Happy Friday: Cardboard Box + Tape + Flashlight = Instant Playhouse & Hours of Fun

By Bryn | Operations Manager

Sep 16, 2016 @ 6:52 PM MDT

Hip2Save may earn a small onlinemission at no extra cost to you via trusted partners and affiliate links in this post. Prices and availability are accurate as of time posted. Read our full disclosure policy here.

Box Play House

Sent from reader, Seema:

Hello Collin n crew! We bought a new sofa a few days back and it came wrapped in cardboard on the sides. My 7 years old, asked me to keep the cardboard so he could make a house.

So I sat with him and without much effort, we came up with the house shown in the picture. He asked to cut a door opening and it made a perfect house. The best part is – the walls just fit inside each other without any tape/glue so I can remove the box for cleaning and put it back together.

It was a little dark inside, so I taped a flashlight on the inside that I got from Sears for free (after SYW points) last November. The kids are more than happy with this spacious play house and for past 2 days, they spend most of their time in or around their new play house.

It’s a reminder for me that kids don’t always need expensive toys to play with – sometimes potential trash can more fun!

HAPPY FRIDAY!

Do you have a funny, “Hip”, or unique photo to share?! Email us at [email protected]. Every Friday, we post one photo, submitted by a Hip2Save reader, that gives us a glimpse into their frugal lifestyle or simply makes us smile. If your photo is published on Hip2Save, we’ll email you a $10 Amazon e-card!

Join The Discussion

onlinements 13

saving4vacation September 16, 2016 at 7:01 pm MST

my boys love to do castle with boxes, free entertainment

Reply
J September 16, 2016 at 7:14 pm MST

And let him decorate it with markers! My kiddos favorite! It truly is the simple things!

Reply
Kristy September 16, 2016 at 7:16 pm MST

I put 80% of my kids toys away out of sight and they don’t even miss it. In fact they still have as much fun as the few that’s out. Kids don’t need much…. We need to allow their creativity to flourish

Reply
❤️Grandma ❤️ September 16, 2016 at 7:19 pm MST

We use a big box and play fishing 🎣 with magnets and fish we colored or attach magnets to plastic fish on clearance.

Reply
jen September 16, 2016 at 7:24 pm MST

Just like old times.. the best part of fun is using our imagination

Reply
jes September 16, 2016 at 7:34 pm MST

Every summer, I literally hand my kids a stack of giant cardboard, tape and markers and make them stau together and build something. It usually lasts for at least a week! They are 10, 11 & 15. It never gets old!

Reply
Laura September 16, 2016 at 7:49 pm MST

Love!

Reply
Tammy September 16, 2016 at 8:14 pm MST

Cute!❤️

Reply
Uk2002 September 16, 2016 at 9:53 pm MST

Very nice…great idea!

Reply
Erin September 17, 2016 at 5:50 am MST

So true! If I want to save a cardboard box for storage or something, I better hide it or next thing I know, it will be colored, covered with stickers, or full of toys! 😀

Reply
Dara September 17, 2016 at 8:52 am MST

Seema, this is a wonderful reminder of how to have fun frugally! Whether kids play with something for two years or only two hours, there is a special joy that onlinees from using their imaginations to spark ideas. Good for you!

Reply
Seema September 17, 2016 at 9:00 am MST

Thanks Colin for choosing my post as happy Friday post. My kids are so excited to see their playhouse on mom’s favorite website. 😃

Reply
Diane September 17, 2016 at 5:21 pm MST

When I was a little girl, my parents bought a new fridge, and it came in a huge cardboard box. My sister and I have great memories of the fun we had making a playhouse out of that box!

Reply