Cardboard Box

I am amazed time and time again by how kids can have fun with the simplest things.  My boys love empty boxes.  I saved some boxes and today when I was tired of trying to deal with my cranky boys I pulled them (the boxes, not the boys) out of the back room and told the boys to have fun.  What can you do with a few empty boxes?
Push them.  What is more fun than pushing around an empty box?  Better than an expensive toddler push toy anyday!

Throw them.  Hey, my boys like to throw just about anything.  Why should a box be an exception?

Race with them.  Pick up the box and run.  Who can make it around the living room first?

Climb on them.  Ryan climbs on everything.  Boxes aren't quite as much fun as shelves, tables, kitchen counters...

Stack them.   Stacking is the best because it leads to knocking them down.

It lasted for about an hour and then they were at each other again.  I put the boxes away for another day.  Perhaps there is a whole new life for them outside.

Row, Row, Row Your Boat...

This week I decided to use an old box to make a boat.  All it required was me plopping the box on the floor and telling the boys that it was a boat.  I helped them in and we sang "Row, Row, Row Your Boat" a few times.   The toy mop and broom were transformed into paddles so the boys could row their way through the water.  Justin did not want me to be a shark in the water, so I decided we would do some fishing instead.  Justin as a fish puzzle with a little fishing pole that we got at Target last December.  Perfect!  Of course I have TWO boys, so I needed a second fishing pole.  I took a plastic toy rolling pin, a bit of twine, a magnet from the fridge, and a binder clip.  Those items became the second fishing pole!  I also found some fish from a file folder game and stuck paper clips on them so that there would be more fish for the boys to catch.  Easy.

I am hoping that the box doesn't get completely destroyed because I think it could be a fun totem pole at some point.  The boys can really get the boat rocking though.  Guess we must have some pretty major storms in our playroom.