For kids, there’s a magical quality about an empty cardboard box. It has so many possibilities, so many things it can be turned into, and so many ways to decorate it. Here are four easy projects to ignite the imagination.
The Perfect Tiny Town
Fill a long, shallow cardboard box most of the way with dirt and pack it down. Create trenches, roads and hills for a varied terrain. Cover the dirt with moss, real or fake, to make grass. Add pinecones, rocks and twigs for trees, roads and other landmarks. A lake can be made from a small mirror or piece of tin foil. Make little houses, barns and cars from other boxes.
A Castle Fit for a King or Queen
This project can be made from a small box to be used used for toys or a big appliance box for kids to play in. Cut notches from the top of the box for parapets, squares for windows and a flap for a door that opens and closes. If you want to add turrets, glue paper or cardboard tubes on the sides. Paint or cover with paper or foil. If you’re looking for more cardboard boxes to use for multiple kids, consider checking your local grocery store or your storage unit, like Cranbury NJ self storage.
Playing Mailman
A personal mailbox is a fun project for Valentine’s Day or for any child who loves to play with paper. Glue two boxes of the same size together and cover with paint or paper. Blue is the traditional color, but have fun with a variety of bright colors. Cut two flaps. One flap goes on the top for putting the mail in, and one flap goes on the bottom for collecting the mail. Make handles from rope or yarn and either glue them to the box or string them through small holes in the flaps.
Cook Up Something Fun
Don’t spend a lot of money on a kitchen play set. Make your own! For a stove, glue some red or black paper plates or construction paper circles to the top. Attach smaller circles or bottle lids for the control knobs. On the front, cut out a flap for the oven door and glue yarn or twine for a handle.
If you want to make a matching sink, put a plastic bowl with a rim in a hole on the top of the box (cut the hole slightly smaller the the bowl). Reuse lotion or soap dispenser pumps for the faucet. To make the cabinet doors, follow the same steps used to build the oven door.
Author Bio
This article was written by Dixie Somers on behalf of extraspace.com. For more information on self storage units in Cranbury, NJ, visit their website at: http://www.extraspace.com/Storage/Facilities/US/New_Jersey/North_Brunswick/1000000082/Facility.aspx
Oh my gosh! Awesome article. I love these ideas. Thanks so much for sharing. Just beautiful.
hhmm neat ideas. just moved and still haven’t unpacked all the boxes yet, maybe I will use some for the kids to play with.
Thse are so cute and innovative!
These are the cutest ideas EVER!! My granddaughter is gonna love the lil kitchen one!!
Im quite impressed with the box ideas. Thank you for sharing this.
great idea… kids love boxes so much
I love the pictured idea…too cute. Keep them coming.
What clever ideas for old packing boxes, any child would love them!
Great idea’s I loved big boxes to build forts with when I was a kid