Cardboard Box Tray Town

You will need

• Cereal box or similar cardboard boxOne standard-size box; wipe inside clean before use

  Use a box that held food, not household chemicals; wipe the inside surface and do not let children chew on it; recycle when done.

• ScissorsAdult uses these during setup; child uses safety scissors if available
• TapeMasking tape or any tape you have
• Washable markerOne dark color for drawing roads on cardboard
• Lap tray or cookie sheetTo contain everything on the sofa
• Small household objectsoptionalErasers, cotton balls, folded cards — whatever is to hand

Steps

1. 1

   Prepare the base

   Cut the top and bottom flaps off the cereal box so it opens into a flat rectangle. Lay it printed-side down on the tray so the plain inside faces up. This is the town's ground.

   Tip: Score along existing box creases with a fingernail first — the box opens cleanly without tearing.

2. 2

   Cut the divider strips

   From the leftover flaps, cut two or three strips about one inch (2.5 cm) wide and six inches (15 cm) long. Fold each strip in half lengthwise so it stands up as a low wall. Set these on the tray for the child to position.

   Tip: Make more strips than you think you need — children always want extras.

3. 3

   Show the child the tray

   Bring the tray to the child and say, 'This is a town that needs roads and buildings — here is a marker to draw the roads and some walls to arrange.' Hand them the washable marker and step back once they start.

   Tip: Resist suggesting where the roads go. The layout choices are what hold their interest.

4. 4

   Offer building materials

   After a few minutes, suggest that small objects from around the room can be buildings or vehicles. Name two or three options — an eraser, a cotton ball, a folded scrap of paper — and let the child choose. Do not select items for them.

   Tip: Odd or funny choices (a spoon as a bridge) are fine and often become the best part of the town.

5. 5

   Let the town fill in

   Stay nearby but let the child direct the rest. If the standing strips fall over, a small piece of tape underneath fixes them in seconds. The town is done when the child says so, or when the tray feels full to them.

Take it to the table

Materials checklist, the steps and the variations on one Letter page.