This activity promotes development and learning by encouraging children to use large muscles to move and balance their own body, as well as to explore and interact with the environment.
Materials Needed:
- Large boxes (big enough to climb into – the number needed depends on the age of the child)
- Scissors
- Markers, paint, or any other craft items you have at home to decorate your box
Participants: This activity is intended for independent play, however, younger children will require adult preparation and supervision.
Directions:
- Provide a large carton from an appliance (or other large box). Let your child explore the box; feeling it and getting inside.
- If your child is old enough, talk about what the box could be. Help him/her develop it into car, truck, puppet theatre, playhouse, or anything else your child chooses using paint, paper, markers, or any other materials you already have at home.
- Older children can make more complex structures; attaching several boxes together to make larger or connected buildings.
This structure will last for a while, and your child may be inspired to repurpose their creation into something new over time. When you’re ready to disassemble it, be sure to reuse or recycle.
