If you've just purchased a new pair of shoes and are about to recycle its box, not so fast! Plenty of clever kid-friendly creations can be fashioned from these cardboard containers. Your little guys may have just as much fun making some of the cool crafts we found as they will playing with them.
From a dollhouse to a car wash, the opportunities for imaginary play with a shoe box are endless. Plus, after seeing these adorable cardboard designs, you'll have the perfect excuse to go shoe shopping!
Dollhouse
This adorable dollhouse will provide hours of entertainment! Sara, of Creative Jewish Mom, says her kids enjoyed it so much they couldn't wait to make multi-room homes!
Foosball Game
Sarah of Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls says she decided to make this Foosball Game strictly one-on-one in the interest of keeping things simple. It also would be fun to use a larger box and add more rows of players for those kids looking for more challenging competition!
More from Cafemom: 15 Cool Kid Crafts to Use Up Those Extra Toilet Paper Rolls In Your House
Puppet Theater
If you've got a budding playwright or two on your hands, chances are they'll love this Puppet Theater. Aren't the Popsicle-stick characters adorable too? Carrie of Bedtime Tales created this for Melissa Esplin.
Car Wash
This Car Wash, created by Sarah of Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls, will keep the kids busy for a while! Use felt strips to make the interior look as authentic as possible.
Schoolhouse
Michelle of MollyMoo Crafts created this super-cute School House that's perfect for imaginary play. The kids can make up their own works of art to line the classroom walls. If you don't have a shoe box on hand, Michelle recommends popping in a shoe store and asking them for a spare. Great idea.
More from Cafemom: 10 Kid Crafts That Help Teach Toddlers Their Numbers
Train
All aboard! This Shoebox Train created by Jessica of Cutesy Crafts is a fun way to get the kids delivering their stuffed animals and toys right back to their proper locations. It's so much fun, they won't even realize they're helping straighten up the house.
Hanging Aquarium
If your kids have been begging for goldfish but you don't think they're ready just yet, try crafting this adorable Hanging Aquarium, dreamed up by Joel of Made By Joel. Moving the top buttons around makes it look as if your fish are actually swimming.
Marble Maze
Jodi at Meaningful Mama created this Marble Maze simply by using straws, glue, and a box lid. It's a fun game to occupy kids, and they can even create some tricky labyrinth configurations themselves if they're inclined.
Shark
You might want to keep this shoe box Shark (by Wim at Knutselidee) away from your hanging aquarium or you'll have some nervous little fish at your home! These scary sea creatures are sure to appeal to budding marine biologists.
