Turn a Cardboard Box into the Best Toy Ever: From Trains to Radios

Kids love cardboard boxes. This has always been true. Now, you can enhance the wonderful experience of crawling in and out of a box by following the suggestions in this article. There are plenty of ways to turn a box (or two or three) into even better toys.

First off, you need a box. Most supermarkets have an excess of cardboard boxes and are more than happy to get rid of some, you just need to ask a clerk. The sizes of the boxes will vary drastically, so choose ones that fit the activity you want to do.

Car. Whether boy or girl, your child will love having a cardboard box car that can be decorated in a custom style. Simply break out the paints or markers and some stickers. Draw headlights on the front of the car, and a grill. Cut a cardboard circle out and paint it black, then attach it with a pin or fastener to the inside flap of the car for a steering wheel. Don't forget to draw doors and add cardboard wheels!

Train. Make a fun train for stuffies by chaining together three or four smaller boxes. Shoeboxes work very well for this project. Poke holes in the back of the engine and the front of the caboose. The middle cars should have holes in front and back. Then, push some string through the holes and tie a washer to each end. This will join all the cars together. Add a long string to the front of the train, drop in some stuffed animals and let your child pull his train around the house.

Cave. Draw rocks on the outside of a large box (stove and fridge boxes work perfectly) and decorate the inside like a cave. You can paint it grey or brown inside, or use contact paper for a faster creation. Draw a fire on one wall, use red and yellow tissue paper to create the flames. Spread a blanket on the floor and voila! You have a perfectly liveable cave!

Radio. Take a smaller box and cover it with construction paper. Draw a speaker on with a black marker and use colored thumbtacks for buttons. You can even put a radio dial on, a cardboard circle attached with a paper fastener so it will turn. The finishing touch is a microphone that you can make out of a small box that fits in your hand. Cover it in black construction paper and attach to the box with a length of string. This can be a great homemade radio for any control center.

These are just a handful of ideas for using cardboard boxes. Guaranteed, your kids will come up with even more!