We have a subscription to Amazon Prime, and let’s just say we make the most of it. Almost every day, our postal carrier drops off another delightful surprise for my partner and me: camping gear, clothing, USB cords, and books. But it’s not these items that get my kids excited; it’s what comes inside the boxes.
When our Amazon deliveries arrive, they come packed with poppable plastic air bags. My children, with their youthful exuberance, eagerly await our unboxing. They can hardly contain their excitement as we tear open the tape, disregarding our purchases in favor of the packaging. We hope for enough air bags to go around, as they immediately set them on the floor, jump up and down, and delight in the satisfying POP! They giggle and repeat this joyful ritual until every last one is gone.
Next, the box itself becomes the center of their imaginative play. It morphs into whatever they envision: a spaceship, a car, a cozy bed, or even a racing dragon. They enthusiastically unleash their creativity, scribbling with crayons and working together to transform the cardboard into their next great adventure. They can easily lose themselves in this play for over an hour. It’s truly remarkable how much joy a simple box can bring.
My kids have a fondness for what most people would consider trash. Honestly, I question why I even bother keeping their traditional toys when they’d rather explore the depths of my recycling bin. They certainly have a collection of toys—perhaps too many—but their hearts belong to the discarded items. While Amazon boxes are their favorites, they also find treasure in all sorts of things. I’ve watched them stack empty pudding cups, decorate cardboard, and repurpose plastic cups into kitchen props.
Their second most beloved item? Anything that can double as a sword. They have a knack for turning cardboard into makeshift weapons, but it’s much easier to grab something already shaped like a sword. For weeks, they entertained themselves by battling each other with a dog-chewed back-scratcher, and chewed rulers suffice as well (thanks to our puppy). Even a foam noodle, which fell apart after being left outside all winter, becomes a fierce weapon in their hands.
Next on the list are whips. Any piece of twine, rope, or ribbon instantly transforms into a whip, leading us to shout reminders for them to keep it away from fragile items. They’ve even crafted whips from used glowsticks, which create a satisfying swoosh when swung. Sometimes they tie the twine to a dog leash for added reach. We’re always trying to rein that in. When they tire of whipping, they tie the rope to their play structure and use it to scale the slide, even employing my partner’s old robe tie—long forgotten and essentially trash now.
Old magazines never serve their original purpose around here. My partner has accumulated every National Geographic issue ever published, and my children love to cut them up and create collages. They don’t discriminate, either; the current New Yorker, local publications, and even pizza flyers are all fair game. I sometimes dread this creative endeavor because it requires me to supervise scissors (we’ve had a few hair-cutting mishaps) and clean up the confetti-like mess. But it’s art, and I’ll tolerate a lot for the sake of creativity.
The bathtub has become a treasure trove for repurposed items. They play with old plastic spoons, transforming emptied shampoo and conditioner bottles into pouring tools. Even dog-chewed plastic cups make an appearance, and they love the rare soda bottle. Occasionally, we even bring in emptied Dawn bottles since they squirt water, making them especially coveted. It’s been ages since they played with actual bath toys.
In the end, my children adore trash. From boxes to bottles, swords to whips, they’ll play with anything. Some might argue that I’m allowing them to play with refuse and suggest I call social services. However, I see it differently; this imaginative play encourages their creativity. I’d much prefer they engage with these unconventional toys rather than many of their store-bought items. When they play with “trash,” their imagination takes the lead, and that’s the essence of play.
So, my kids will continue to anticipate those Amazon packages, rip apart pizza ads, and pour bath water from shampoo bottles. It brings them joy, stimulates their minds, and might just be the best toys they own. And while some might see trash, I see the truth in their creativity.
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Summary
Kids often find the most joy in what adults consider trash, transforming items like boxes and bottles into imaginative toys. This article explores how everyday items can inspire creativity and play in children, emphasizing the importance of allowing them to engage with their environment in inventive ways.