Saturday, April 14, 2012

Papier Mache: All Boxed Up Edition

Don't you sometimes find yourself drowning in empty cereal boxes, popcorn boxes, vitamin boxes, potato chip canisters, and discarded toy cardboard backings?  Weekends, I'd be knee-deep in these things.  You can dump them all in the trash bin 'til the garbage truck comes around, or you can do something more productive with them.
Me and my boys, we always go with the second option.

You know how an empty box is the simplest yet richest toy you can give your child, right?  It's readily available, and its simplicity fuels your child's imagination to no end.  That's exactly how my boys look at a box... provided it comes with glue, newspaper, and rolls and rolls of tissue.

Let me present to you our Family Project Weekend Papier Mache Collection:  The All Boxed Up Edition!  Drum roll please!

Bowser's Castle is made out of a Zest-O 8-pack juice box, Pringles and Cheetos canisters.
Ellie's house of Pixar's UP is made solely out of microwave popcorn boxes.
Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory is made out of old cellphone boxes and tissue cardboard rolls.
Back to the Future's Clock Tower is made out of a Koko Crunch box and old flashcard boxes.
Twilight Zone's Tower of Terror is made out of microwave dinner boxes, a Cherifer box, and a Make-Your-Own-Dino box.
This Mayan Temple is made out of old business card boxes and Lego toy boxes.
The 20th Century Fox structure is made out of Mixed Nuts canisters, a Panda cookie box, and a Cookie Crisp box.
Going fully cliche here, the possibilities are indeed endless.  All there is to it is a box and your kid's boundless imagination.  What do you get?  Instant creative family bonding with an ultra fulfilling end result to boot!

Time to look at an old box as something more than a piece of trash, don't you think?  It's an art piece, a home made toy.  Why, it might just be your next weekend family addiction to look forward to and enjoy.

Now, excuse me while I take this opportunity to hoard. :)

2 comments:

  1. I love the Paper Mache projects.
    I am in charge of bring your child to work day and thought this might be a great activity - especially since we are a construction company.
    I would like to know more about the 'how-to's' on this - like what type of paint and what paper mache recipe is good to use for this type of project.
    thank you for your blog's - love the projects you've done!
    thank you,
    soni

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    Replies
    1. Hi Soni! Thanks! Sorry, I didn't see your comment sooner though. Hope my reply isn't too late. You can get more details on our papier mache projects here: http://blogabingblogaboom.blogspot.com/2010/11/paper-mache-sunday.html
      And here: http://www.facebook.com/PapierMacheniacs?ref=hl
      Lots of luck to bring your child to work day! Have fun! :)

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