Ages 4-7 · child and adult
Cardboard city: deliver the parcel
Turn empty boxes into a city. Plan a route to the hospital, shop and station.
Set your own pace. Preparation depends on your materials.
What to gather
- Three clean small boxes without staples
- Large cardboard sheet, crayons and paper tape
- Toy car or large figure
Keeping it safe An adult removes staples and sharp edges. Build on the floor away from walkways. Do not climb into boxes.
Choose a challenge level
Ages 4-5
Use two buildings and one road. Let the child choose the destination.Ages 6-7
Deliver two parcels in one trip. Compare two possible orders of stops.Step-by-step instructions
Draw a cross, bag and train on the boxes. Space the buildings out on the cardboard base.
Mark roads and one junction with tape. Check that your toy car fits and can turn at each corner.
Choose a delivery address. Trace the route with a finger, then drive it. An adult closes one road with a paper sign. Find another route.
TATAAA
Now turn it into a game
Dispatcher: one player names a destination symbol and the other delivers the parcel. Add a passenger who wants to visit two places.
When it gets tricky
Road too narrow? Move a building instead of forcing the car through. Reposition the tape.
When an experiment goes wrongWhen you are done
You deliver a parcel and show an alternative route.
If your child does not want to continue, it is fine to stop. You can safely swap roles or adapt the rules.
What to notice
A map represents places with symbols and spatial relationships. A detour reaches the same destination by another route.
Keep exploring
Build and testPaper bridge: which shape holds more?
The same paper, two shapes. Compare a flat bridge with a folded one, then try changing one thing.
Open mission
Build and testToy car ramp: how far will it roll?
Build a low ramp and predict where the car will stop. Change the height and compare the distances.
Open mission