The Useful Box – Part 1.

Do you know what a Useful Box is? If you don’t, you’re in for a treat. A Useful Box is full of items saved for children to make craft or artwork out of. It could contain feathers, clean yoghurt cartons, cardboard cylinders, used gift wrapping paper and any clean, recycled ‘junk’ you may have handy.

If you are an Aussie and have ever watched Playschool, you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about.

I remember vividly as a child, visiting my Gram’s house. She would always tell me to go look under the spare bed in her sunroom, and see what was there. Off I would run in excitement, and with glee I would yell out, ‘it’s a Useful Box!’ Then she would let me sit at the table set up in the sunroom, and I would make all sorts of presents for my beloved Gram. I would while away the hours in my own little world, as the sun twinkled through her old louvred windows, and listen to the songs of the many different birds that lived in her lavish garden outside.

One time I arrived at her house, raced to see what was in the Useful Box this time, and she had popped a gift of toy jewelry just for me! That was the magic of the Useful Box for me; I never knew what surprises I could find in there, or what treasures would be crafted by my own small hands. Most of all though, it was something that made me feel special, that someone had made time to put together a bundle of goodies just for me, and gave me that guarantee that I was going to have a really good time.

Here I am in the 70′s, in a handmade outfit made by my darling Gram.

I also strongly believe that it was this one experience that my Gram (who loved to knit, crochet, sew and create in general) gave me, that laid a strong foundation towards a life-long love of craft. She later went on to teach me to knit and crochet, and would give me helpful advice about sewing when I started learning that at high school.

What a beautiful thing to pass on!

Why have a Useful Box?

- It appeals to a variety of age groups and interests among children – great if you have a toddler, a preschool aged child, and a school aged child as I do. Even better if you have step kids, cousins or friends coming to visit.

- It teaches children to recycle and be resourceful.

- It is cheap enough to almost qualify as being a free activity!

- It encourages constructive play.

- It develops fine motor skills (of the hands) and eye hand coordination.

- It encourages a child to draw, paint, glue, use sticky tape, cut with scissors and therefore refine all of these skills.

- Being such an open-ended activity/resource, it gives the child a sense of autonomy in their play.

- It encourages imaginative play, both during the creative journey and often afterwards, if the child chooses to use their masterpiece as a toy.

My eldest daughter when she was much younger, playing with her own home-made restaurant. I ate lots of playdough pizzas that day! Your kids might enjoy making something similar with their very own Useful Box.

- It provides the child with a language-rich experience. They can talk about the textures of their materials, where they are from and what they are doing with it.

- Enhances cognitive development. When making their own artwork or sculpture, the child gets to experience mental planning, cause and effect and problem solving.

- When more than one child is working from the Useful Box, they can learn important lessons about sharing, taking turns, showing respect for others’ property and trying to do something for themselves.

- It raises a child’s self esteem and gives them a feeling of accomplishment.

- It is a great boredom buster and keeps kids out of mischief!

- It encourages children to give to others. Many arts and crafts from the Useful Box make exquisite gifts for parents, grandparents, aunties and uncles. The best gifts are always home-made!

Tomorrow I’ll walk you through setting up your very own Useful Box for either your own children or any very special visitors you may encounter. You’ll see just how easy it is!

Also, please keep in mind, that at the time of posting this, there are still two more spots to be filled on my Pay It Forward Giveaway. So make sure you don’t miss out!