How to Make Pinball Games Out of Cardboard

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Pinball is a classic arcade game. When it comes to making your own pinball machine, there are tons of options. You can keep it simple or make it as elaborate as you want. Whichever project strikes your fancy, you're guaranteed to have fun!

Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Creating a Pinball Machine From a Cardboard Shoe Box

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    You will need:
    • Shoebox. You can also use the top
    • Clear tape
    • 2 cups from an egg carton
    • Duct tape for decoration (optional)
    • Scissors
    • Straws
    • Brass paper fastener (1/2" or 3/4")
    • Thin cardboard (the cardboard from a cereal box or tissue box etc.)
    • Marble or other small ball
    • Odds and ends to create obstacles in the playing field (optional). Examples include:
      • Small paper cups
      • Bottle caps
      • Pipe cleaners, markers, aluminum foil, popsicle (craft) sticks
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make Pinball Games Out of Cardboard
    Let it dry overnight.
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make Pinball Games Out of Cardboard
    • Tape or glue the two egg carton cups to one end of the shoe box.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Make Pinball Games Out of Cardboard
    • Fold a two-inch strip of cardboard lengthwise.
    • Attach the cardboard to the lower left-hand corner of the shoebox using a brass fastener.
    • Test the lever by flicking it with your finger to see if it can shoot the marble. Adjust the lever as needed.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Make Pinball Games Out of Cardboard
    • PBS Kids recommends making a path on the left side of the box by taping down a straw to lead your marble to the top of the box. [1]
    • Add a curved piece of paper to the top left corner of the shoebox to enable your marble to roll smoothly to the right.
    • Create an obstacle course with miscellaneous objects on the right side of the box.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Make Pinball Games Out of Cardboard
    Keep testing the playing field until you are satisfied with how the pinball machine works.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Creating a Pinball Machine from a Larger Cardboard Box

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Make Pinball Games Out of Cardboard
    • Materials needed:
      • Pencil
      • Thumbtack
      • Washer wide enough to place around the pencil
      • Spring wide enough to thread around the pencil
    • Stick the thumbtack in the pencil eraser.
    • Slide the washer up next to the thumbtack.
    • Thread the spring onto the pencil.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make Pinball Games Out of Cardboard
    • Cut a hole just big enough to fit the pencil.
    • Thread the launcher through the hole.
    • Use a small piece of cardboard to create a chute next to the launcher for the marble.
    • Use your imagination and create more obstacles.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make Pinball Games Out of Cardboard
    • Determine where you want to locate the flippers.
    • Cut slits in the cardboard box big enough to insert craft sticks.
    • Insert craft sticks. Reinforce the slits with duct tape.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Make Pinball Games Out of Cardboard
    • Attach the cardboard bat to a craft stick or other type of stick.
    • Place the marble on top of the thumbtack, pull back the launcher, and let it go!
    • The Scientific Mom has many suggestions for creating playing field obstacles, including setting up ramps, bells, and flaps.
      • Create tunnels and ramps out of toilet paper tubes.
      • Create flaps using a skewer and cut paper.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

Creating a Cardboard Maze

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Make Pinball Games Out of Cardboard
    Kids can have fun making a simple maze pinball game using a paper plate and a few found items.
    • Gather your materials:
      • Paper plate.
      • Craft supplies such as construction paper, bottle caps, and pipe cleaners.
      • Glue and tape.
      • Scissors.
      • Marbles.
    • Create obstacles for the maze.
      • Cut strips of paper and tape or glue to the inside of the plate rim side up.
      • Tape or glue other objects to the plate.
    • Navigate through the maze with the marble.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make Pinball Games Out of Cardboard
    • Gather your materials:
      • Cardboard box with lid.
      • Wide craft sticks.
      • Utility knife.
      • Hot glue gun.
      • Craft knife.
      • Small circle. A nickel works well.
    • Create a maze on the top of the box lid by gluing the craft sticks with a hot glue gun.
    • Trace circles on the lid using a pencil and nickel.
    • Cut the circles out with a craft knife.
    • Place the lid inside the box and decorate how you want.
    • Use a marble to negotiate the maze and avoid the holes.
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Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Making a Cardboard Skee Ball Game

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    You will need:
    • Two large cardboard boxes of approximately the same size.
    • 2-3 plastic storage bins
    • Sharp craft knife or Canary knife
    • Packing or duct tape
    • Tennis balls (or similar)
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make Pinball Games Out of Cardboard
    [2]
    • Make a ramp by cutting the short side of one of the boxes so it lies down flat. Be sure to leave the rest of the box intact.
      • You should have a box that is solid on three sides with a flap that folds out.
    • Cut out the short side of the other box so it is the same size as the first box.
    • Fold the flap from the first box into the box at an angle so it forms part of a ramp. Tape in Place.
    • Place the cardboard cut from the second box on top of the ramp and tape in place.
    • Place the containers behind the cardboard box.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make Pinball Games Out of Cardboard
    The farther away the container is, the more points scored.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    Do I have to use a brass tacks?
    Kim G
    Top Answerer
    You can use any type of fastener that will enable the lever to be moved to launch the ball. Whatever type you use, make sure there are no sharp edges exposed.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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    Yes No
    Not Helpful 2 Helpful 3
  • Question
    Can I use a hot glue gun instead of a brass paper fastener?
    Kim G
    Top Answerer
    The point of using the fastener is so you can move the lever. Gluing the lever would defeat the purpose, but you can use any type of holder to attach the lever.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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      Things You’ll Need

      • For a cardboard pinball table:
        • Clear tape
        • 2 cups from an egg carton
        • Duct tape for decoration (optional)
        • Scissors
        • Straws
        • Brass paper fastener (1/2" or 3/4")
        • Thin cardboard (the cardboard from a cereal box works well)
        • Marble or other small ball
        • Odds and ends to create obstacles in the playing field. Examples include:
          • Small paper cups
          • Bottle caps
          • Pipe cleaners, markers, aluminum foil, popsicle (craft) sticks
      • For a paper plate maze:
        • Paper plate
        • Craft supplies such as construction paper, bottle caps, and pipe cleaners
        • Glue and tape
        • Scissors
        • Marbles
      • For a skee ball game:
        • Two large cardboard boxes of approximately the same size
        • 2-3 plastic storage bins
        • Sharp craft knife or Canary knife
        • Packing or duct tape
        • Tennis balls (or similar)

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      References

      1. ↑ http://pbskids.org/fetch//parentsteachers/activities/act/act-pinball.html
      2. ↑ https://www.momtastic.com/diy/754057-play-inside-diy-cardboard-skee-ball-game/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      You can make a fun pinball game using just a cardboard shoebox and a few basic supplies. Paint and decorate the shoebox itself first and let it dry overnight. Then, glue a vertical piece of cardboard underneath the shoebox so it rests at an angle. Next, make the ball launcher by hot gluing a strip of cardboard in half over a brass fastener. Insert the brass fastener into the bottom left corner of the shoebox. Finally, design the course inside the shoebox by hot-gluing down obstacles, like straws, strips of cardboard, rubber bands, and bottle caps. To use your pinball game, set a marble in front of the cardboard strip attached to the ball launcher, then flick the brass fastener to launch it. To learn how to make a maze or skee ball game using cardboard, keep reading!

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