Cardboard Collaborations

This is perfect way to use up cardboard packaging from the holidays!

Sometimes the most accessible materials (straight from the recycling bin!) can provide inspiration for open-ended creations. Have you made “something from seemingly nothing?” (as our son describes it!). We would love for you to share!

Whatever materials you use, opportunities to work together (whether it be with one’s siblings or as a small group at school) teach children how to communicate, problem-solve, negotiate, share their ideas, cooperate etc. They are invaluable to a future of working with others!

Materials

*Use whatever you have in your recycling bin. Here is just an example.*

Cardboard
Paintbrushes
Paper scraps
Paint
Glue
Glitter glue
Any other materials you may like to create your vision!

We always find these items helpful too:

Smock
Craft tray

Directions

Part One: The Start of an Idea: Recreating a Project in Cardboard

Our project was three-fold. First our daughter brought home this painting from Playschool and one afternoon we decided to re-create it using a bit of cardboard, a glue gun and some painting materials.

Part 2: Learning How to Work Together: A Dream Castle

Her eldest brother then wanted to make a collaborative project to play with. The kids decided to go with making a “dream castle” and had lots of fun with these Ikea paints! (A new material always draws attention!) Have your kids or students decide on a plan or perhaps one will evolve from the making/ experimenting. At first you may need to assist with the working together- providing some mediation, modelling how to solve a problem, providing a script for talking with each other etc. Then, start to remove yourself. One technique we use is to pause, sit “feet to feet” and talk out the issue, trying to reach a compromise, listening to each person’s point of view and finding common ground. Eventually your involvement will become more minimal unless requested. Just remember this is a long process and that sometimes conflict can provide some excellent learning opportunities! Stay the course! You know your kids- take a play break if needed and re-visit the project another day if needed.

Once we let our numerous layers of paint dry, we then added embellishments, using pieces we had left over from other projects. (It is a little hard to see, but the base of the castle is a cloud!)

Part 3: Working Independently: A Gigantic Birthday Cake

The kids then did this project mainly on their own (they needed a bit of help with finding a way to support those gigantic candles.. Sticks glued on the back!). My only suggestion would be invest in a good vacuum for all those sparkles!