This week's link is to a post that Patricia Zapata, graphic designer, did to show off her kids' cute clever toys they made out of packaging.
When I saw this, I thought about how much money is wasted on toys when children are just so happy with the simplest materials.
I know my own children would have loved these cardboard structures and would certainly have played with them for hours in this way and probably in other ways we can't imagine. Keep your eyes open for fun packaging materials for your children's play!
Barbara says
I wish my teens and young adults would find a way to have fun so simply! Those were the days…
Laura Jeanne says
That's a really cool idea. My husband and I own a business making wooden toys, and yet I have to admit that much of the time, toys are simply not necessary. Kids can have fun with all kinds of things they find around the house. Creativity is the key.
_Leila says
Hi Laura Jeanne!
I've seen your beautiful toys on your site! If children had these lovely wooden toys and a few cardboard boxes, they'd be all set!
Betsy M says
My girls played for two years with a cardboard box that their Dad helped them make into a play house. They are still having a hard time forgiving the little boy who came to play and broke it. Oh well. That little dollhouse up top is adorable! I had also seen online where you can make your own family of wooden dolls about that same size. I'll have to remember this project for this winter when the kids are inside once again.
Kimberly says
My children have a box full of plastic thread spools, of all shapes- their favorties are the cone spools from serger threads- they also collected the plastic caps from milk cartons and other assorted packaging pieces- they create all sorts of with their treasures, They also watch the boxes we get from our warehouse store, our girls use those for all sorts of things in their “houses”! We love recycled toys too.
Kimberly
homeschoolingahandful.blogspot.com
Freckled Hen says
This is a good idea, we suffer from saving things almost to a fault. We've moved and unpacked boxes of empty boxes. I hope you are enjoying your summer, I looked for you as we were driving through Massachusetts to visit family. Did you see me? I had big frizzy hair and my feet hanging out the window.
_Leila says
I can't believe you didn't come visit.
margo says
We joke around here that before we throw something away, we give it to the kids to play with. I have the photos for a post about my son playing kitchen with the tops and tails from the green beans I did. I think he played with them for 45 minutes before I gathered them for the compost.
The bonus of children who play this way is that they can entertain themselves ANYwhere!
jan says
35 years ago my kids got cardboard boxes after they helped put away the groceries. Those boxes became boats and trains and doll houses and castles. It was a great toy!