For kids, Valentine’s Day is about sending love to family and friends – sometimes through the mail. Last year, my kids were very interested in the concept of mailing valentines. So, I used two cardboard boxes, some hot glue and red paint to make a mailbox for them. A pretty simple project that has received a lot of love from my kids.
If you’re interested in how it was made, here’s a link to the instructions I slightly adapted. I recommend reinforcing the floor, because if the box is big enough – your kids will climb inside.
I brought out the mailbox again this year and it has proved just as popular. Next to the mailbox I set out some of our favourite play letters and envelopes. The kids have so much fun mailing valentines and using the tins to create “packages”. The felt envelopes (from Sewing Seeds Play) have a felt letter inside and the kids enjoy putting all kinds of treasures in the envelope. The wood letters are from Eye Spy Club and make a very satisfying “plop” when put through the mail slot. The acrylic letters and velcro stamps are new to us this year (from Stars and Sensory). You can write with a dry erase marker on the acrylic and stick on the stamps and tokens with velcro. So fun! I also put out some paper, cards, envelopes and a pencil so they can create and write their own valentines.
Besides a traditional mailbox, the box has also been a bridge, a house and a moving truck. I love how creative kids are with cardboard boxes. The possibilities are endless. What are some of your kids’ favourite uses for cardboard boxes?