Does your child enjoy going to the grocery store and watching the cashier scan items? Then this cardboard cash register craft is right up your alley! I recently made this toy for my son and we both love how it turned out. Being an active 3-year-old, he enjoys pushing the pressable buttons, sliding the cash drawer in and out, and changing the display. As a mom, I love seeing him become involved in imaginary play and excitedly practicing his numbers.

Ready to make a cash register toy of your own? Let’s get making!

What You Need

• Calculator with large buttons (Does not have to function)
• Cardboard box (Larger than calculator)
• Plastic Container (Smaller than cardboard box)
• Extra Corrugated Cardboard
• Paper Towel Roll
• Scissors
• Craft Knife
• Paper
• Pen
• Paint
• Paint Brushes
• Hot Glue Gun
• Packing Tape
• Ruler
• Mod Podge and sponge brush (optional)

Instructions

Step 1
First you’re going to make the cash register’s display.

• Trim your paper towel roll to fit your cardboard box.
• Trace both ends of the tube onto your corrugated cardboard to create two circles. Cut those out.
• Cut out 12 cardboard pieces (approx. 3 1/2″ x 1″) to display your digits (0-9), dollar sign, and cents sign.
• Cut a slit in your paper towel roll to fit your cardboard pieces.

Step 2
Now you’ll make the cash register’s pressable buttons.

• Measure the size of your calculator’s keypad.
• Draw a corresponding sized rectangle onto a piece of paper.
• Move that rectangle around on the top of your box until you’ve found the right spot to cut your hole out.
• Once you’re satisfied, trace the rectangle and cut it out from your cardboard box.

Step 3
Now you’ll make the sliding cash drawer.

• Cut off the bottom of your box.
• If your box is too tall, trim it’s height so that it fits the calculator and your plastic bin cash drawer inside.
• Measure your plastic bin and cut out a corresponding hole in the bottom side of cardboard box.
• Trace your cardboard box onto a piece of corrugated cardboard. Cut that rectangle out to create a new bottom for your cash register.

Step 4
Cut out extra cardboard bits to act as the credit card slider (two long rectangles) and extra buttons.

Step 5
Paint your cardboard box, credit card slider, cardboard buttons, and cash register display pieces. (Optional: Once your paint dries, use Mod Podge to protect your paint job.)

Step 6
Now you’ll put the inside of the cash register together.

• Tape your calculator to the bottom of your cash register so that its buttons poke through the rectangle opening on top.
• Cut out two rectangles from your corrugated cardboard. One will act as a wall, preventing your cash bin from sliding too far into your cash register. Tape this one inside the box. The other rectangle will act as a barrier preventing your cash bin from sliding all the way out. Tape this rectangle to your plastic bin.

Step 7
Now you’ll put the outside of the cash register together.

• Hot glue the bottom of the cash register on.
• Hot glue your cash register’s display, credit card slide, and buttons to the top of your cash register. Now you’re done and the kids are ready to play. Ka-ching! Ka-ching!

Isn’t this neat? I love how we turned a bunch of everyday items into a personalized and fully functional handmade cash register toy! You can make this toy by yourself like I did, or encourage the little ones to join in. This is a great project for kids because it involves painting and building movable, interactive components.

Happy crafting!