CARDBOARD CAPPUCCINO MACHINE

DIY Toy Cappuccino Machine from from a cardboard box

I love cardboard and whenever a new box enters the house it seems such a waste to throw it away. So when we had to get a new kettle last week it meant we were left with a brand new crisp cardboard box. Mmmmmm... I have a back log of things I'd like to make out of cardboard and this box was perfect for a cappuccino machine.

Cardboard box cappuccino machine for kids

I had a lot of fun making this and it didn't take very long. I made it so that the knob on the side and the coffee spout handle and the steam nozzle all move by using a few nuts and bolts. It's been a big hit with the kids and they have been making imaginary chinos left right and centre, I actually don't think I could drink one more drop.

cardboard coffee machine with cute little paper cups

The materials used are as follows:

  • A cardboard box and its cardboard packaging
  • Old ribbon tube  
  • Permanent Marker  
  • 2 bolts and nuts (I used nylon ones)  
  • Small cotton covered button  
  • Wooden dowel 21mm diameter  
  • Kraft solid paper straw  
  • Hole punch  
  • Craft blade  
  • Sticky tape or masking tape  
  • PVA Glue  
  • And for added cuteness 4oz expresso cups and lids 

How I made it: 

  1. Turn the box inside out and re glue it.

  2. Cut and fold the box as shown above, this way you redirect and form new walls and corners and don't have to awkwardly glue on additional walls.

  3. Stick the sides from the inside together using sticky tape or masking tape.

  4. To create the buttons I used three layers of cardboard, one square layer from single faced cardboard, a circle layer (also corrugated) and a smaller circle out of thick card with a hole punched hole. Glued all three layers together with PVA and then glued it to the front of the box.

  5. Create a tray to fit,. Cover it in single faced corrugated cardboard. I also created some structural support in the middle and on the sides. Cut a circular hole for "drainage".

  6. I used a material covered button for the light and glued it in.

  7. Use an old ribbon tube and traced and cut out some discs for the front and back sides. I also used a 2 nuts and bolts for each fastening. This would mean these joints were moveable. I cut a circle the size of the dowel into the coffee spout and glued it in.

  8. Made a hole in the box where I wanted the cardboard tube (steam nozzle) to go, inserted the tube and glued it down (then cut tube to length).

By Zygote Brown Designs