​​​​​​​​​​​​Materials: Boxes, writing tools, stickers, scrap fabric.

STEP 1

Designate a place for creating and introduce your child to the space.

STEP 2

Provide one big box or several boxes of different shapes and sizes. Discuss the differences in the shapes and sizes.

STEP 3

Observe how your child interacts with the box and ask questions like:

  • How big is it?
  • Can you fit inside?
  • What does it remind you of ?

STEP 4

Make suggestions about what you could create. Let your child take the lead. Offer materials like paint, stickers, paper, or scraps of fabric.

MAKE IT EASIER:

Limit the number of boxes and materials.

EXTEND THE LEARNING:

  • Build a car or a playhouse using a box.
  • Open both ends of the box and turn it sideways to make a tunnel.
  • Pretend to be a jack-in-the- box.

​WHAT IS MY CHILD LEARNING?

Your child is developing their creativity, testing ideas, and solving problems.

WHY?

When we allow children the freedom and opportunity to explore, create, fail, and reassess, we are helping them form connections in their brains. All engaging experiences—even ones from cardboard boxes—help children learn about the world around them and how they influence it.​

parent pushing a child in a cardboard box