Play Houses for Kids to Create from Cardboard Boxes

Nothing sparks a kid's imagination more than a giant cardboard box. The delivery of a large appliance or television sparks flights of fantasy. What can they make out of this cardboard box that is bigger than they are? One of the most common uses for these containers is a variety of play houses. But kids do not have to limit themselves to just one type. Let them raid the craft cabinet and create truly unique homes from cardboard boxes.

Play House - Fairy Tale Cottage

Kids can build a fairy tale cottage from a large cardboard box with ease. Start by painting it white or pink, and lifting up the flaps on the top to form a pointed roof. The roof can be painted another color to look like curved shingles. Cut out a door and a couple of small windows on the sides. Then, paint flowers, swirls, or any other pretty pattern around the doors and windows. Finish the fairy tale cardboard cottage by gluing fake flowers and paper butterflies all around the bottom like a garden.

Play House - Adobe Western House

For little boys that want to play cowboys, an adobe western house is a top pick for cardboard box creations. Of course, you cannot actually plastic the box, so you can paint it off-white or tan instead. Keep the roof flat for an authentic look. Square windows, a wooden-painted door, and cut-out cactus and tumbleweed decorations will complete the look.

Play House - Many Rooms House

To build a cardboard box play house with multiple rooms, your kids need more than one large box. Use tape to attach the boxes together and cut doorways inside so they can move around. Creative kids can even include blanket tents to the structure.

Play House - Deserted Island Hut

Play Survivor in the living room with a cardboard box deserted island hut. Stand the box upright and push the walls outward a bit so the box becomes rounded. Angle the ends of the box in at the top for a round, peaked roof. To decorate the walls, roll up large pieces of newspaper into tubes and paint them to look like bamboo poles. Attach these all around the outside of the island hut. Add green construction paper pal frond to the roof.

Play House - Castle with Drawbridge

Kids love to pretend they are princess or brave knights in armor. What better way to make believe than with their very own castle complete with drawbridge. A large cardboard box is great for this play house. Instead of a normal side-opening door, cut out a drawbridge style door that folds down flat to the ground. Run string up from the corners through holes at the top of the door and inside. Paint the castle grey like stone and cut the top in classic castle block shape. Add a cut-out turret, some waving pennants, and other decorations for a truly magical experience.