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Use a Large Box as a Prop for Pretend Play

Last Updated: September 14, 2009

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Parenting Tips for Your 27-28 Month Old Toddler

Isn’t it nice to see your child’s imagination develop? When your toddler pretends he can be as powerful, as big, and as important as he wants to be, this is a good feeling. He can practice being like members of his family or kings, teachers, or police officers.

Imagination and pretend play are important. They help your child cope with his world and prepare for his future. They help him develop his creativity, and they are just plain fun. You can encourage his imagination and be a part of his pretend play by making a carton or box play place with him.

For the box or carton play place you will need:

  • Large cardboard carton or box that you might get from grocery or appliance stores. Your carton should be large enough for your toddler to crawl inside.
  • Crayons, colored paper or streamers, balloons, and so forth for decorating the play place.

The play place can be whatever your toddler wants it to be, a house, a spaceship, a boat, a cave, a fort, or all of these.

Place the box so the open end is on the floor. Cut a door, windows, portholes, or whatever your toddler wants on the sides and back of the box. Let your toddler decorate the play place however he wants. He may want you to write his name on the box or put a message or sign on it.


Learn more about Your Toddler: 27-28 Months from Just In Time Parenting. You can also go to our Resource Links for additional information on child care and development.


Note to Parents: When reading this newsletter, remember: Every baby is different. Children may do things earlier or later than described here. This newsletter gives equal space and time to both sexes. If he or she is used, we are talking about all babies.
References: These materials were adapted by authors from Extension Just in Time Parenting Newsletters in California, Delaware, Georgia, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Tennessee, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, and Wisconsin.

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