DIY Chalkboard Town in a Box

Creating play activities and learning activities out of everyday items is one of our favorite things to do at The Educators’ Spin On It. We invite you to take a peek at how a pin on Pinterest inspired a mom, and dear friend of ours, to create a playful Chalkboard Box Town!

Think Outside the BOX! by Annette McNally

I had a big cardboard box left over from a present my son received and I saw my boys playing with it on and off. I knew I didn’t want to throw it away but I wanted to create something special for them. But what exactly?

I decided to search on Pinterest for some ideas and I came across a pin from Picklebums on “What To Do With a Big Box? – Make a Town”. I automatically knew my boys would love this! So I came up with the idea of spray painting the inside of the box with chalk paint and I grabbed my kids colorful chalk and I started creating a town for them.

Here’s how I made it…

DIY Chalkboard Box Town

Items Needed:

• 1 big cardboard box (wide enough for them to play in)
• 1 Chalk Spray Paint
• Sidewalk Chalk
• toy cars

Directions:

I started by spray painting the inside of the box (let it dry before you start drawing), then I drew a road, shopping center, parking spaces, a lake, and of course a train track.

I then added some toy trucks, cars, and trains and voila! A city in a box! The boys loved it and automatically jumped in and started playing. I believe my oldest said “This is awesome! I love it!” which totally made my day.

I truly loved seeing them use their imagination with this “city in a box” plus it entertained them for a couple of hours…win win for mommy and children!

Another cool thing is that since I used chalk I can simply wipe away and create something new and exciting for them. Have fun creating!

Annette McNally is a photographer living in Winter Garden, FL with my husband, 3 young boys, and our dog named Nala. I love crafting, reading, exercising, and being a part of my community through service but most of all I love to spend time with my family and create lasting memories through photography.

Follow Annette on Facebook  and Pinterest and Instagram.

Thank you so much Annette for sharing your fun idea of a Chalkboard Box Town. Here are a few more fun ideas using chalk! Have fun! ~Kim

Playful Chalk Ideas for Kids

• Counting Chalk Trains 
• Learning Landmarks and Math with Chalk
• Learning about the Earth with Chalk Fun
• Sidewalk Painting with Siblings 
• Monster Math with Chalk