This post (Top 10 things to make from boxes) was originally written in 2014 – however, it is a great time to reshare in preparation for a house FULL of boxes in a few days time.
There are piles and piles of boxes everywhere; nearly every toy comes in a box, so we have them of all shapes and sizes.
Of course, it’s not recycling day yet so the piles aren’t moving for a while. Instead of them just sitting around we have been looking for ideas to make from them instead, with the help of some fantastic blogs we have compiled our favourites and will be working through these this holiday.
We have made Robot costumes before which are very simple and the kids love these.
2. Junk modelling
Another favourite is that you can let your imaginations take over, and the kids have free rein over the end result (well, they do here as we may start with a plan, but it never ends up with what we planned).
Rambling Through Parenthood has made a lovely Robot using an empty tissue box, The Parent Game has made a fabulous train from larger cardboard boxes and there is a wonderful ice cream van over on Family Day’s Tried and Tested.
3. A car track or ramp
By opening out the boxes, you can draw a road for cars and race them around – great fun for toddlers and their competitive sisters.
4. Make a rocket
My kids would love to travel on an aeroplane, which won’t happen anytime soon – however, they could fly to the moon in a rocket instead!
Did anyone else get a doll for Christmas? If, like us, you don’t have enough bed space for the dolls (as well as the teddies), then you could make a make-shift cot from a box. Cover with a sheet, add a pillow and a blanket.
6. A dogs/cat kennel
Very similar to the doll cot idea – make a kennel for the toy dogs – Emmy got a walking Fur-real dog for Christmas and she would love a home for him.
7. A Dolls house
I love this dolls house made from boxes and a kitchen roll, filled with wooden furniture this would give any child hours of fun – with the added bonus of being able to decorate in any way you like.
You could, of course, make a playhouse big enough to go inside like Hodge Podge Craft or a castle complete with turrets!
8. A Boat
Harry and Emmy spent hours on their box boat – we cut a hole into a large box and taped it in the front and back to make a pointed shape, then added seats. They used a plate as a steering wheel and, later on wooden spoons as oars.
9. A Football Table
I love this tabletop blow football game from The Life of Spicers – a game where you can play with the children, very simple yet hours of fun and I just know that the adults would be playing when the kids are in bed!
Photo Credit: The Life of Spicers
10. A Marble Maze Game
Another game which would give hours of fun for the kids (*cough* and adults too). A little more complicated to make but this Marble maze game looks great fun – my children are too small to make themselves however I’m sure I could get creative while they slept one evening.
Do you have any other suggestions for what to make with cardboard boxes? Share in the comments below to give us all some new ideas.
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Clare
Hi, I'm Clare (Emmy's Mummy). A former Nanny and Mother of 2 - Emmy (born February 2010) and Harry (born October 2012). We are Essex based and share our adventures and misadventures of a busy crazy life.
Comments (13)
I really love the dolls house its so cute.
I love these, especially PinkOddys son dressed as a Lego brick. 🙂
I like that doll house! I think my girls would like it too!
What brilliant ideas – that dolls house is amazing!
Great round up of ideas… our cats love boxes so kids often make a cat hide-outs from them
Nice and cosy for them
I was clever and left all the boxes at my parents' house although a cardboard Roman shield does seem to have found its way into the house.
Hehe forward thinking there.
Lots of great ideas! In my house they're usually occupied by cats 😉
I really love the dolls house its so cute.
I love these, especially PinkOddys son dressed as a Lego brick. 🙂
I like that doll house! I think my girls would like it too!
What brilliant ideas – that dolls house is amazing!
Great round up of ideas… our cats love boxes so kids often make a cat hide-outs from them
Nice and cosy for them
I was clever and left all the boxes at my parents' house although a cardboard Roman shield does seem to have found its way into the house.
Hehe forward thinking there.
Lots of great ideas! In my house they're usually occupied by cats 😉
That Lego Brick costume is just brilliant x
Great isn't it
Great ideas! 🙂 x
Thank you