The Best Timeless Toy

The best timeless toy is the humble cardboard box. Simplistic in it's creation, while limitless in its possibilities. Creativity is endless. Time becomes magical and children are transformed from the mundane to magical places. Parents can assist in the creation process by cutting windows and painting designs, but really, letting the children do the work themselves while being monitored can be the best learning and exploring situation.

Christmas present

This might seem strange to many but I had friends give their young son a huge box as a Christmas present. Now before you say anything, he loved it. He played inside it. The box was a rocket ship for him and a house for his sisters. When they played together, it was a school. They cut windows into the sides. When the box wouldn't hold up any longer, it became a flattened box that was transformed into a raceway for his cars and trucks. He loved his box and it got many hours of play and love.

Outside play

Large boxes are great for playing outside. They can become houses or tents. You can put them together for different rooms. My daughters used theirs once they started to collapse as a tube they rolled around the grass inside of. In the wintertime, they make for a great ride down a snowy hillside. In fact, in the summer they make for a great ride down a grassy hillside.

Inside play

Similar to outside play, they can be transformed into play places. More than one can become different rooms. My daughters will connect them with sheets to make forts. They even like being closed up inside the box with the flaps closed. If there is a window cut, they will open it and peek out.

Variations over time

As mentioned above, a box transforms over time into different kinds of playful uses. Whether it be a box shape, a flatten box or parts of a box, children can use their imagination to transform the humble cardboard into a variety of magical play things. Just let them create. Their afternoon will be filled.

Seasonal options

Again, as mentioned above, whether it is sunny or snowy a box can be utilized as a play object. I have heard many a parent say, "I don't know why I bought presents, he or she just played with the box!"

With the next major appliance purchase, make sure they leave the box. If you don't have children, give the box to your neighbors children, they will love it. In fact, for your next gift giving opportunity, consider giving the humble box and see what magic happens.