I’m giving you ideas and inspiration to create a tinker box for your kids. Tinker trays or boxes are a great way to create an invitation to play for your kids. Adding items that are sensory and STEM-based creates an opportunity for open-ended play. I’m using all Dollar Tree items for this dough kit tinker box which makes it very affordable.
This is fun child lead play. Your job is just to supply the items!
This post is a little more on the Easter side, but on any trip to the Dollar Tree, you can adjust to the nearest holiday or season.
Before we get started, I got my Plastic Box Here, but you can use another type if you find one that works for you.
As for the Box I Picked Up-
- Dough – Because it was Easter/Spring themed I went for colorful. You can go bright pastel or whatever color works for you. To make it fit in the box and stay good I wrapped portions in plastic wrap.
- Easter Grass – but, not just any Easter Grass, I used “Peeps Easter Grass” which had a fun smell component. You only want to add “just enough” Easter Grass as we all know how messy that can get. I wrapped it around my fingers to make it more uniform for box placement.
- Baking Cups – How many you added a couple of colorful foil baking cups Dollar Tree had. What color and how many you add is completely up to you.
- Bunny Erasers! – I found some really fun bunny erasers. They fit my box-sizing perfectly so I included a full package. What I also love about the erasers is that they are also perfect for counting activities and whatnot. Lots of activity possibilities with them.
- Carrot & Bunny Stickers – The ones I picked up were felt, so they had that texture, and the backside was peel and stick.
- Plastic Confetti – Little mix, small enough to not make a mess, but fun to scatter on the table or mix into the dough.
- Paper Straws – I cut to fit the section in my box and mixed up the colors, really making a pastel feel.
*Other Ideas (not in this box, but used in my other kits)- pebbles, plastic straws, beads? Reuse things you have. You don’t always have to buy new stuff, just be switching out the items to get a new feel even if the items are old.
I also had picked up the wooden craft cutouts of carrots and bunnies but ended up not using them this round. But you can switch things to your child(ren)’s liking.
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Disclaimer: The products featured in this were purchased by myself or sent to me for review for free.
Some videos may be sponsored by brands that I enjoy. Make sure to *ALWAYS* use discretion when deciding on age-appropriate activities and supervise your children.
MUSIC: courtesy of Soundstripe.
