Betty Boop Vending Machine

If you love retro charm, creative crafts, and a sweet treat, this project combines all three! Inspired by the classic Betty Boop aesthetic and powered by a little DIY magic, I built my very own Betty Boop Candy Vending Machine Dispenser—and the best part? It’s made entirely from cardboard.

This project was inspired by techniques I learned from two amazing YouTube creators: UnHiro and DIY Ocean, who both make incredible cardboard vending machine tutorials. I combined their methods with my own design ideas to create a one-of-a-kind, functional piece of nostalgia.

Inspiration Behind the Build

I’ve always been fascinated by old-school vending machines, and Betty Boop’s vintage style fits perfectly with that theme. The idea was to mix a retro character design with a working candy dispenser, creating something both decorative and interactive.

This project was extra special because it was made as a gift for a true Betty Boop enthusiast! Combining nostalgia with functionality made the whole process even more meaningful and fun.

Materials You’ll Need

Everything I used can easily be found around the house or at a local craft store:

• Cardboard (medium to thick)
• Cutter or craft knife
• Hot glue gun and glue sticks
• Ruler and pencil
• Acrylic paints and paintbrushes
• Hand Drawn Betty Boop image, typography
• Small plastic or paper cups (for candy compartments)
• Candies (M&Ms, Skittles, or mini chocolates)

How I Built It

Step 1: Sketch and Cut the Structure

I started by sketching out the base and the inner mechanism on cardboard. The dispenser design was inspired by UnHiro’s vending machine mechanism, which uses simple slots and levers to release candies one serving at a time.

Step 2: Assembling the Mechanism

Using DIY Ocean’s technique, I built a sliding candy tray system that lets you push and pull to dispense candies. It’s surprisingly satisfying once it works smoothly!

Step 3: Adding the Betty Boop Touch

I covered the cardboard with paper mache to give it a textured and sturdier surface. Then, I hand-drew the Betty Boop character directly onto the front and painted the outer shell with acrylics in a retro red-and-white color scheme.

Keeping with the vintage vibe, I inlaid glittered contact paper for extra sparkle and added foam accents to create a realistic rock-style texture. The combination of shine and texture really made the whole dispenser pop with that classic, old-school charm.

Step 4: Final Details

After everything dried, I tested it with candies—success! The dispenser not only works but looks adorable. It’s both a functional candy holder and a fun piece of décor.

The Final Result

The finished product is a retro-style candy dispenser that brings a smile every time. It’s proof that with a bit of creativity (and some cardboard!), you can turn simple materials into something truly unique.

Tips & Takeaways

Be patient when cutting and gluing cardboard layers and assembling this piece; precision makes a big difference.

Customize the design — try different themes, characters, or colors!

If you’re new to DIY, check out UnHiro and DIY Ocean on YouTube. Their tutorials are fantastic for beginners.

Video Coming Soon!

I’ll be posting a short video and close-up photos of my finished Betty Boop Candy Dispenser soon—stay tuned!