|
At Archway Children's Centre, we believe in the magic of creativity and the importance of reusing resources. Our latest adventure began when a large package arrived containing a new sofa for our book area. The excitement was palpable as the children discovered the enormous cardboard box. To them, it wasn't just a box; it was a potential playhouse, a secret hideaway, and an endless source of fun.
The box house: A gateway to imagination
The first transformation of our big cardboard box happened in the construction area. The children immediately saw the box as a house-sized haven. For several days, it became a central part of their play:
Hide and seek: The toddlers loved crawling inside, feeling the security of their little hideaway. It became a secret spot for giggles and whispers.
Role play: The box turned into a cosy home where toys were brought in for tea parties and pretend family gatherings.
DIY enhancements: As the children were hiding inside they were trying to think of ways they could see what was happening outside their house and watch their friends around the room. They also wanted to find a way to open and close the doors more easily as they were finding this somewhat challenging. With some adult support, the children cut out windows on the sides and made holes for handles, turning the box into a more functional playhouse. This encouraged the children to interact with it even more, opening and closing windows and using the handles to move it around.
The joy and creativity that emerged from such a simple object was inspiring. The children’s engagement with the box demonstrated the powerful potential of reusing everyday items in imaginative play.
|
A secret cave: Bringing stories to life
When the initial excitement began to wane, we found a new use for the same box inspired by our new core book, The Something. In the story, there's a mysterious hole, and we thought the box could perfectly mimic this setting:
Role play in the garden: We moved the box outside to the garden, where it became a secret cave. The children relished hiding inside and peeking out, acting out the adventure from the book.
Animal hide and seek: Extending the story's theme, we hid toy animals inside the box for the children to find as a hook for our fun core book. This activity not only extended their imaginative play but also encouraged them to engage more deeply with the story.
Some of the children started wondering what had happened to the big box in the construction area and asked about it, only to see it in the garden and engage with it in a different environment with different potentials. Some of them also commented ‘it’s not a house anymore, it’s a hole for the dragon.’ Despite being outside, the box held up well for a week of enthusiastic play, eventually becoming quite flattened. Yet, we knew there was still life left in it. The children helped make it flat and put it on one side for when the right moment would come to reuse it.
|
Artistic expression: Foot printing and painting
On a particularly warm day, the children's interest shifted to painting and mark-making. In addition, their energy levels were high; they were stomping and making roaring sounds. When we asked them how we could make dinosaur footprints and they recalled their foot printing which took place a few months prior. Therefore we needed a thick cardboard for our footprints. We seized this opportunity to give the well-used box one final transformation.
Foot printing fun: We laid the flattened box on the ground, creating a large canvas. The children chose the colours they wanted to use for their marks and helped squeeze the paint in the trays. Then they excitedly took off their shoes and rolled up their trousers, eager to get messy.
Creative expression: With paint at their disposal, they started making footprints and handprints all over the cardboard. The activity was not only fun but also a wonderful sensory experience, allowing them to explore textures and colours in a new way.
The evolution of the cardboard box from a playhouse to a secret cave, and finally to a painting canvas, highlights the importance of reusing and repurposing materials in creative ways. Each transformation provided unique opportunities for learning, imagination, and development.
|
The importance of reusing resources
At Archway Children's Centre, we are committed to sustainability and the creative reuse of resources. The journey of our big cardboard box is a perfect example of how one simple item can spark endless possibilities. By reusing materials, we not only reduce waste but also inspire children to think creatively and resourcefully.
This adventure with the cardboard box has reinforced our belief that sometimes the simplest resources can provide the richest experiences. We encourage all educators and parents to look around and see the potential in everyday items. With a little imagination, anything can become a tool for learning and fun.
|
