We
all know how it goes... you buy your baby cool toys, and all she wants
to do is play with the box. After observing the Bug play with cardboard
boxes, I noticed that she likes to play with the flaps, find things
inside, and empty it. We always have all sorts of boxes from Amazon
lying around, so one day I cut a hole and a door in one. I put some of
the Bug's toys inside, and I sat back and watched as she amused herself
while reaching in and pulling out the different objects. The artist in
me decided to take this discovery box one step further and really dress
up the box.
The Bug's Discovery Box
The Supplies:
- A cardboard box
- Acrylic paints in white, red, yellow and blue
- Foam brushes
- Scissors and a serrated knife
- Glue gun and glue sticks
- Mod Podge
- Pictures of babies from magazines
- Extra cardboard scraps
- Small mirrors
- Various textured materials: fur, felt, duct tape sheets, foam sheets
The How-To Part:
I
think the assembly is pretty self-explanatory. Start with a cardboard
box and paint it white. After painting it, close up the box again and
re-seal with the glue gun. Use the serrated knife to cut various holes, a
window and a door in the box. Decorate with the other materials. Here's
some detailed pictures of what the Bug's discovery box has/does.
[left] color wheel mirror, grab window (the Bug loves reaching in this window to take out the toys inside), furry and foamy texture
[right] discovery door (the Bug loves this peek-a-boo door too), felt strips, foam cut-outs, peek-a-boo holes
[left] baby faces, duct tape, fur and foam textures, mirror, flap opening for the top of the chute (fits small cars, toys and of course, O's!)
[right] more baby faces, more textures spots and the bottom of the chute (the Bug loves watching the O's pop out of here before gobbling them up)
A
close-up of the top and bottom of the chute. I made the chute out of
some scrap cardboard that comes folded up in sets of new sheets. I used
the glue gun to shape it and keep it in place. Obviously this was put in
place prior to sealing up the box.
The
Bug really enjoys turning the box to look at all the different sides.
She enjoys feeling the different textures. The fur is a real hit,
although she tends to pull it until the strands come off and tries to
eat them. Probably not the best choice of material. She also enjoys
scratching the felt strips and squishing the foam. The mirrors on the
sides are kind of freaking her our right now. She normally loves looking
in the mirror, but I'm not sure if she realizes that the baby in the
little mirrors are her.
In
conclusion, this discovery box was a great idea. It took me most of the
day to make, but I think we'll get a lot of use out of it. I think as
she ages and develops, the Bug will discover different things that she
likes about it.
Have you ever made anything like this for your baby to play with?
Have you ever made anything like this for your baby to play with?
I love this idea! While I have never done anything like this for my son I wish I had!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great mommy....
When our daughter was almost three we needed to buy a new washing machine. With the box we made a big painted house with a door & windows that opened and closed. She loved it. Like your creative idea and pictures!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! Many years ago we ordered a chair from LLBean. The box it came in was HUGE! My kids were small then and LOVED that box! It was hours of enjoyment! It lived all winter in our family room. They ended up decorating it and I cut them windows and a door. Give kids water, sand and bubbles( and a box big enough to get in and out of!) and they are happy for hours! Simple toys are the best!
ReplyDelete