Busy Hands: Cereal Box Ball Game

I keep collecting cereal boxes or pieces of paper lying around, and eventually, I think of something to do with them. With this cereal box game, I made a simple ball game for my toddler. I didn't focus on making the box look 'pretty' because toddlers get bored of things easily, and I knew that this home made toy wouldn't last for long in his little hands!

Here are the things we used to make this simple ball game:

- A cereal box
- Clear tape
- Transparent plastic sheet or cellophane
- Scissors
- A lightweight ball

This is how we made it:

1. Cut out a rectangular 'frame' on the front of the cereal box, and keep the the cut-out sheet.

2. Divide the cut-out sheet in four equal sections (in rectangles).

3. Take each section and make two cuts on one end.

4. Fold over the middle so that you have two ends standing out (see picture below).



(See larger image)

5. Make two slits on each side of the cereal box, making sure that they are equally spaced apart.

6. Push the middle of each section into those slits, and tape the ends in place both inside and outside the box.

7. When you are done with all four sections, your game is almost ready. If required, you can use more tape to make the sections stand horizontally in place.

8. Drop a lightweight ball inside, making sure that it's small enough to move freely between the sections.

9. Tape the top of the box shut.

10. Cover the outside of the box with a transparent plastic sheet or cellophane.

Your game is ready! It may look simple, but I was surprised at how many skills a child will need to maneuver the ball through the  sections. I had to teach Little Dude to hold the box steady, and subtly move the ball around. I also took this opportunity to strengthen his understanding of top, bottom, right, and left.

Older kids can make more complicated versions of this game themselves, but I think it will really appeal to toddlers and prechoolers.

Busy Hands is a series about activities and craft 
you can do with toddlers and young children.