This week’s homework assignment was to make monsters out of recycled cardboard. Challenge accepted. I love crafts, and I especially love reusing or repurposing items. Therefore, making a cardboard monster was right up my alley.
This is a fun activity that allows your child to use their imagination. What do you want your monster to look like? Is it going to be big or small? How many eyes will it have? Does it have antennas?
SUPPLIES
Cardboard Boxes (tissue boxes, cereal boxes, etc.)
Toilet Paper or Paper Towel Rolls
Googly Eyes
Glue and/or Tape
Construction Paper
Scissors
Art Supplies (such as feathers, pompoms, dabbers, markers, and pipe cleaners)
Divided Tray
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Set Up Supplies
I assembled a bin of random cardboard boxes and toilet paper rolls. You could also add paper towel rolls, tin cans (be careful of sharp edges), plastic bottles, and bottle caps. In addition to these, I set out a tray with colorful feathers, bright popsicle sticks, pompoms, pipe cleaners, googly eyes, and construction paper cut into shapes. You can have your child cut out the shapes that they want. I leave this to your discretion as you know your child’s skills best. Finally, I laid out construction paper, markers, glue, tape, bingo dabbers, and scissors.
2. Pick Out Your Cardboard Materials
First, I had Ben pick out a box. He wanted to make a tall cardboard monster, so he picked out one of the bigger boxes. You can either add legs and arms now or after you decorate the main box. We chose to add them at the end, which made it easier to to decorate. Plus, it takes awhile for the glue to dry when attaching the legs, arms, etc.
3. Color Your Monster
Next, we used construction paper to color our cardboard monster, but you could also use crayons, markers, paint, or even wrapping paper.
When asked what color did he want to make his monster, Ben exclaimed, “Rainbow!” We cut out colorful panels of construction paper that Ben attached with glue to each side.
4. Decorate Your Monster
Let your child’s imagination run wild. It’s time to decorate your monster. Be creative.
5. Assemble Cardboard Monster
Time to put your monster together. Add its legs, arms, tails, and antennas with either glue or tape. Allow time for everything to dry before playing with your recycled cardboard monster.
TEACHING OPPORTUNITIES
This activity teaches so much to your child. Not only are they working on their engineering and fine motor skills, your child can works on shapes, numbers, math, counting, colors and more.
Here are some ideas:
– Name colors of the the items that you are using.
– How many eyes, arms, antenna, etc.? Add or subtract items.
– Name shapes that you are using. I cut out different shapes to be used and asked him to name which shapes he wanted to use.
– Name body parts as you are adding them to the monster.
These are just a few ideas of lessons that you can work on while creating your cardboard monster. I would love to hear what lessons you worked on with your little one while making cardboard monsters.
Alternative Cardboard Monster
If you do not want to make a big cardboard monster with lots of parts, I suggest making some with just a single toilet paper roll. We covered ours with construction paper, but you could use markers or paint to color it. Then add your decorative items like above. Aren’t they cute?!
For more monster fun, check out our DIY Colorful Monster Play Dough Kit.
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All activities here are activities I feel are safe for my own children. As your child’s parents/guardians, you will need to decide what you feel is safe for your family. I always encourage contacting your child’s pediatrician for guidance if you are not sure about the safety/age appropriateness of an activity. All activities on this blog are intended to be performed with adult supervision. Appropriate and reasonable caution should be used when activities call for the use of materials that could potentially be harmful, such as scissors, or items that could present a choking risk (small items), or a drowning risk (water activities), and with introducing a new food/ingredient to a child (allergies). Observe caution and safety at all times. The author and blog disclaim liability for any damage, mishap, or injury that may occur from engaging in any of these activities on this blog.