Imagine & explore

Build a cardboard setting

Turn large clean cardboard pieces into a floor-level setting for toys using folds, drawings and open-ended pretend ideas.

10 minutes

What you'll need

Large clean soft cardboard pieces · Washable thick crayons · Paper tape applied by the caregiver, optional · Large toy figures

Before you start

Child can choose between simple materials or pretend ideas in their preferred way

Best fit: indoors · medium energy · medium caregiver effort · medium mess

How to play

  1. Inspect the cardboard and remove every staple, label and damaged edge.
  2. Choose a place such as a home, station or cave and arrange pieces on the floor.
  3. Draw details or ask the caregiver to tape one broad join, then begin pretend play.
Make it easier

Use one open box laid on its side with no cutting or joining.

Standard

Turn large clean cardboard pieces into a floor-level setting for toys using folds, drawings and open-ended pretend ideas.

Extend it

Add a map, doorway flap made by the caregiver beforehand or a second connected area.

What you might notice

Notice how the child changes the setting to fit the story.

Keep it safe

Use clean, dry, soft cardboard with all staples, ties, labels and sharp edges removed by an adult. Keep the structure open, floor-level and easy to exit; children do not use cutting tools.

Why it may be useful

There is no single right result here—the value is in exploring, pretending and sharing the moment.

moderate

Outcomes depend on context and the child's interest; sensory preferences vary widely.

Weisberg, Hirsh-Pasek and Golinkoff (2016) — Guided Play: Principles and Practices

Quinn et al. (2020) — Pretend Play and Early Language Development—Relationships and Impacts: A Comprehensive Literature Review

Lillard et al. (2013) — The impact of pretend play on children's development: A review of the evidence

Raising Children Network (2025) — Toddler play: ideas, games and activities

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