A cardboard box can turn into an imaginative pretend play scene for your child. Here, we transformed a plain box into a playful barn complete with painted cardboard trees, leaves, toadstools and farm animals!
You can build upon this by adding even more playful recycled farm buildings and people.
Read more below on how to make this cute red cardboard play barn to get started on setting up an imaginative fall or winter play scene for your child.
Recycled Cardboard Box Barn – Materials:
Square cardboard box
Paper towel roll
Ruler
Cutter
Scissors
Tapes
Pen
Paintbrushes
Glue
Paint: red, white and black
Colored construction paper
Farm toy animals
Instructions:
Step 1. Place your cardboard box in front of you. You have 4 parts on top and bottom to close your box. Cut on the bottom 2 parts: one in front of you, and the other just behind. Now on the top for the roof do the same thing but at the 2 opposite corner you already cut. Refer to the pictures if necessary.
Step 2. Now let’s work on the roof. If you want a higher roof, with the leftover piece of cardboard cut each one in half (or so) and tape them on each side of your top box.
It should look like this:
Step 3: Work on your openings. It’s really up to you to compose your opening and the size.
Step 4: Paint your box and paper roll white. Optional but I like doing that because the colors pop more. Allow to dry completely.
Step 5: Add a second coat of paint and allow to dry.
Step 6: For the top of your silo. Draw a circle and cut it; then cut another triangle in your circle. Put all the edges together to make a pointy hat. Glue it on top of your silo.
Step 7: Last but not least add some white to go around your openings. You are done with your cardboard play barn and it’s ready to play!
You can add some painted forest details like painted cardboard trees, leaves, toadstools and farm animal toys.
What are your favorite imaginative toys to make kids? Check out more fun recycled toy ideas and lots more creative projects for kids!
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Marie-Laure, is an Architect first, a mom of two, but also a Do It Yourself kind of girl. She LOVES CRAFTING. Her blog La Maison de Loulou is a piece of her with simple and fun crafts, ideas, projects, and activities to do with your kids at anytime. Her children Louise and Roman are her inspiration and all the DIY’s are made for them to have fun. Toys, games, costumes..she loves exploring the kids world with her own twist.
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Agnes Hsu is a mom of three and has been inspiring parents and kids to get creative with easy activities and family friendly recipes for over 10 years. She shares her love for creative play and kids food to her 2MM+ followers online. Agnes' commitment to playful learning and kindness has not only raised funds for charity but also earned features in prestigious nationwide publications.