We just moved across country last month and now we have what feels like a bazillion boxes in our garage. I was just about to post them on craigslist when I thought about all the fun the kids could have with them. I made some fun things pretty easily that would've cost us a very pretty penny from the store.
In the spirit of re-use and cheap entertainment, here are a couple of the things I've created so far. Please note that I am NOT any kind of artist. These are not gorgeous pieces of work. These are for my kids and they would've probably been happy with them if I left them brown. What I'm trying to say is, if I can do it, anyone can:
Wardrobe and shoe display: I took a wardrobe box and cut off the top and bottom flaps, including the extra long one at the top. Then I cut out a door in the front but didn't cut it all the way to the floor. The kids seem to think it's more fun if they have to step over something and I thought that would help keep some integrity to the shape. I attached a faux doorknob with braided yarn through a hole in the door. Painting it was the best part. I painted the basics to give a framework to the idea of a wardrobe closet and the kids did the rest. After they painted, they used marker for more detail and stickers for yet another moment of fun. I just took a paper box without the top for the shoe display. I put it on its longest side and attached it to the wardrobe unit. The shoes are inside the box as well as on top (well, in those brief tidying up moments at least).
Townhouse: I used a dishpack box for this, but any big box will do. I cut off the flaps on both the top and bottom and then cut one spot where the sides connect so it opens like an accordion. I drew a couple of doors and windows. Then I cut three sides of the doors so they will open and made one shutter type window and one window that opens from the bottom up. I had a few pieces of extra material lying around so I glued them on the shutters and mini window of a door. Then I did some basic painting of the doors, windows, sky, windows, one step, and a bird. The kids love going in and out of the "houses" and peeking through the windows. (This one would make a cute gift to someone close.) Now, if only I could figure out some way to install a doorbell of some sort...
Car: Paper boxes with 3/4 of the bottom cut out. (The old bottom will now be the top - it becomes the hood of the car.) I then cut out a little bit at the bottom and top to give it a little more of a car shape. I also cut out door handles that the kids can hold onto when they pick up the car around their body and run off yelling "vvvrrroom! Beep beep!" I painted the cars a solid color. The kids had fun sponge painting their own decorations on top.
What ideas have you tried or think might be fun to try?
If you are one of the lucky ones without a box brigade, I recommend you check out any stores that sell big stuff (e.g., Best Buy, WalMart, etc.) and just ask a manager if they have any large boxes that you can take. They are usually quite accommodating. And, given the "green" movement, there are more and more people posting these treasures on such great sites as www.craigslist.org and www.freecycle.org.
I used to complain to my dad when I bought the kids some "cool" toy and there they were playing with the box it came in. He'll be proud to know that I've smartened up and am just giving them the boxes this time around!
Heather Montanaro: Money Correspondent:
Heather's column, Practically Speaking, published 3 times a month to Gather Essentials: Money presents practical advice for everyday living and provides insight on how to pair lifestyle choices with financial realities.
Heather Montanaro holds an Executive MBA from Northeastern University and has held senior positions with local technology and service companies. Now she enjoys staying at home with her 2 young children. She's made the adjustment from 2 to 1 incomes and enjoys helping others reach their personal goals as a Budget Coach.
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Comments: 8
Kids aren't the only ones who love to play with boxes. My cats think boxes are pure heaven.
I remember trying to sleep in one as a child.
There's something about the small space.
You can also make a crawl through - cutting spaces as doorways from box to box. Cut some "skylights" if wanted otherwise a dark, scary crawl though is fun on its own.