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Mama Smiles - Joyful Parenting

Parenting, Crafts, Education, and Family Travel

Welcome to my blog! I'm MaryAnne, and I write about building a rewarding family life through mindful parenting, hands-on learning, and creative family activities. Learn more.
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Simple cardboard play house

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painting the house

Emma and Johnny wanted a house to play with their little animals in, so I took a cardboard box, cut off the corners of the end flaps, and taped the longer flaps to the now-diagonal end flaps to create a house shape (with an opening in the roof, for easier access for play). Then we I cut a door and windows and they took it outside to paint.

Here’s Emma’s side:

Emma's side
And here’s Johnny’s side, which is less bright primarily because Emma gave him the paints she watered down too much the other day. I would have made her share the non-watered-down paints, but these were the colors he wanted, anyway… I do like the way he used tape to make a partial windowpane:

Johnny's side

It’s nothing fancy, but Emma and Johnny had a BLAST with this – and so did their friends who came to play Saturday morning! At one point they had sticks across the opening in the roof, and then pieces of grass they had picked – almost like a thatched roof!

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MaryAnne lives in Silicon Valley with her Stanford professor husband Mike and their four children, born in 2006, 2007, 2009, and 2012. She is passionate about parenting through education, creativity, and play. Mama Smiles - Joyful Parenting is a space to share crafts, activities, and family outings that enrich lives and bring families together.

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  3. It’s a very cute house, and it proves how little is needed to spark kids’ imagination. Emma sounds like a thoughtful big sister ;)
    .-= Natalie´s last blog ..What My Child Is Reading – September 11- 2010 =-.

  4. Yet another great use of cardboard! I think of you whenever I put any in the recycling bin… “I’m sure MaryAnne would think of something clever to do with this…”
    .-= Elisa | blissfulE´s last blog ..Vi’s spring collection =-.

  7. @Maria – thank you!

    @Elisa – and I am sure your house is MUCH tidier than mine ;)

    @Jen – thanks =)

    @Natalie – I know, such empathy…

    @Quadmama – Yes, this is much more practical!

    @Christy – thanks =)

  8. I have to be honest, I never thought of using a small cardboard box for a house! Whenever my kiddos ask for something they don’t have I always end up thinking more elaborately! Love the simplicity! I’ll have to think that way more often!

  10. I had never thought about cutting the corners off to make a roof! So simple and so effective!

    And, simple toys always seem to be the favourites and the best :)

  17. Oh now that is super cute! I let ER go to town on the boxes we get her little animal friends in, from Build A Bear but this is even better. It’s always easy for Brad to get boxes from work and then it won’t cover up any cute designs on the BAB houses! Would love you to join me at A Crafty Soiree, every Thursday.
    .-= Katie´s last blog ..Craft Fail- Photo Transfer Tote =-.

  20. Great idea! I have a few cardboard boxes here screaming for an idea. :) thanks!
    .-= adrienne´s last blog ..Thats My Best Friend =-.

  21. Like amandab, I never thought to cut the corners off to fashion the roof like that, what a great idea. We have a much less interesting cardboard house on the go at the moment, which may just need a revamp in the morning :)

    Thanks for linking to We Play.
    .-= Christie – Childhood 101´s last blog ..Stop- Merge Left- Give Way- On the Road to Reading =-.

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