Related Articles
Word Search for Your Name
This literacy activity will teach preschoolers to recognize the letters in their name.
Alphabet Children Poster
Create a tactile preschool educational experience by allowing preschoolers to use their bodies to form the letters of the alphabet.
ABC Tic Tac Toe
This variation of the typical tic tac toe game will help preschoolers to recognize the letters in the alphabet and teach them valuable pre-writing skills.
Preschool Pretend Play – Cardboard Box City
What You Need
Where to Find Cardboard Boxes
If you do not have extra boxes available to use for this preschool pretend play activity you can easily obtain some by asking around. Many parents of the preschoolers in your class may have extra boxes leftover from a move or large storage items not being used at home and would likely be glad to find some place to get rid of them.
Freecycle has groups all over the country. Find the group closest to your preschool and make a request for extra boxes. This makes it easy to track down boxes for pretend play. All you need to do is pick them up.
Local hardware stores often have leftover refrigerator boxes that they would be happy to donate to a preschool. Most of these large boxes are flattened and thrown away. While boxes of any shape or size are useful and can help your preschoolers build a fun cardboard box city, refrigerator boxes are generally a favorite with preschoolers and would make a wonderful addition to this pretend play activity.
What To Do
Once you have collected all the materials you will need to build your cardboard box city, give the preschoolers free reign to use their imagination. Boxes can be colored, cut, or have things glued to them. Doors and windows can be cut out of large boxes. Preschool teachers or parents may want to help with larger cutting projects so preschoolers do not become frustrating cutting the hard cardboard or hurt themselves.
Preschoolers can glue old wall paper or wrapping paper to the inside or outside of the boxes. Carpet or wallpaper samples can be obtained through local stores simply by asking around. Many times these items are simply thrown away and stores are more than happy to donate their extras.
Use masking tape to tape the boxes together or attach empty toilet paper rolls or other miscellaneous items that preschoolers may want to use. Preschoolers will have fun creating their cardboard city as part of an ongoing pretend play center activity. You can add additional materials each day or provide the preschoolers with everything at once.
Related Preschool Themes
Related Preschool Activities
Preschoolers love to create worlds of their own imagination. This simple activity uses materials you can find around the house and will turn preschoolers into busy city planners. This activity will keep preschoolers busy for hours, creating and playing.
Like this article? Get more like it in your inbox. Subscribe today to our free weekly newsletter.