Bunnies and Chicks
Celebrate Easter with cute bunnies and chicks made from egg cartons. These sweet crafts make perfect basket stuffers or table decorations. Kids will love personalizing their little friends with fun accessories. It’s an egg-citing way to enjoy the season!
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Use one or two egg cups per character.
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Paint them white for bunnies or yellow for chicks.
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Add ears, beaks, and tails with paper or felt.
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Glue on small eyes or draw with markers.
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Fill with mini treats or display in a basket.
Egg Carton Bats and Spiders
These spooky egg carton creatures are great for Halloween decor. Bats and spiders can hang from the ceiling or be part of a haunted house setup. This craft is both fun and a little creepy! A great way to set the mood for the spooky season.
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Paint egg cups black or dark purple.
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Cut and fold wings for bats; add legs for spiders.
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Use glow-in-the-dark or glitter paint for extra fun.
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Add fangs, eyes, and web designs.
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Hang with thread or string around the room.
Egg Carton Wall Art
Create stunning wall art from something as simple as egg cartons. This craft is perfect for older kids and adults who love DIY décor. You can make floral patterns, geometric designs, or abstract shapes. It’s a stylish way to recycle.
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Cut and shape multiple egg cups into flowers or designs.
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Paint them in your favorite colors or theme tones.
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Arrange them on canvas or cardboard for layout.
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Glue each piece securely and let dry.
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Hang your artwork using strong tape or hooks.
Egg Carton Jewelry Holder
Make a practical and pretty jewelry holder using an egg carton. It’s perfect for organizing rings, earrings, and tiny trinkets. This craft is simple, useful, and makes a thoughtful handmade gift. Great for tweens and teens!
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Choose a clean, undamaged egg carton.
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Paint or cover it with decorative paper.
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Use each cup to hold a different type of jewelry.
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Add labels or dividers for better organization.
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Close the lid and tie with ribbon for a gift box look.
Egg Carton Seed Starters
Egg cartons make excellent seed starters for your garden. They’re biodegradable and can be planted directly into the soil. This eco-friendly project is perfect for springtime. It also teaches kids about nature and plant growth.
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Fill each egg cup with potting soil.
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Plant one or two seeds in each cup.
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Label with popsicle sticks or markers.
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Keep in a sunny spot and water gently.
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When ready, cut apart and plant cups directly into the ground.
Egg Carton Color Sorting Tray
This educational craft helps young kids learn colors and sorting. It turns a simple egg carton into a fun learning game. Use buttons, beads, or paper pieces for sorting. It’s great for toddlers and preschoolers.
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Paint each egg cup a different color.
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Let dry and label if needed.
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Provide small colored objects to match with the cups.
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Encourage sorting by color or size.
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Turn it into a timed challenge for older kids.
Egg Carton Math Game
Turn an egg carton into a fun math tool for practicing numbers and counting. This DIY game is great for early learners. Use it for addition, subtraction, or even multiplication. It’s a fun way to make learning hands-on.
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Number each cup from 1 to 12 with a marker.
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Use small objects like beads or beans as counters.
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Ask children to drop items based on math problems.
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Practice skip counting or grouping.
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Decorate the carton with numbers and symbols.
Egg Carton Memory Game
Test your memory with this simple DIY game. Use matching items hidden under the cups to challenge yourself or a friend. It’s a fun way to improve focus and attention skills. You can switch up the objects to make it new every time.
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Use a full carton with a lid to hide objects.
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Place pairs of small items inside cups.
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Take turns opening two at a time to find matches.
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Decorate the carton for a fun game theme.
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Keep score or play timed rounds.
Egg Carton Mini Monsters
Let your imagination run wild by making silly mini monsters. No two monsters have to look alike! This craft is great for Halloween or just goofy fun. It’s a hit at playdates or craft parties.
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Paint egg cups in wild colors like neon or dark shades.
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Add eyes, horns, and teeth using craft foam or paper.
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Use glitter, pom-poms, or yarn for extra fun.
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Stack or glue cups together to make multi-headed monsters.
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Name your monster and give it special powers.
