Materials
large appliance box
knife (adult only)
paint
paintbrushes
aluminum foil
glue
bottle lids
thin cardboard
stuffed animals or hand puppets
packing tape
Instructions
1. Place box upright. Cut hinged doors and windows (leave one side uncut)
large enough for children to crawl through. Leaving one side of each
window and door uncut will enable you to tape the doors and windows
down when you change the box.
2. Cut a postal slot in the door for children to receive mail.
3. Invite the children to paint the box like a house.
Provide cushions and toys for children to arrange.
4. When the children get tired of the house,
glue aluminum foil around the outside to make
a spaceship. Glue bottle tops inside to make
control buttons.
5. Make cone-shaped hats from cardboard and cover
with foil for the "space people" to wear.
6. Invite the children to paint the inside of
the spaceship.
7. When the children get tired of the spaceship, change
the box into a ""puppet theater." Pull or cut the joints
of the box apart and lay flat on the ground.
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Activities
The GIANT Encyclopedia of Monthly Activities
8. Tape windows and doors shut.
9. Create a corner to stand the box. The flaps of the box will help to keep
it upright. Tape the flaps, if necessary, to strengthen the box.
10. Encourage the children to crouch behind the box and perform a
puppet show. If needed, help them get started or provide a theme for
them to work with. Let them take turns being the puppeteers and the
audience.
More to do Obtain a few boxes and make several houses to make a street.
Science: Talk to the children about recycling.
