Recently, I spotted these cute cardboard city blocks from Pottery Barn Kids.
I liked them, but I didn’t $40 like them — not when I had plenty of free cardboard that was begging me to make something fun and amazing with it. (Does your cardboard ever do that to you??)
So I made my own (more colorful) version, turning these…
…into these!! (It helps to stuff them with newspaper, to make them more sturdy.)
Our colorful cardboard city inspired LOTS of imaginative play time fun!!
It was a great addition to our Melissa & Doug Town Blocks Set, a Christmas gift the kiddos got this year which has since become a new favorite toy around here!
Clara loved building HUGE skyscrapers!!
Both of the girls have already requested a few more buildings, AND a cardboard parking garage like this one. We’ll be putting all that leftover cardboard and the Melissa & Doug set to good use!
Vrrooom! Vrrrooom!!
I’ve added this post to:
Play Academy @ NurtureStore
January 5th, 2012 on 4:13 pm
Dear Valerie,
I think that I get the Husband of the Year award for getting you gummed reinforced tape for Christmas. With that being said, I’m not sure that I consider your love of cardboard to be a healthy relationship.
Love,
Mark
January 5th, 2012 on 4:19 pm
These are too cute! We might have to make some one day! We have been playing “Hot Chocolate Store!”
January 5th, 2012 on 4:56 pm
Hehehe…. I love Mark’s reply. I want gummed reinforced tape! Oh hubby!!!
Those are stinkin’ cute Val.
January 5th, 2012 on 5:19 pm
These are fabulous: I’d pay $40 for them before I’d pay $40 for the Pottery Barn ones. Now I just need to work out what on earth gummed reinforced tape is and buy myself some
January 5th, 2012 on 6:17 pm
We did something similar but we used christmas boxes to make three dimensional bridges, so cute!
January 5th, 2012 on 6:23 pm
Clever!! I think bridges are a mandatory addition — thanks for sharing, Eric!
January 5th, 2012 on 9:13 pm
Those are like art pieces – so beautiful! It’s got my wheels spinning too!
January 5th, 2012 on 11:37 pm
Very pretty and so-so frugal!
January 6th, 2012 on 12:20 am
Fabulous! I’m saving almond milk cartons to make some houses for a little town. Some skyscrapers can help make a pretty cool neighborhood.. and I’m thinking store fronts, a bakery perhaps to sell the sock donuts that you inspired?
January 6th, 2012 on 8:41 am
I’m lazy, my kids are happily playing with plain old cardboard blocks and loving it.
January 6th, 2012 on 10:27 am
Your buildings are so fun!!! Can’t wait to see more cardboard creations from your home =)
January 6th, 2012 on 12:22 pm
Wonderful!!
January 7th, 2012 on 4:55 am
So pretty and colourful!
January 9th, 2012 on 8:57 am
Was very nice. How do white cartons?
February 6th, 2012 on 3:59 pm
What a cute idea! And I love those block toys, definitely going to have to find some of those.