Egg Carton Fish Mobile
Bring an underwater world to life with a hanging fish mobile. This gentle, swaying craft is relaxing to make and beautiful to hang. It works well as nursery décor or an ocean-themed craft. Ideal for classroom or home decoration.
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Cut egg cups into fish shapes with tails.
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Paint them in ocean colors: blue, green, silver.
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Add eyes, scales, and fins.
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Tie each fish to a stick or hanger with thread.
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Hang the mobile where it can gently move.
Egg Carton Treasure Chest
Turn an egg carton into a tiny treasure chest full of fun. Great for pirate-themed parties or secret keepsakes. Kids love hiding coins, gems, or notes inside. It also makes a fun DIY gift box.
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Paint the outside brown or gold to look like wood or treasure.
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Decorate with fake jewels, stickers, or buttons.
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Add a clasp using string, Velcro, or ribbon.
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Line the inside with fabric or paper.
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Fill with candy, coins, or surprises.
Tips for Successful Egg Carton Crafting
Before jumping into your creative projects, it’s important to prepare your materials properly. Whether you’re crafting with kids or making decorative pieces for your home, following a few simple steps can make a big difference. From cleaning egg cartons to choosing the right kind and using paint correctly, these tips will help your crafts last longer and look better.
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Clean and Prep the Cartons
Always start by checking if the egg carton is clean and free from egg residue.
If it’s made of paper pulp, lightly brush off crumbs or dust with a dry cloth.
For any sticky spots, gently wipe with a slightly damp cloth and let it dry fully.
Never use egg cartons that are wet, moldy, or greasy.
Cut the carton into needed parts before painting to make it easier to handle. -
Choose the Right Type: Paper vs. Plastic
Paper cartons are best for painting and gluing because they absorb color well.
They’re also biodegradable and perfect for eco-friendly crafts like seed starters.
Plastic cartons are better for clear designs, light-up crafts, or projects that need durability.
Avoid using foam cartons, as they are harder to paint and not very eco-friendly.
Choose based on your project needs—paper for painting and plastic for durability or shine. -
Painting and Sealing Tips
Use acrylic paints for bright colors that stick well to both paper and plastic cartons.
Always let one layer dry before adding another to avoid smudging.
For extra shine or durability, seal your project with clear craft varnish or Mod Podge.
If painting with kids, wear old clothes and use washable paints for easy cleanup.
Use paintbrushes in different sizes to reach small corners and add fine details.
These tips ensure your egg carton crafts turn out neat, colorful, and long-lasting, no matter the project!
FAQ
What kind of egg cartons work best for crafting?
Paper egg cartons are the most commonly used because they are easy to cut, paint, and glue. Plastic egg cartons can also be used for certain projects like light-up or see-through crafts. Foam cartons are less popular as they are harder to paint and not eco-friendly.
How do I clean egg cartons before using them?
Make sure the cartons are empty and dry. Brush off any egg crumbs or dirt. If needed, wipe gently with a slightly damp cloth and let them air dry completely. Do not use cartons that are wet, moldy, or greasy.
Are egg carton crafts safe for kids?
Yes, egg carton crafts are safe for children with adult supervision. Always ensure the cartons are clean, and use kid-friendly, non-toxic paint and glue. Scissors or sharp tools should be handled by adults or older children.
Can I paint egg cartons? What kind of paint should I use?
Absolutely! You can use acrylic paint, poster colors, or washable kids’ paint. For paper cartons, apply paint directly. For plastic ones, lightly sand the surface before painting so the paint sticks better. Sealing with clear varnish or Mod Podge adds shine and protection.

Hi, I’m Victoria, an art and craft teacher at Newark City Schools, where I have the joy of working with middle school students to help them explore their creativity and develop their artistic talents. I believe that art is a powerful way for students to express themselves, and I strive to make every lesson a fun, engaging, and inspiring experience.
I created this website to share the art and craft projects, techniques, and resources that I use in my classroom, hoping to inspire both educators and young artists alike. Whether you’re a teacher looking for new ideas or a student eager to try something new, I’m excited to provide creative tools and projects that anyone can enjoy.
When I’m not in the classroom, I love experimenting with different art forms and learning new crafting techniques. My goal is to help others discover the joy of making things with their hands, and I hope my website serves as a space for everyone to explore their creative potential.