momstown Kitchener-Waterloo moms and babies made their own Jack-in-the-Box crafts at Baby Basics! When a baby is starting to understand the idea that something still exists even when it can't be seen, any game where things appear and disappear are always a hit! Peek-a-Boo, Where's Baby, and so many more fun games can be played at this stage of development.
Here are two easy Jack-in-the-Box activities using household recycled items! For more fun with boxes check out these ideas!
Jack-in-the-Cup
1. Find a container for the "box"= plastic cups, but old formula cans, coffee cans, yogurt cartons, etc.
2. Punch a hole in the bottom of the container using a chopstick, pencil, popsicle stick, or shish kabob stick.
3. Glue or tape a fun "Jack" at the end of the stick! You can print off fun circus characters or tv show characters online and colored them. You could even use finger puppets, small stuffed animals or even a plastic figurine!
4. Have fun with your safe jack-in-the-box that you can operate yourself. Simply pull the stick down so the toy has "disappeared", then quickly push it up when you want "Jack" to greet your baby. You can even add a "Pop" sound or "Boo" as you push the character up!
Kid-in-a-Box
1. Use a carton or even a plastic bucket or bin that you have around the house or use an old diaper box. Older kids can decorate the outside of their box and you can turn it into a cool ride!
2. Put baby sitting down, inside or let your toddler climb in and hide.
3. Sing this song as you pretend to crank the handle.... be sure to "POP" baby out or tell your child to "POP" out when you reach that part in the song! (warning, older children will LOVE this so much you will be doing it for hours!)
All around the mulberry bush
The monkey chased the weasel.
The monkey thought 'twas all in fun.
Pop! goes the weasel.
A penny for a spool of thread,
A penny for a needle.
That's the way the money goes.
Pop! goes the weasel.
Up and down the City Road,
In and out of the Eagle,
That's the way the money goes.
Pop! goes the weasel.
Half a pound of tuppenney rice,
Half a pound of treacle,
Mix it up and make it nice,
Pop! goes the weasel.
