Here’s a cute idea for a homemade holiday gift! All you need is one of these tri-fold presentation boards, a yardstick or other straight-edge tool, a utility knife and a Sharpie!
Over the years my kids have enjoyed several of these cardboard houses that they can decorate themselves. They have always been a great gift. The kids would spend weeks coloring them and playing pretend. We’ve had royalty in castles, chefs in restaurants, astronauts in spaceships, and witches living in gingerbread houses. It’s always been a blast! And the best part for me is that once the shine has worn off this new “toy,” it can go right into the recycle bin– no clutter for me and no trash in a landfill for the planet. Really, everyone wins with this one!
So a couple of years ago we decided we’d try our own DIY version of this concept to gift to my young nieces and nephews. It was so easy and fun and well-loved by the recipients, that I had to share it!
All you need is a large trifold presentation board, a few simple tools and your imagination to go from this:
To this:
It really couldn’t be easier!
Materials: One (or more!) 48″ x 36″ trifold presentation boards (made out of corrugated cardboard), a yardstick, a pencil, a black Sharpie marker and a utility knife.
Step 1: Using a yardstick (or another straight-edge tool), draw a large rectangle on the upper half of the center panel.
Step 2: Use a utility knife to cut out the rectangle so you are left with a window (make sure to do this on a safe surface for cutting!).
Step 3: Using a pencil, sketch out your board in a fun pretend play design. We did an ice cream truck and a sweet shop. Other ideas include a flower shop, a cafe, a grocery store, a boutique, a food truck, a farm stand– or go extra festive for the holidays and make a gingerbread house!
Step 4: Use a Sharpie marker go over your design and make it color-ready!
My oldest son who loves to draw is actually the one responsible for the fun artwork on both our versions. But you don’t have to be an artist. Part of the charm is the cartoon-like quality of the illustration that leaves plenty of blank space for kiddos to fill in using their own art 🙂
That’s it! Pair this with a box of colorful markers and you’ve got the perfect homemade holiday gift idea for all the littles in your life!
You could also just keep these materials on hand and be ready with a great last-minute snow day activity 🙂
If you try this at home, we’d love to see pictures of your DIY playhouse creations (and maybe even share them here!). Send us a pic at outandaboutmom@gmail.com.
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