How to Make a Cardboard Playhouse

The old joke abut kids liking the boxes the gift came in better than the gift itself may be truer than we would like to believe. Boxes fascinate kids, probably because they are big and can be made into anything from spaceships and trains to sailboats and playhouses. With a little time and effort, you can make a playhouse for your child from an ordinary cardboard box.

Things You'll Need

• Large cardboard box
• Sharp knife
• Paint and brushes
• Cutouts from magazines

Instructions

1. Select a box that is at least 6 inches taller than your child so he can stand up in it. Check appliance stores for large boxes. Most will hold a box for you, but be sure to pick it up right away before the store breaks it down for recycling.

2. Cut holes for windows at the right height for your child. Cut a door. You may want to cut three sides and leave one as a hinge for older children. Small children may prefer an open entry.

3. Paint the outside of the box in your child's favorite color. Pastels appeal to young girls, while bright primary colors may appeal to boys.

4. Trim the windows and doors with a complementary color. Add decorative features such as flowers, vines or shrubs along the sides to resemble landscaping.

5. Add wallpaper or paint to decorate the interior walls. Consider pasting pictures from magazines to the walls to represent common household objects. This is a great project to do with your child.

6. Provide a small table and chair and household items and encourage your child to engage in dramatic play. This teaches him about the world around him and helps him make sense of the grownup world.

References

• Dramatic Play

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish