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By Kim Vij 1 Comment

Ideas for Hosting a Box Play Date

Are you hosting a playdate soon?  Here’s a fun playdate that is easy to host and tons of fun for the kids and parents too!  Host a Box Play Date!  Gather up the boxes around your house and ask your friends to bring over some boxes too.  

See what you can create together with boxes!

What can you make with a box with  kids?

I’m sharing on Melissa and Doug today 50+ Box Play Ideas for Kids and find out what kids learn from box play too and what it’s so important for development.

How to Host a Box Play Date 


A Box Play Date starts with a good book and I’ve listed below some of my favorite box themed books.  Invite your friends over and ask them to bring some boxes with them. Big or Small it actually doesn’t matter.  One the kids all gather together read them a few box stories and talk with them about what they could create with their boxes.  

Box Play Date Ideas for Bigger Kids

For bigger kids they can even create a Blueprint of their design.  Providing them with the ability to alter the boxes can help improve on their design plans.  Just keep safety in mind first, considering having the adults assist with this portion.


Box Play Date Ideas for Younger kids

Younger kids like to stack and destroy and this is the perfect playdate for that.  Be sure to establish a few boundaries with the group so they know the expectations ahead of time. It might be fun to have a one pre-made thing already made to inspire them to create more.  

Now it’s time to Build.  

This post contains affiliate links to Amazon 

Books About Boxes for Kids 

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  • Not a Box by Annoinette Portis 
  • The Cardboard Box Book by Roger Priddy & Sarah Powell
  • A Box Story by Kenneth Kit Lamug 
  • The Button Box by Margaette S. Reid
  • Harry’s Box by Angela McAllister
  • The Big Brown Box by Marisabina Russo
  • The Crayon Box that Talked by Shane Derolf 
  • Spots in a Box by Helen Ward
  • The Box of Holes by Carmen Gil 
  • Meeow and the Big Box by Sebastien Braun 
  • The Birthday Box by Leslie Patricelli 
  • The Box by Axel Janssens

Having your child create an idea with the boxes is one of the main reasons for hosting a Box Play Date.  Give them time and materials to imagine and create with.  Have you ever wondered why kids are drawn towards boxes?

What Do Kids Learn from Playing with Boxes? 

What Cardboard Boxes Can Teach Kids by Moving Smart Blog 

Importance of Pretend Play in Child Development by Bright Horizons 

Why Babies Love Boxes Best by NAEYC

Cardboard Box Activities for Kids 

You may have a few extra boxes from your playdate so here are some fun extensions for creating Cardboard Box Crafts with Kids.  

  • Chalkboard Box Play
  • Create Your Own Blocks 
  • All You Need is a Box by Teach Preschool 
  • Recycled Kid Crafts by A Little Pinch of Perfect 
  • 30 Cardboard Box Crafts by Kids Activities Blog 
  • 20 Cereal Box Crafts by Babble 
  • 20 Incredible Tissue Box Crafts by Babble 
  • Cardboard Box Craft Ideas by Red Ted Art 
  • Cardboard Box Crafts for Kids by Nurture Store 
  • 31 Things You Can Make With a Cardboard Box from Buzzfeed 
  • Cardboard Box Play Preschool by Let the Children Play 
  • 20 Simple Cardboard Box Activities for Kids by My Life and Kids 
  • Cardboard Houses by Playactivities 
  • Cardboard Box Fun by Moving Smart Now 

Giving your child the opportunity to explore with boxes in such an important tool to help them build their imagination and creativity.  

 

Buy Now

$9.99

Happy Handmade Ebook Review.  Fun Projects to Make with and For Children!

This post contains an Affiliate Link for Happy Handmade 

Like this idea? Pin for later or share now with a friend!

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Filed Under: Kids Activities, STEM Tagged With: Boxes, Eco Living, grade school, Kim, PLAY, playdate, Preschool, STEM, toddlers

About Kim Vij

Early childhood teacher, author, speaker and mom of 3. Kim shares ways to make learning fun and parenting an adventure by sharing developmentally appropriate activities.

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Comments

  1. Renee Fouche says

    February 21, 2015 at 12:45 pm

    This is a pretty cool idea!

    Reply

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Amanda

K - 12 masters reading teacher, author and mom to 3. Amanda is a National Board Certified teacher with oodles of experience in early childhood education.

Kim Vij

Early childhood teacher, author, speaker and mom of 3. Kim Vij shares ways to make learning fun and parenting an adventure by sharing developmentally appropriate activities.
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