Rocket Scientists in the Making: Building Our Own Space Ship

People frequently joke that kids love to play with empty cardboard boxes. Sometimes boxes are even more popular than the toys they contained. It’s true, they do! Here’s a little secret: there are tons of things you can do with cardboard boxes that make them even more fun! A box can easily be transformed into a house, a car, a store, a train, a cave, etc. The possibilities are really endless.

Today we were watching a documentary about planets and a thought crossed my mind: “I bet Derek would love a rocket for his dramatic play! That would fit in perfectly with this week’s lessons!” I could probably order one online… but didn’t want to wait. Where would I get him a rocket on short notice? I could make one! I gathered a collapsed cardboard box from the garage, a box knife, scissors, some brown grocery bags, and a big roll of duct tape and set to work. I had no idea what I was doing, but was feeling creative. It was time to build a homemade space ship!

Fortunately the baby was sleeping. The bigger kids, however, were excited to get involved. They had all sorts of ideas as to how to best build our rocket. They helped hold up walls, cut tape, and stick things together. We went through an entire roll of duct tape! Next, we carried it outside and started painting. What a glorious mess! The kids worked together and discussed what they wanted their project to look like. There were no fights either, no pushing or shoving. I was proud of them for that!

Later in the day, once the paint had dried, we cut out stars from alumium foil and glued them to the rocket. It was done at last and ready for play time! The kids have been playing with it nonstop ever since. They’ve been landing on the Moon, gathering “alien rocks” from Mars, and exploring the outer reaches of the Milky Way. It’s fun seeing them play together and incorporating new concepts we’ve been talking about during Space Week.

With a bit of creativity, a plain old box can become anything. It’s so easy to enhance your child’s dramatic play experiences. Plus, designing and building something together is a great way to bond and practice team work, listening skills, and creative thinking. I don’t expect our space ship to last past tomorrow with 4 kids rough housing with it, but it’s the quality together time that counts, right? What’s the most creative thing you’ve ever done with a box?

Derek begins to paint his side blue

Alex did the lion's share of the painting

Here's the finished product!

Derek loves his new "toy"

Bella kicked him out and claimed it as her own hide-out