This egg carton chicken craft is such a fun way to turn recycled materials into something totally adorable! With just an egg carton, a little paint, and a few simple craft supplies, you can create the cutest little chickens with googly eyes and pipe cleaner details. They’re small, lightweight, and full of personality — perfect for spring crafting.
This easy egg carton craft is low-prep, budget-friendly, and perfect for classrooms, playdates, or a quick afternoon project for kids of all ages. It’s a fun and creative way to reuse something you’d normally toss in the recycling bin! So grab an empty carton and let’s turn it into something egg-stra cute. 😉
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How to Make an Egg Carton Chicken
Materials:
- Egg carton
- White acrylic paint
- Pipe cleaners (white, red, orange)
- Cardstock (orange, red)
- Googly eyes (7 mm)
Equipment:
See the craft in action:
Instructions:
Step 1: Find what you need
- Gather your supplies and materials.
Step 2: Cut and paint the egg carton
- Cut a “cone” section from an egg carton (the sticking up piece that separates the egg cups).
- Trim the bottom of the cone so it’s nice and neat, creating a scalloped edge.
- Then paint the cone white. Allow to dry and add a second coat, if necessary.(With multi-surface or good quality paint you should only need 1 coat.)
Step 3: Make the pipe cleaner pieces
- Use a white pipe cleaner to make the chicken’s wings. Begin by bending the pipe cleaner down about 2 inches, keeping the fold rounded.
- Make a second fold beside it, about 1/4 inch shorter than the first.
- Repeat, making two more folds, going 1/4 inch shorter each time. Twist the pipe cleaners together at the bottom to finish off the wing.Then make a second wing, following the same steps.
- Use another white pipe cleaner for the chicken’s tail. Use the same technique as you did for the wings, but do 3 sections instead of 4.Make the longest “loop” about 1-3/4 inches and ensure you leave at least 1 inch of pipe cleaner below the tail feathers.
- Fold a red pipe cleaner for the chicken’s comb. Make 3 equal sections about 1/2 inch long and twist the pipe cleaner at the bottom to secure them together.
- Use an orange pipe cleaner for the chicken’s feet. Make 3 folds about 3/4 inches long.Secure the pipe cleaner and leave a straight section about 1-1/2 inches long. Fold this down at a 90 degree angle and then repeat to make a second foot.
Step 4: Cut the beak and wattle
- To make the beak and wattle you’ll need red and orange cardstock. You can also use felt or construction paper.
- Cut a teardrop shape from the red cardstock to create the wattle. Then, for the beak, use orange cardstock to cut a diamond shape. Fold the diamond in half.
Step 5: Assemble the chicken
- Here are all the pieces you should have to put your chicken together.Here are all the pieces we’ve made so far, plus 7 mm googly eyes.
- Begin by making a small hole in the top of your egg carton piece, if there isn’t one already. Add a dot of hot glue to the top of the cone.
- Push the end of the comb into the hole.
- Add 2 lines of glue to the front inside of the egg carton piece, on either side.Place the legs into the glue and then adjust them so they’re sticking out the front and the chicken can sit down.
- Glue the long section of the tail inside the back corner of the egg carton.
- Fold the tail so it goes up the chicken’s back. Here’s what it should look like.
- Bend the wings so that they’re curved. Add a dot of glue to where the folds combine.
- Place a wing with the shortest section at the top, so the wings are curving in towards the back.Repeat, adding the second wing on the other side.
- Glue the beak to the center of the “face” and place the wattle below it on one side. Then add googly eyes above the beak.
- Your egg carton chicken is complete!
- Have fun making a whole flock of chickens to fill up your barnyard!
Helpful Tips:
- Cut the carton cleanly: Cardboard egg cartons can tear unevenly, so trim each egg carton “cone” neatly before painting. A smooth edge will make your chicken look more polished and easier to decorate.
- Pre-cut pieces for groups: If you’re crafting with younger kids or a classroom group, cut the egg carton sections and paper beaks ahead of time. This makes the project easier to assemble and keeps things moving smoothly.
What type of egg carton do I need for this chicken craft?
You’ll need one egg carton “cone” per chicken — this is the pointed section between the eggs. Cardboard egg cartons work best because they’re much easier to paint and glue than Styrofoam cartons.
Do I need pipe cleaners to make an egg carton chicken?
We love the fuzzy look pipe cleaners give the feet, wings, and more, but you can definitely make this craft without them. Try cutting feet and comb shapes from extra egg carton pieces, or use felt, construction paper, or craft foam instead!
What glue works best for this chicken egg carton craft?
We recommend hot glue for assembling your chicken. It holds the wings and other details firmly in place. A low-temperature or dual-temp glue gun is a safer option when crafting with kids.
If you prefer not to use hot glue, tacky glue will also work — just be prepared to hold the pieces in place while they dry!
This egg carton chicken craft is such a fun way to turn something simple into a bright and cheerful spring decoration. With just a few basic supplies and a little creativity, you can transform an ordinary carton into the cutest little chicken.
They’re quick to make, easy to customize, and perfect for Easter, farm themes, or everyday crafting. Once you make one, it’s hard not to create a whole flock of these chickens!
Here’s even more egg carton craft ideas:
Now available
Low-Mess Crafts for Kids Book
72 cute and fun crafts that kids and parents alike can enjoy. All with as little mess as possible!
Where to buy:
You can purchase Low-Mess Crafts for Kids from Amazon, or wherever books are sold:
Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Books-A-Million | Indiebound | Amazon Canada
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