🎿 DIY: Create Your Own Ski Lift at Home (Using Cardboard!)
Missing the slopes? Need a crafty activity to keep your little skier entertained on a rainy weekend or during ski season countdown? We’ve got the perfect project: a working ski lift made from cardboard!
It’s fun, educational, and a great way to fuel excitement for your next trip to the mountains. Best of all, it uses simple materials you probably already have at home.
🧰 What You’ll Need:
- A large cardboard box (or several pieces of flat cardboard)
- String or yarn (about 1.5–2 metres)
- Paperclips or small buckets for ski chairs
- Toilet paper tubes or straws (for pulleys)
- Tape (masking or duct)
- Glue
- Scissors
- Pencil + ruler
- Optional: Paints, markers, stickers for decorating
⛷️ Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Build Your Mountains
Cut two triangles out of cardboard to make your “mountains.” These will support the ski lift. Make sure the bases are wide enough to stand up, or create a folded flap at the bottom for stability.
💡 Tip: Add snowy peaks with white paint or cotton wool for extra flair!
Step 2: Create the Pulley System
Punch a hole near the top of each mountain. Slide a straw or skewer through each hole — this will act as a pulley to guide your string. You can also use toilet paper tubes if you want chunkier pulleys.
Make sure the pulleys are level with each other so the lift can move smoothly.
Step 3: String It Together
Thread the string through your pulleys and pull it around into a loop. Tie the ends together to make a continuous loop that can rotate.
This is your ski lift cable!
Step 4: Make the Chairlifts
Use paperclips, mini baskets, or fold small cardboard rectangles to create seats. Tape them securely to the string — evenly spaced apart.
Want extra detail? Add tiny passengers! Draw or print out mini skiers and glue them to the chairs.
Step 5: Make It Move!
To make your ski lift work, you can:
- Turn one of the pulleys by hand
- Attach a crank handle
- Or use a battery-powered motor (optional for older kids)
Watch your little lift go up and down!
🎨 Time to Decorate
Let your imagination run wild. Add:
- Pine trees made from green paper
- A cardboard chalet at the base
- Snowy slopes with cotton wool or glitter
- Signs like “Welcome to LittleSkier Valley!”
This part is just as fun as building the lift itself!
🎓 What Kids Learn From This Project
- STEM skills (engineering, problem-solving, mechanics)
- Creativity & design
- Fine motor skills
- Patience and teamwork
Plus, it’s a brilliant conversation starter about how real ski lifts work – cable tension, pulleys, and balance.
🧵 Optional Challenge: Add a Ski Gondola!
Want to go one step further? Try creating a cabin-style gondola using a small box or egg carton section. Attach string at the top to hang it from the lift cable. Instant alpine upgrade!