7 Ways to Use a Box for Gross Motor Play (...Yes, A Box!)
Looking for a toy that will keep baby entertained but will also help encourage developmental skills? Well look no further, because you probably already have the perfect gift lying around your house… an empty box! Don’t believe me? Find your most recent Amazon delivery, follow the guide below, and watch the fun unfold!
Tummy Time
SET UP: Find a box that has a large base (longer than baby’s height) but is fairly shallow. Place baby on their belly inside the box. Let baby explore the cardboard texture with their hands and model patting and scratching on the surface. To encourage pushing up onto their hands, play Peek-a-boo with the box flaps.
Suggested age range: 4-8 months
Sitting #1
Find a shallow box and place it on the floor with flaps closed. Place baby in a sitting position next to the box, providing support with your hands if needed. You can practice banging on the box or feeling the texture of the box. You can also use the box as a small “table” to practice stacking or knocking down blocks.
Suggested age range: 5-9 months
Sitting #2
Any box type will work for this activity--simply place baby in a sitting position inside the box. You can place blankets or a Boppy pillow around them for more support if needed. Practice opening/closing the flaps or play Peek-a-boo with baby.
Suggested age range: 5-9 months
Crawling
Find a large box that is only a few inches tall. Rip one or more of the flaps off of the box. Help baby get into a crawling position with hands inside the box and knees outside of the box. You can work on just maintaining this hands and knees position, or you can help baby swing one leg over the side of the box to crawl inside.
Suggested age range: 7-12 months
Kneeling
Find a large box that is only a few inches tall. Keep the flaps closed. Place baby in a kneeling position at the box (knees should be right under hips). Provide support with your hands as needed. Practice banging the box, scratching the box, or knocking over a block tower.
Suggested age range: 7-12 months
Pushing
Find a large box that is only a few inches tall. Keep the flaps closed. Place baby in a kneeling position at the box (knees should be right under hips). Provide support at trunk if needed and help baby push the box a few inches forward. This will mimic a “crawling” motion.
Suggested age range: 8-12 months
Standing
Find a large box that comes up to the height of baby’s belly button or chest. Place baby in a standing position at the box with support at trunk or hips. Practice patting or banging hands on top of the box. If you are able to open the flaps of the box, you can also practice placing toys/small objects inside of the box.
Suggested age range: 8-12 months
Have questions or concerns? Get in touch with one of our therapists!