# Art Studio in a Box
> Turn a big appliance box into a cozy, portable art studio. Tape the kids' artwork inside, set out supplies and paper, and let them create indoors or out in the backyard.
- URL: https://www.funlittles.com/recycled-crafts-art-studio-in-a-box/
- Ages: 2–6 yrs · Difficulty: easy · Mess: medium
- Time: prep 20 min, activity varies
- Works for: one-on-one, small group, whole class · one batch serves about 2 kids
- Skills: art, creative-expression, fine-motor, self-esteem

## Materials (one batch)
- 1 piece Large cardboard box (e.g. a dishwasher box) (household)
- The kids' own finished artwork (household)
- 1 piece Regular clear tape (household)
- Markers
- Pencils (household)
- Crayons
- Paint
- 1 piece Something to make a raised platform for supplies (household)
- Crisp white paper (household)
- 1 piece Recycled cereal box, decorated (household)
- Cups or decorated cans for supplies (optional) (household)
- Beach towels (optional) (household)
- 1 piece Box cutter or craft knife (adult use) (optional) (household)

## Safety
- If you cut a window, an adult does the cutting, away from the kids.
- Check the box for staples or sharp edges before kids crawl in.
- Outdoors, don't set it up when it's too hot. Late evening is best, as the author suggests.
- Supervise kids playing inside the box, especially when paint is out.

## Before you start
- Save a big appliance box and gather up the kids' finished artwork.

## Steps
1. Lay the big box on its side so the open end is the doorway.
2. Tape the kids' artwork all around the inside walls with clear tape.
3. If the box feels too closed off, have an adult cut a small window in one side.
4. Set out markers, pencils, crayons and paint on a raised platform inside the box.
5. Fill a decorated cereal box with crisp white paper and put it in the studio.
6. Going outside? Spread beach towels on the grass and set the box on top.
7. Crawl in and create in your brand new studio!

## Tips
- Having their work up for display does great things for a child's self-esteem and confidence. We usually have all their creations up on the walls to encourage them to get creative.
- The art studio is mobile. Carry it to the backyard on a bright, sunny day, but set it up when it isn't too hot, possibly late evening, for the best experience.
- Let the kids enjoy the box first. Ours had serious gross motor fun with it (swan dives, rolling, crawling), then played stores and restaurants before we turned it into a studio.
- A teacher with limited wall and floor space saw it as a great way to make mobile centers and classwork displays. (from readers)
- Setting it up outside keeps all the mess outdoors. (from readers)

## The original post by TurkeyMom (2013)

We love up cycle and recycled crafts. This basically turns your trash to treasure! Using old items in a new and interesting way is a great way to engage in a fun, frugal and green living. So when a new dishwasher came in even before I could check for scuff marks, the kids bolted out with the huge box. They had some serious gross motor fun ( read swan dives, rolling, crawling). At the end of the day the excitement of the new box has worn down and they were playing stores, restaurants and what not with it. I also found them painting inside the box. So I suggested an art studio and my 4 year was excited about the prospects of another dedicated art area in the house.

This idea of recycled crafts was so simple.

I just gathered up all their wonderful art work. I used regular clear tape and arranged them all up all around the insides of the box. We usually have all their creations up on the walls just to encourage them to get creative. Having their work , not just art up on the walls for display does great things for the child’s self-esteem and confidence.



If you feel the box is too closed off, simply cut out a small window on any of the sides



I also set out some of their supplies : markers, pencils, crayons and paint inside the box on a raised platform.

With some crisp white sheets of paper in a recycled and decorated cereal box the kids are ready to create in their brand new studio.

But wait the art studio is also mobile. To enjoy a bright and sunny day carry the studio to your backyard. I spread out some beach towels and set up the box on the top. It was fun to watch them enjoy inside the box



Please set this up when it is not too hot, possibly late evening for the best experience.

I'm sure almost all the kids would love the recycled box much more than the stuff inside the box. There are so many fun ways to play with a large box. Our favorite is Art Studio in a Box. What is your favorite? Feel free to leave a big box play post on our Facebook wall here.



All the art work you see inside the box have been shared previously here.

**[Tulip Printing](https://www.funlittles.com/spring-art-tulip-painting/)**

**[Potato Hearts](https://www.funlittles.com/valentine-art/)**

**[Suminagashi Painting](https://www.funlittles.com/art-projects-for-kids-using-oil-paint-and-water/)**

**[Sheep Printing](https://www.funlittles.com/spring-art-egg-carton-sheep/)**

**[Textured Paper Art](https://www.funlittles.com/flower-crafts-kids-activities/)**

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