Transform a Cardboard Box Into a Toy For Your Child
As a parent, you probably realize that there is a lot of junk in your house. Raising kids is a full-time job in itself and that means sometimes other household chores fall by the wayside. Before you throw out that junk, however, you may actually find yourself sitting on a gold mine for potential new toys for your child. With a little time and ingenuity, you can make new toys for your child that they can occupy themselves with for a time. Not only will this free you up from some junk, but it could save you a little money in the toy department. This article will discuss some of the DIY projects you can do to transform a cardboard box and paper towel rolls into engaging toys that your children will love.
1. Old-Fashioned Typewriter
By using a rolling pin for the platen and combining it with a label maker, your children can make their own messages and stickers — and you know how much children love their stickers. Using leftover cardboard paper from other crafts as their paper will not only give purpose to the leftovers, but the fun colors will delight children.
2. Puppet Show Theatre
If you have a large cardboard box just sitting around, you can easily transform it into a makeshift stage for puppet shows. Only a bit of trimming is required to have it form the shape you need. Then simply color and decorate it how the children like it, add a few curtains, and you’re ready for show time! Adding a small chalkboard to the front to announce the next show is an adorable little touch.
3. Cars
You might have played with these when you were a kid, too. There’s a reason it’s become popular — it’s a whole lot of fun. Depending upon the size of your child, take either a medium-sized or large cardboard box and open up the top and bottoms, so that it can fit around your child. Then attach some paper plates — colored like wheels, of course — and have your child help you paint or color the outside of the box to make the car of their dreams. Watch them race around the yard, expending that endless supply of energy. By attaching the cars together, you can even form a train!
4. Guitar
If your child is of the musical sort, you can make them their very first guitar. By taking a small cardboard box and attaching it to a larger cardboard face that’s been cut into the shape of a guitar, you can create an instrument. Include other packaging supplies such as a cardboard-tube neck and rubber bands, and your child will be well on their way to starting their own band and selling out concert halls.
Imagination Knows No Bounds
These are just a few of the many DIY projects you can make. The best part is you can share the experience together whilst creating these fun and imaginative toys. Working on a project together is one of the best ways to not only connect with your children but also to nurture that bond and help stimulate their minds to not only think creatively but also to understand mechanics. You could end up with a future engineer in your household!