Turn a Box Into Something Awesome — a Clubhouse!

By Jessica Martinez

Sep 1, 2021

30 min activity

When Alma and her friends are given a huge cardboard box, they get right to work turning it into their very own clubhouse. Alma knows that their empty box can be used for all kinds of creative play. In this activity, help your child discover the potential of an ordinary box with just a few common art materials and their favorite stuffed animals.

Gather a box and any art supplies your child enjoys using. Talk with your child about what they’d like to create and help them to imagine the different possibilities for the box — could it be a house for their favorite bear? Could it be a restaurant? Or could it be a clubhouse like Alma and her friends designed? While your child dreams up different uses for the box, ask them what kinds of features their box might need. Would they like to add a window or a sign over the door? Encourage your child to consider what their stuffed animals would enjoy about hanging out in their creation. Does giraffe need a peek hole at the top of the box? Does lion love the color orange? Then get to work helping your child make their creative vision a reality!

Materials

Directions

Sit with your child and consider the potential for the box together. Brainstorm different ideas for what the box could be.

Come up with some features their creation might need, such as windows or doors. With adult guidance, use the scissors to cut them out. (You can even use the cut-outs to create other things, such as signs or a pot for a paper flower — whatever your child dreams up!)

Give your child the materials and freedom to imagine, design and create - with a helping hand ready if they ask for one. As they work, ask them questions about which stuffed animals, dolls, or action figures will play in the box, and what kinds of things they’ll enjoy doing. As your child answers, they may think of new ideas for their box.

Help your child gather their favorite stuffed animals and enjoy playtime!

We hope you had fun together! Snap a photo of you and your child doing the activity and share it with us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. We’d love to see how it turned out!

Want more “Alma’s Way” activities? Check out the Paint the View From Your Window craft and the Create a Hero Song activity to continue the fun!