View Full Version : just got a wonderful, *free* playhouse from Aldi!
If you have young children who love HUGE cardboard boxes (and if you have an Aldi nearby), take note!
Today we went to Aldi to buy our pumpkins ($2.49 each, all sizes). They're in huge, triple-layer cardboard boxes with cute Charlie Brown and Linus drawings on the sides. When checking out, I asked the cashier if we could have a box to use for a playhouse. She agreed and even helped us transfer pumpkins and get the box flat. After some small struggles :eyes: we got it into our van for the ride home.
My 5yo is in heaven. :yes: It's extremely sturdy and so cute. My teen cut a larger door and a window for him.
So if you have an Aldi, and your dc love boxes to play in, this one is a winner -- and FREE! I guess other grocery stores may have the boxes, too, but I usually see the pumpkins arranged attractively on hay bales at other stores. ;)
Then, be sure to get one of my favorite books from my own childhood to read along with it: Christina Katerina and the Box. :thumb:
Rachel Jane
10-03-2011, 03:10 PM
:thumb: :thumb: I miss those days! :hcry:
RJ, it was so bittersweet, because my oldest LOVED boxes when he was little and it was weird knowing he's so far past that now. But he thoroughly enjoyed weilding a huge carving knife (which he's now trusted with, but wasn't, not so long ago) in order to cut things out of the box for his little brother.
Every stage is good. But I know exactly what you mean. I got all emotional over thinking this is my last little one to love those boxes. :hcry: Although, my 10yo is liking it too. ;)
Jen in OK
10-03-2011, 07:52 PM
Not to give your older kids any ideas, or anything, but....This summer a group of us got together each week for a playdate. Most of the kids were elementary aged, but there were several teen siblings. One week the mom who was hosting had tons of big boxes for the kids to make playhouses. The teenage boys cut a peephole and then took turns getting in the box and skateboarding down the hill. I was glad my boy isn't a teenager yet. :lol: The boys had a blast, though!
Rachel Jane
10-04-2011, 05:39 AM
RJ, it was so bittersweet, because my oldest LOVED boxes when he was little and it was weird knowing he's so far past that now. But he thoroughly enjoyed weilding a huge carving knife (which he's now trusted with, but wasn't, not so long ago) in order to cut things out of the box for his little brother.
Oh, knives! Fun! :lol:
Not to give your older kids any ideas, or anything, but....This summer a group of us got together each week for a playdate. Most of the kids were elementary aged, but there were several teen siblings. One week the mom who was hosting had tons of big boxes for the kids to make playhouses. The teenage boys cut a peephole and then took turns getting in the box and skateboarding down the hill. I was glad my boy isn't a teenager yet. :lol: The boys had a blast, though!
I wont be sharing this little story. :no:
WendyW
10-04-2011, 05:49 AM
Big boxes are the BEST! Shortly after we moved in here, when the house next door was built and they brought in the appliances, my boys (2 & 7 then) asked the delivery guys for the boxes. We got the 3 from that house, plus 2 that were on the truck. They played in them all winter in the basement.
Lindy
10-04-2011, 10:53 AM
Score!
Also just saw (on pinterest of course)...to take Christmas lights and poke them through the top for a "Starry night". Looked fun and super cute.
Course if it's a really thick box might need to get the knife out again...:)
Rachel Jane
10-04-2011, 11:34 AM
Score!
Also just saw (on pinterest of course)...to take Christmas lights and poke them through the top for a "Starry night". Looked fun and super cute.
Course if it's a really thick box might need to get the knife out again...:)
:cool:idea!
Jane Claire
10-04-2011, 05:03 PM
Rebe, I love Christina Katerina and the Box! I cited that book in Before Five in a Row, in Section Two, at the back and talked a lot about playing with boxes.
This type of playing doesn't seem to be limited to the young ones though. I had a friend whose older kids made a cool voting booth out of a refrigerator box during an election year, and another one who made a puppet theatre. I've also seen rockets, cars and other amazing box figures. I remember playing and making many things out of huge boxes when I was young!
barbara r
10-04-2011, 07:26 PM
the best toys are not toys! :D
This type of playing doesn't seem to be limited to the young ones though. I had a friend whose older kids made a cool voting booth out of a refrigerator box during an election year, and another one who made a puppet theatre. I've also seen rockets, cars and other amazing box figures. I remember playing and making many things out of huge boxes when I was young!
That's very encouraging! Although kind of sad to me because these days, older kids seem to be more interested in computers and electronics than in boxes. I wish that wasn't the case, though. I'll try to encourage my older ones to have fun with it, too.
This particular box is a castle right now, and it conveniently has little pre-made triangles popping up on each corner for turrets.
Krista Joy
10-06-2011, 02:03 PM
Box fun is not limited to kids! When I was in college in Saskatchewan some friends and I were staying at school over a break. We went sledding at the local provinicial park. Our sled? A HUGE snowmobile box! It was so big that it fit upside down over my little car, and we had to roll down the windows and hold it as we drove up the little dirt road to the park. I think about 6 of us fit in easily. It FLEW down that hill!:lol: Good memories! Oh the fun my kids would have with a box that size!!
Rachel Jane
10-06-2011, 05:42 PM
Box fun is not limited to kids! When I was in college in Saskatchewan some friends and I were staying at school over a break. We went sledding at the local provinicial park. Our sled? A HUGE snowmobile box! It was so big that it fit upside down over my little car, and we had to roll down the windows and hold it as we drove up the little dirt road to the park. I think about 6 of us fit in easily. It FLEW down that hill!:lol: Good memories! Oh the fun my kids would have with a box that size!!
:lol::cool:
Sheryl in NH
10-10-2011, 12:07 AM
I finally got around to opening this thread (we don't have an Aldi:lol:). Nice find Rebe!
My son asked for a cardboard box birthday (http://libertyhillhouse.blogspot.com/2010/02/cardboard-box-birthday-party.html) when he turned 5 and it was one of THE BEST birthday themes I have ever hosted. What a blast the kids had. I love to see their imagination at work.
vBulletin® v3.8.3, Copyright ©2000-2012, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.