Fun Cardboard Box Toddler Activity

Winter this year has been terrible. It's snowed a ton and just been plain freezing for the last two months so we haven't been able to get out much. The play dates we go on have been great as had the library, but I've been trying to come up with other ways to keep her entertained and learning at the same time on those days we are stuck inside the house. After browsing around Pinterest one morning I found this Fun Toddler Activity pin that I pinned awhile back. I happened to have tons of extra cardboard boxes from the holidays o I thought I would give it a try.

Supplies:

Cardboard Box

Markers (though you can probably use crayons or colored pencils as well)

Balls or Toys that are solid color

X-ACTO Knife or Scissors

Packing Tape

The first thing I did was try to find a cup or mug that was big enough for the balls we have to fit through them. Once I found that the canister from my food processor was the perfect size I went through my markers to see if I had colors that matched up with balls. After that I started making the five circles on the bottom side of the box. 

After some trial and error I realized that I needed to cut through one section of the box first and then the second flap. After the circles were cut out I taped the flaps to underneath the box and started using markers to outline the circles. I choose the colors blue, green, pink, purple, and yellow. I also wrote the words around the circle for feature uses. 

After everything was ready I got the corresponding balls that I had make circle for and showed Lexi how to put them through the hole. I was also saying what the color was and showing her the same ball so she would start to learn what colors were. 

I figure she probably won't understand yet, but if we keep going through them then one day it will all click. Even though she didn't quite get the colors and putting the balls that match into the same circles she did have fun and thought it would be fun to put all kinds of toys into the circles. It's been about a month since we started using the box and she still has fun with it daily. Overall this was really simple learning activity to make especially because most of the items needed you have at home already.

Here is the finished project and some shots of Lexi playing. She was very fascinated the whole time she played with it. She was especially unsure of where the balls went so she kept turning the box over hence the picture on the bottom left.  

I can't wait to comb through more the ideas I pinned for Lexi to learn and play! How are you all keeping the kids busy during this long and cold winter? Or if it's nice where you are please share what type of outdoor activities you are all enjoying.

Amanda