HomePlay: Maker's Box

We just finished up our Earth Day week where we learned about recycling and taking care of our Earth.  We always end this week with a "clean" trash pickup!  We litter our playgrounds with "clean" trash like paper products and rinsed out bottles and cans, then let the children help clean up and recycle the trash.  They love this and get so bothered that someone came and messed up their playground. 

 

We try to teach the children about how to reduce, reuse, and recycle, and this HomePlay really embodies that spirit!  It's a Maker's Box that should encourage lots of imaginative play, along with strengthening problem-solving skills.

Maker's Box
You will need:

• a box or container
• scraps of paper, yarn, ribbon, whatever you can find!
• toilet paper and paper towel rolls
• plastic cups and plates
• cereal or food boxes
• masking tape
• scissors
• gluestick

You can use whatever you have around the house, but the above are just ideas.  You just want to add in items that provide visual and textural interest and would be good to create with!  Provide the masking tape (which is easier to tear off), safety scissors, and a gluestick.  You can also add in markers or crayons for decorating.  Keep everything together in a box and let your child use the materials to create and build whatever they choose!  Playing in this way encourages creativity, problem-solving, and higher thinking.  Enjoy the process of making!