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Fun and easy kids activities

Art Studio in a Box

May 11, 201319,087 views
Upcycle/Recycle
Recycled Crafts: Art Studio in a Box Save
recyled craft box Save
kids drawing in a box Save
Recycled Crafts Art Studio in a box Save
My Art Studio Craft with a box Save

by TurkeyMom in Upcycle/Recycle

Ages2–6 yrs
Prep20 min
Activity—
Leveleasy
MessMedium
Works for1:1 · Small group · Class

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.

⚠️ Safety first

  • 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 the kids arrive

  • 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.from the author
  • 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.from the author
  • 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.from the author
  • 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

Make it your own

  • Cut a small window in one side to make it feel less closed off.
  • Take the studio outdoors on beach towels for a sunny-day art session.
  • In the classroom, use boxes as mobile centers and classwork displays.

The story behind it

By TurkeyMom · May 2013
Recycled Crafts: Art Studio in a Box
When a new dishwasher came in, the kids bolted out with the huge box. I also found them painting inside it, so I suggested an art studio.
1 / 5

Art Studio in a Box: the original post

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.

Recycled Crafts Art Studio in a box

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

kids drawing in a box

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

recyled craft 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.

My Art Studio Craft with a box

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

Tulip Printing

Potato Hearts

Suminagashi Painting

Sheep Printing

Textured Paper Art

What readers say

💬 5 comments 🍎 tried with 1 classes or groups

🍎 In the classroom

Mobile centers for small classrooms

A teacher with limited wall and floor space sees the box as a way to create mobile centers and display classwork.

“this seems like an excellent way to create mobile centers and classwork displays!”
Kim, May 2013

🎉 Worked for us

Outdoor setup keeps mess outside

A reader liked that setting the studio up outdoors keeps the painting mess outside, and loved the artwork taped to the sides.

“So much fun and all the mess outside. I love all the painting stuck to the side.”
Coombe Mill (Fiona) (@coombemill), May 2013

🎉 Worked for us

Fun for parent and child together

A parent plans to watch for a big box so she and her son can upcycle it into their own studio.

“My son and I would have such fun in here...keeping my eyes peeled for a big box to upcycle!”
Gina @connectingfamilyandseoul, May 2013

Tried it?

Reviewed before it appears. No links, and please no children's names.

Read all 5 comments

  1. Isobel Winters · Jun 2013

    Love this so much!!! My twin sis and I were always making things out of boxes but never an art studio....how perfect!!! Thanks for sharing, as soon as my daughter is ready we will be making one for sure:)

  2. Coombe Mill (Fiona) (@coombemill) · May 2013

    This is a lovely idea. So much fun and all the mess outside. I love all the painting stuck to the side. I can see my younger children loving this. Popping over from the play party and would love you to join me on my Country Kids linky too. All about outdoor fun for children.

  3. Kim · May 2013

    I have a classroom with limited wall & floor space and this seems like an excellent way to create mobile centers and classwork displays! Thanks for the idea!

  4. Gina @connectingfamilyandseoul · May 2013

    I just love this idea!! My son and I would have such fun in here...keeping my eyes peeled for a big box to upcycle!

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