What Can You Make with a Cardboard Box? -- Cardboard Creations Crafty Sunday

What can you create from a cardboard box or two? This is what we asked our students for the last two weeks in February. Our school stops academics for two weeks and offers mini courses. One mini course is always for the theater department to prepare for the METG drama festival. For the non-theater kids, we change the course offerings each year, and they pick two classes--one for each week. This year I was offering Cardboard Creations with the physics/chemistry/math teacher. The first week is four days because of Presidents' Day and the second week was supposed to be five days, but we had a blizzard so it turned out to be only three days. 

 I started each week by showing the kids videos from this handout--Cardboard 101. I also shared the handout digitally with them. I also gave them a bunch of links to ideas for cardboard creations. The first video showed the strength of cardboard and talked about how corrugated cardboard was strong in one direction but not the other. We had to remind students of this fact a couple of times. I also showed them the video on rounding and folding cardboard. The school had purchased Makedo Tool Kit for a previous time this class was offered, but most of the kids were not very interested in it. One student did try out the screws that came with it and the most useful tool in the tool kit for my kids was the scoring wheel and the point on all the tools that could be used to poke a hole in the cardboard.

Supplies:

We gathered cardboard and many parents were happy to bring in their boxes for us. We had scissors and box cutters. The art teacher also provided some mats to use the box cutters on without damaging my desks. We also used hot glue guns and bought a box of glue sticks. We also bought quick dry clear craft glue, paint and paint brushes. Then it was up to the kids to decide what to make. 

Projects:

Week 1:

I decided to make a project each week with the kids. I find if I am doing it the kids can get more into it too. Most of the kids came in with an idea of what they wanted to make. The first week we had many big projects including a set of shelves that I forgot to get a picture of and a tower and a human size key character from a video game.

I decided to make a three-dimensional giraffe picture. My inspiration came from My Art Lesson's post called Cardboard Project Inspiration. The three-dimensional part was using layers to have it coming off the page. I used two pizza boxes and a few other things like a tissue box to create this.

One student decided to make a suit of armor with sword and shield. He later painted it green, so we call it his goblin outfit. But he kept the shield with the pizza box logo.

I also have a student who really wants to live in the woods in Northern Maine. He came in wanting to create a map of Maine on the flag of Maine. It came out pretty good.

Another student made this house/village. The house has furniture inside, but they didn't tell me they needed lights until Friday, or I would have brought them in for the display. The details are amazing!!

Some of the other projects include this lion dance mask which has fabric attached to cover the body and a piece of modern art that never got painted. The village above eventually sat inbetween them.

Here is a model of a student's house as well as the green goblin armor and the tower.

Week 2:

Our second week had students who wanted Cardboard Creations as their first choice. They were given the second week because it was supposed to be five days. Unfortunately, Mother Nature did not agree and sent the Blizzard of 2026 which gave us two snow days. However, the kids came in ready to create. We started in the same way. I wasn't sure what I wanted to do, but one of the artistic kids who is close to me suggested I do a cardinal. They even drew me a sketch to start planning my project.

I worked with it and did my own thing. It included some papier mache. Several of the kids wanted me to teach them to papier mache this week. 

I struggled with trying to get the coloring right, but I think I did all right. After I finished her, I wanted to give her something to stand on because she was not very stable. I found a small box that was perfect. 

I got some round black beads for her eyes from the art teacher. Her wings actually flap too! Here is her face.

Now, the student who made the sketch for me is very into oceanography. They made two different sharks and a sea star. Plus, an apple shelf!! There was a shark made the first week, but the student got sick and painted it at home. 

The student told me the specific species of the sharks made but I don't remember. The sharks required papier mache. 

The apple shelf was a quick project while waiting for the papier mache to dry. All four of these projects were made in three days!

Another student made this deer head. This student is very into taxonomy. I love how the deer head came out.

It looks even better from the side!!

This student also made a nice front of a castle. I somehow didn't get a photo of it though. Another student worked on this sword that is from a video game. A student wanted to be knighted with it so that happened.

