5 ideas using cardboard boxes to entertain kids
These are quick crafts for a complicated day: no frills allowed. Once everything is in its place and you have time, you can move on to the next level with more elaborate projects like our Halloween pumpkin from a cardboard box. Today, simplicity comes first:
First morning in your new home. You didn't sleep well, you woke up before everyone else, and you had your coffee hoping to get some work done before the little ones wake up. But by the third plate you pull out of the bubble wrap… there’s already a little voice asking for a glass of milk.
If this scene sounds familiar, this post is for you. Today we give you 5 quick and easy ideas using cardboard boxes to entertain the kids while you unpack. Zero complicated crafts, zero extra materials: just boxes, a marker, and a little imagination.
Why an empty cardboard box is the best toy on moving day
Empty cardboard boxes are a goldmine for a child's imagination. They stimulate creativity, motor skills, and cognitive ability: children invent stories, transform space, and play for hours. And the best part: the sturdier the boxes, the longer they will hold up to playtime.
If you are still organizing your move, at TeleCajas we have moving box packs with double-wall cardboard, ideal for surviving the move and then becoming a toy.
5 ideas using cardboard boxes to entertain kids
1. Paint and decorate the box
The simplest and most effective. Give them colored pencils, crayons, or the permanent marker you used to label the packages, and let them paint an empty box.
Variations to extend the playtime:
- Have them paint inside and out (by getting inside the box).
- Cut a side to make a giant flat canvas on the floor.
- Suggest a theme: "paint your new house," "draw a friendly monster," "decorate the box like a castle."
2. Popping bubble wrap
Impossible to resist. If it's hard for you to stop, imagine how much time the little ones can spend popping those little bubbles. Hand out pieces of the same size and hold a contest: whoever pops the most bubbles in one minute wins. It works even with a single child setting a personal record.
Bonus: bubble wrap is safe, relatively quiet for you, and doesn't make a mess.
3. "What is this box?": the imagination game
Taking turns, each person says what the box could be: a car, a rocket, an astronaut helmet, a burrow, a submarine. It works solo, between siblings, or with you while you empty another box nearby.
It is one of the best divergent thinking exercises for children: they learn to see more than one use for the same object. And it gives you precious minutes to keep unpacking.
4. Cardboard car with a marker
Fold the flaps inward, draw four wheels on the sides and a steering wheel on the front. Done. To your child, it won't be a box: it will be the fastest car in the neighborhood, mental special effects included.
Tip: add a couple of "headlights" with colored tape and a cardboard cutout steering wheel. In 5 minutes, you have a toy that can last the entire afternoon.
5. Cardboard kitchen in 3 minutes
Turn a box upside down, draw the burners on the top and the knobs on one side. You don't need anything else. You'll be surprised by them cooking breaded steaks, potato omelets, broccoli (yes, broccoli), and imaginary desserts for "the parents tired from the move."
If you want to level up: add a circle of aluminum foil to simulate a pan and some jar lids as plates.
Extra tips to make moving day more bearable with kids
- Assign a "play corner" from the very first moment: a room or corner with empty boxes, bubble wrap, and markers. It's their safe zone while you work.
- Take advantage of their nap times for tasks that require concentration (assembling furniture, logistics decisions).
- Involve them with small, age-appropriate tasks: taking stuffed animals to their room, emptying a toy box, deciding where their lamp goes.
- Save 2-3 empty boxes for the following days. The novelty wears off, and then it comes to save you again.
Frequently asked questions
What is the ideal age to play with cardboard boxes?
From 12 months, supervised, up to 8-9 years old. The little ones enjoy getting inside and crushing things; the older ones build castles, forts, or houses.
Is it safe for children to play with moving boxes?
Yes, provided you remove staples, loose tape, and box cutters, and supervise young children to prevent them from getting hurt on the edges. New, clean boxes are perfectly safe.
How long do boxes last as a toy?
It depends on the quality of the cardboard. Double-wall boxes can withstand weeks of intensive play; single-wall ones last several days. TeleCajas boxes are made of sturdy cardboard, designed to hold actual weight, not just for decoration.
What do I do with the boxes when they are no longer using them?
Cardboard is 100% recyclable. Fold them up, take them to the blue recycling bin, and back into the cycle. If they are in good condition, you can also keep them for storage, future moves, or give them away.
How many boxes do I need for a family move?
As a general reference: 40-60 boxes for a 2-3 bedroom apartment, depending on the volume of things. In our moving packs, we calculate the quantities based on the type of home.
Summary for moving day
The trick isn't for the kids to disappear: it's to take advantage of what you already have on hand. An empty box and a marker are worth more than any new toy. You get ahead with the move, they play, and everyone ends the day happier (and exhausted).
Do you need cardboard boxes for your move? At TeleCajas, we ship them to your home in 24-48 hours, made in Spain with sturdy cardboard. See moving packs →
Do you have any other ideas to entertain kids with boxes? Tell us on Instagram @telecajas.
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See tutorial →Are you actually moving? Calculate how many boxes you need.
