The Fascination of Big Boxes for Kids

One of my readers stopped by to comment on my post, The Charm of Imaginary Games, and reminded me of the delight of big boxes.

Image: sxc.hu

One of my kids’ favorite toys is a big box that they can decorate as a plane or castle or car or whatever they are feeling like that day. They have way more fun with that than with the fancier more finished toys

I want to thank Mike for calling my attention to big boxes.  My grandchildren, as well as my daughter before them, have been fascinated with big boxes and all that can be done with them. My grandson, nearly 14, still makes off with the large boxes we get and creates all types of imaginary items with them.

We, as parents, grandparents, relatives and teachers, need to encourage this imaginary play and let youngsters have fun with items they can create from free and inexpensive materials.  Simply make sure they’re safe materials and that youngsters are using them in ways that aren’t harmful.