I still have Christmas-making to show you! Can you believe it! I don't know where my head is.
Well, long ago I came across an article which, of course, I didn't save (or possibly saved somewhere really, really special). It was by a mom who noticed that her little boy loved to play with the things she found at the hardware store. So she made him his own box with real hardware to open and shut and click and clack to his heart's content.
I never got around to making one for our own kids, but now that we are grandparents, well, the time had come. I told The Chief my plan and he was all for it. We would make two — one for FX and that family and one for Pippo and that family. Although I couldn't track down the original article I had in mind, I did find this inspiration on Pinterest.
Of course, as usual, I didn't think to work on this sometime in the summer or any other reasonable time, and he always works hard right up until the moment Christmas is upon us, so we had to scramble to get the vision into reality.
One big obstacle for me was that the preferred vehicle for this busy box would be a box. A wooden box for carpenter's tools, or even like the one I have my sewing things in — that would be sturdy enough. I remember Habou getting it for me from a crafts supply place, and it must have been in the late 80s. Just to judge by how I decorated it!
I am quite sure that such a thing was fairly available until maybe the 90s? And now it's just not. I am sad about that.
Well, despite quite a bit of searching, I couldn't find anything sturdy and simple. Or anything at all wooden. So we went with what we had in the garage — a piece of countertop that he sanded down and some other scrap pieces for the sides and back. You want to extend the back so that the sharp bolts and screw ends are hidden.
Then we went to town on the things to attach. It was fun. Even the guy at the hardware store had fun brainstorming things that click (like the innocuous looking little black knob there that actually clicks as you turn it in a very satisfying way) and snap and close and open.
We avoided electrical outlet things — those outdoor outlets with the covers that snap shut are very appealing, but we decided that it would be irresponsible of us to highlight such a thing.
Training for opening locked windows and doors seems like enough danger for one set of grandparents to bestow.
It's hard to keep in mind which way is up, so yes, this outlet cover is upside down! But the switch is fun.
The outside faucet knob (below on the left corner) was the closest thing we could find to a single doorknob that turns (there are simple ones for closet doors but they don't turn, so forget it). Maybe you could find a used one, but at least this turns.
And it needed a little door. I'm hoping it will be sturdy enough, but it's easy to fix if not. The actual delay in finally giving these over (it was all done — two! — by Christmas morning otherwise) was my inability to settle on a picture for this spot. Because it needed a picture…
Finally I decoupaged this one (printed out from my computer and from this delightful book: Alice Provensen's The Animal Fair — keep an eye out for it at yard sales!), but it might be fun to put a picture of the parents or the family in there too:
I think if you start now, just collecting random little latches and locks and hinges, you will be good to go by Christmas! I hope they enjoy their busy boxes!
Julie says
What a great idea! I’ve seen such things available for purchase, but they’re usually so expensive. With home-made, you could also tailor to your own little ones’ interests and abilities… Thanks for the tip! I’ll be sure to show my hubby.
priest's wife (@byzcathwife) says
that is too sweet! …my boy is old (7)….but I do have little nephews….I have got to get to work…
Mama Rachael says
I made a much simpler and smaller version for my little guy, but perhaps it was a bit ahead of the game for him? He might enjoy it now. Had a few locks, a hinge and some knobs. I like the door idea. I could easily take the bits off the board they are on and put them on a new board, though. I used an random 2×8 I had laying around.
Cristina says
I’ve been thinking of making something like this for my little ones for a while, but I like the idea of a box better! If I were able to find an appropriate box, do all the do-hickies go on the inside or on the outside or both? I’m having a hard time visualizing what that would actually look like!
Leila says
Cristina — I envisioned the latches on the exterior of the box, latching it, and the other things inside — maybe on a tray inside (my workbox has a removable tray) or on a board that is the right size to fit in there. I could really go to town on a box!!
Terry says
Oh great idea! My Mom made my little brother something similar way back in the 50’s and he loved it. Took it EVERYWHERE with him, even to church.
Mary says
I’ve seen these and think they are so cute until I realize probably the last thing I want to teach my certain handful of a two year old is how to open locks!!! He’d be out the door or window within a day or two 🙂
Kate says
Ooooh! Dangerous! Enabling kids to create havoc. When we moved into our house 10+ years ago, we took the doorknob off the cellar door and put a sliding latch up high so the kids couldn’t get into it. Now the youngest are older and more responsible and my baby has a worm farm going down there, but, of course, we still haven’t put the doorknob back on. And naturally, all my brilliant children can open child-proof lids.
Kristi says
I love it! Too bad my son is 7 and I have no young nephews! Will try to remember this when I’m a grandma.
Wanda says
I’ve seen these in Barnes and Nobles for lots of $$$$. For sure I will have Mr. Golfer make 2 next year for the grandsons! Great inspiration Aunt Leila!
Alicia says
Thank you so much doing this for your grandchildren and publishing it. Most kids today don’t have access to a workshop so these experiences are hard to come by. I have worked with so many preschool and elementary children referred for fine motor difficulties, especially boys, who don’t have any real world experience using fine motor skills! This type of activity teaches soooo many things: frustration tolerance, sequences, cause and effect, eye hand coordination, use of hand and wrist vs. using arm hand to manipulate, hand/finger strength, concentration, focus, attention to detail, as well as fine motor coordination. Another great go along is a “doll” with zippered, snapped, buttoned, buckled (no velcro!), and laced clothing.
Barbara says
I always wanted to make something like that when. My boys were little, but also never got around to it. There is hope for grandparenthood!
PS I found some nice wood boxes at Hobby Lobby that I made into Lego boxes (sheet of flat Lego board glued to top and mixed Legos inside for on the go) but I’m not sure the wood is sturdy enough for screws.
Elena @ barefoot and sometimes pregnant says
I got one of those Melissa and Doug boards that look sort of like this and the only problem with it…all my kids now know how to open any sort of lock. There is no keeping the 1.5 year old out of any thing now…haha!
Christine says
My husband wanted to make something similar, but was discouraged by the cost of all the fun little latches and knobs. We found a Melissa and Doug one at a thrift store for $5, though, which was a great deal. The kids really enjoy it!