Imaginative play is a great way to encourage your child’s development and creativity. There are many types of imaginative play that children can take part in, but one popular type is cardboard box play.

I mean, let’s face it, how many times have you given your child a toy and then watched them discard it in favor of playing with the cardboard box it came in? In fact, cardboard box play has become so popular, many companies even design cardboard boxes so they will be optimal for child’s play. 

Imaginative play is great for a child and parents should do all they can to encourage it. If you want your child to engage in imaginative play more often, there are plenty of things you can do with your child and a plain old cardboard box. Here are some ideas.

Turn it Into a Puppet Theater

To convert your cardboard box into a puppet theater, all you need to do is punch a window out of the front. Add a piece of fabric as a curtain. 

Your child can sit inside the box and peek out of the curtain to act out skits he or she creates using their stuffed animals, a pair of socks or whatever suits their fancy.

Convert it into a Pet House

If you have a dog or cat, you can make your cardboard box into a cozy pet house for your pet. Your pet will want at least one window to look out of so be sure to cut one for them to look through. 

Then you and your child can fill the box with a food bowl, a bed and the toys your pet likes to play with. The two of you can even paint the interior with interesting colors and designs.

Make it Into an Airplane

Your young pilot will get a kick out of converting your cardboard box into an airplane. If the box has flaps, cut them off and attach them to the back and sides to make them into wings and a tail. Your little one can sit inside the box pretending they are flying around in the clouds. 

Make it into a Race Car

A smaller box can easily be converted into a race car. Cut out windows and encourage your child to paint it any way they would like. 

Bonus if you have two boxes that you can convert into racecars. Then your child can have a good, old fashioned, high speed chase.

Convert it into a Table

One of the simplest things you can do with your carboard box is to turn it over and use it as a table. Add a fancy tablecloth and you can use it to make a high end teatime for your child and his or her dolls.

A cardboard box can provide hours of fun and it is a great way to test your child’s imagination. As a result, he or she will be able to come up with more ‘out of the box’ ideas as they get older. Have fun exploring your child’s creativity with cardboard boxes.