 |
I remembered the joy my older grand girls had years ago and decided I'd do the same for the younger ones. Can't believe I painted this one; attached a laminated top for spills and lined the openings with fabric!
I found good sizes and shapes from my neighborhood Target, Staples and Kohl's. They were folded but not yet trashed. I chatted with the customer service folks in each store and asked if there was a best day to inquire. I was feeling pretty lucky by the third stop! Shipments arrive daily; after unpacking, boxes are folded and stored until shredded and/or compacted. Most days there'll be some for the asking!
Three kids over four days and look at the awesome fun we had! Lane chose the largest of two luggage-containing boxes to be his fort. He suggested a box cutter from the garage..."like Daddy uses"...but none could be found so we settled for sharp scissors. He penciled in lines to follow and I cut an opening for the door. He measured each side and sketched in lines so both windows would be even.
He was eager to play in it; so I left him alone. He spent hours playing with Beyblades and munching on snacks and sandwiches. Even better in his eyes was when I crawled in to eat lunch with him!
The next day, Paige's idea was to fancy it up with curtains for a house or staging puppet shows. I finally found a use for my Mom's old lace runners! Paige used a glue stick while I held the flashlight and helped keep it even.
She lured Burney in and barricaded the windows and door....but he shot out of there with a squeally meow that sounded like "no way!"
The following weekend the twins both stayed over and were eager to play with the box; what a perfect way to capture their time and imagination instead of negotiating TV, Kindle and/or computer time limits! Their store was selling pillows, books and dollhouse furniture for "real money!" They emptied their piggy banks and played for hours. If only I'd video taped it and captured their adorable conversation and comments!
Afternoon temps in the 70's took us outside; but instead of scooters or bikes....they went for the other boxes in the garage and became instant robots!
He nestled in and eventually asked for his phone (equipped for games only) and I reluctantly set the timer. Giving me an hour of imaginative ideas and creative smiles was worth giving in...that's what Grandmas' do!
This is so great to see! All the creativity and play time. When my son was little he would open a present and then spend hours playing with the box.
ReplyDeleteI love things like this and have had excellent results with the same idea! Imaginations really come to life with boxes to make anything your little heart desires. Your grandchildren are adorable! I wonder if the kitty returned later and nestled in after the kids went home. My cats cannot resist a cardboard box of any size or shape!
ReplyDeleteThe imagination is such a wonderful thing! Great photos! Amara used to just love to make trains out of boxes and be pulled around the house. But then she had an indoor ladybug tent so never thought to make a structure from the boxes.. She did decorate her trains! We are so lucky.
ReplyDeleteBoxes are the best! I worked part time at an appliance store when my kids were small and sometimes brought home refrigerator and stove cartons. Thanks for jogging a memory.
ReplyDeleteBob and Kc....you both are always the first to respond and always so encouraging! I have noticed on your blogs the rolling list of other/favorite blogs and must assume they pop up automatically...as I haven't posted this anywhere yet. Obviously you and Olga and Joyce all have the techy skills to know how to do this....can you tell me how? I type Amarland and Things My Grandkids.....into my browser and you guys pop up; but I don't know how to make you come to me! Anyway....thank you all my friends for enjoying this post and taking time to tell me your experiences! Hugs! :)
DeleteIf you are using Blogger, on the layout page there is a box labeled "my blog list." Click "edit" and follow the prompts.
ReplyDeleteYes I see it...thanks! I have to actually put the link in so takes a little time. Appreciate it :)
DeleteCopy and paste the link; it makes it a lot easier to get it right.
DeleteOh, boxes are the very BEST entertainment. Last time I visited my grandsons, I noticed their dad had put a big ol' box from a recliner purchase in the recycle pile. No, no, no, I thought. I pulled it out and it became a beloved fort in no time.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Joan! Thank you for sharing it!
Love that grandmas have that vision/creativity and you rescued the big box! They're stacked in my garage when kids are not here.....starting to get crunched and bent and messy looking. Hoping the novelty will wear out by spring cleaning!
DeleteBoxes are definitely the best! Looks like you have some budding architects in your midst!
ReplyDeleteYou're a wise grandma to give them a start and let them call the rest of the shots.
ReplyDeleteYes, Sarah and Susan! That was part of the fun to just sit back and watch and listen to their ideas and comments; either when it was just one or when they were together. I exclaimed over every idea except the one involving how to make a potty inside! LOL
DeleteAren't those boxes grand! Every so often, I've found big boxes hanging around and brought them home, or gotten a new item with a big box. Those boxes have each provided weeks of grand fun for my grandkids each time! Very fun indeed. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you sweet Kaye! These are starting to lose their appeal with warmer/outside weather finally here!
DeleteAwesome robots! In our house it was forts. Lots of blankets, pinned up throughout my daughters room and in our family room. Hours of creative fun and fabulous memories. Today, it's iPhones for 4 year olds. Ugh. Give me a sand box, empty boxes and blankets for forts any day of the week.
ReplyDeleteAmen, Tammy! Just like the Huff article today says.....let them just be.... and entertain themselves! Thanks for reminding me about blanket forts; going to suggest next time my kiddos are over!
DeleteJust add some Tupperware and you're good to go..for many, many hours of fun!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Janie.....good idea!
DeleteLove. Sometimes we forget that the simplest things make the best toys.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely! I've gathered some more suggestions in comments here. Anything that requires actually playing and being engaged mentally and physically! Thanks for reading me!
DeleteWith both my children and now my granddaughter I have sometimes thought just getting them a box would be the best gift. My granddaughter enjoyed having a large box last year and thought it was the door to the princess castle. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWe've thrown may away without a second thought. Wanted to see how easy it would be to get at local stores.....and it was! Better to recycle/reuse from the get-go thought, right? Love the idea of a princess castle in stead of always a boy fortress! LOL
Delete