you made the cut

"hole-y" fun

Why play this way?

Get ready for a “HOLE” lotta fun! Inspire creative play and loads of learning by adding just a few cuts to your cardboard. Stacking and handling small boxes requires focus, patience, and fine motor dexterity. The matching of shape & size ignites visual recognition and spatial awareness. Removing the sense of sight to identify mystery items promotes sensory awareness. So, cut loose and have fun with this “outside the box” play! 

Math
Recycled
Sensory
Fine Motor
Let's Play!

SET THE STAGE FOR PLAY: 10 Minutes

Adult Participation: Required

Sort-a-Box

  • Seal an empty medium-sized box and cut holes of various shapes and sizes on all sides. 
  • Cut one hole (large enough to reach into) near the bottom of your box.
  • Gather objects of varying dimensions that will fit through the holes in your box (e.g. a tennis ball, soap box, spice jar, balled-up socks, or deck of cards).
  • Have fun puzzling it out as you try to push each item into its matching hole.
  • Reach in to retrieve your items, and play again!

Mystery Box

  • Gather 5-10 “mystery” items of different shapes, textures, and sizes.
  • Cut off the top of a medium-sized box and flip it on its side. 
  • Cut a hole on each side of the box big enough for your little one’s arms to fit through.
  • Have your little one sit behind the closed side of the box and stick their arms through the holes. (They should not be able to see their hands).
  • Put the unseen items into the mystery box and invite your little one to use their sense of touch to guess what’s inside.

THROUGH THE LOOKING BOX

Cut matching square holes on the opposite sides of a milk, cereal, or pasta box. 

Peer through the box and notice how your view of the world is framed differently. 

  • Look closely at the face of someone you love. What do you notice?
  • Take your box on a walk and use it as a “camera” to take pictures.
  • Choose a color (or other category) and play a game of I-Spy.
  • Set your box on a table and draw only what you see through the “frame.”

Explore other activities for "Not a Box"

Unbox Imagination
Play

Check all the Boxes
Play

Build-a-Box
Play

interactive Read aloud
Play

Learn the Letter B
Play

"Not a Box" home
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why our members love the book club

*****
Our family loves the LMNOPlay Book Club!
"Not only do we get high-quality books with engaging perspectives from well-known authors, the activities included expand how we experience the story with our 3-year-old son. Accessible, fun and educational!"
Liz (parent)
*****
We can't wait to get the next delivery!
"The activity card suggestions were easy to put together and fun for the kids. They provided a nice supplement to the story, and extended the enjoyment of the books."
Eze (parent)
*****
associated activities are amazing!
"They not only help my grandson see the relationship between an exciting subject and the real-world principles involved, but they also strongly personalize the experience for him. He learns that reading is fun, and that learning satisfies his natural curiosity."
Stephen (grandparent)
*****
Looking forward to gifting these again!
"I have always gifted books at birthdays and these felt like a natural extension of the gifts I already give. It's nice to also be able to give my friends something that comes with additional activities they may not have thought to do."
Catie (parent)
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