Another student did several projects but I loved the creativity of this TV head. The black and white screen is a mesh that got painted.

Another student made this spaceship. He also had made one of the Star Wars like creatures using the Makedo tools!

There were also masks made as well as some fun creatures like a cow and Snoopy. This boat that is from Percy Jackson was one of my favorites from the week. It wasn't completed with painting yet.

So, what can you create with a box or two? This was a fun project, and it was really interesting to see the kids create such different things! Plus, it was a great use of all those Amazon boxes that came in and the pizza boxes from Friday Pizza. 

New Board Books with Special Features

 

Disclosure: I was sent copies of these books in order to provide honest reviews. All opinions are my own.

Board books are often thought of just for babies and toddlers. However, board books are also the books that have lift flaps, pop-up art, and more fun features that can be ruined pretty quickly by a young child, so they are better for older kids who understand how to be gentle. Today we are sharing two new board books with special features. One is recommended for ages 0 to 3 and the other is for ages 6+. We will start with the one for 0 to 3. It is Clickety Clack: Clack-Clack, Little Crab! by Amy Blay.

Flying Bear & Floating House

 

Disclosure: I was sent copies of these books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Flying bears and houses that float? Oh, my! Today we are sharing two new picture books that were released last week. One has a flying bear in a hot air balloon, and the other is a wordless book about a house that floated to get moved. To go with our review we are sharing a roundup of hot air balloon crafts. The first book we will share is the wordless one. It is The House That Floated by Guojing. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8.

Summer Themes: Artists -- Today's Focus: Hokusai

 

Disclosure: I was sent these products in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Ready for another summer theme? It is a good one--artists. Art and artists are a fun summer focus. You can read books, watch videos, do crafts and visit museums. It is so fun!! Today we are going to focus on the Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai. At the end of the post will be a roundup of resources on Hokusai as well as a roundup of resources on other famous artists. Today's products are not completely books. The first is Hokusai Prints Sticker Book: A Collection of Over 160 Removable Color Stickers by the Great Artist compiled by Tuttle Studio and illustrated by Katsushika Hokusai. 

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Sea Star -- Book Review & Giveaway with Sea Star Craft Roundup

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. I am working with The Children's Book Review and Kathleen Welton to bring you this post.

Happy First Day of Summer!! To kick off this season I get to share a fun book about sea creatures. Every summer Hazel and I always studied something about the ocean/beach. We always have a beach trip since we get the Cape house for a week. Plus, there are always great crafts to do with the treasures you find on a beach. So, to go with today's book I am sharing a roundup of sea star themed crafts! The book today is Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Sea Star by Kathleen Welton and illustrated by Chau Pham. 

A Gift of Dust: How Saharan Plumes Feed the Planet -- Picture Book Review

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Did you know that the dust from the Sahara reaches the United States? Back in March 2023, Hazel and I were visiting my close friend in Amelia Island, Ferdinand, Florida. There are many cool things to see there besides my friend and her husband. (Be sure to check out American Beach if you are there! Talk about history.) However, their condo is on the beach and from the deck you can see the ocean and the sunrise and from the balcony on the other side you can see the sunset. It is pretty cool. We were also able to see the moonrise. Did you know the moon rises? I had never thought about it before, but it makes sense. Anyway, while we were there the moonrise was a red moon. Later in the evening it would be back to a whitish yellow, but it always rose red. (See picture below.) My friend's husband told us this was because of dust in the Sahara Desert. I didn't totally get it but believed him. He is very into knowing things like this.

The Secret Life of a Sea Turtle -- Book Review with Turtle Craft Roundup

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Today I am sharing a nonfiction picture book that shares the life of a sea turtle. I have always loved these types of books. These books share a story about one animal but also share all sorts of facts and information about the animal within the story. Today's book is The Secret Life of a Sea Turtle by Maddalena Bearzi and illustrated by Alex Boersma. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8. I am including a turtle craft roundup to go with the book.

Animal Themed Books for Young Ones

 

Disclosure: I was sent copies of these books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Kids love books about animals or with animals in them. Today I am sharing three books that are animal themed. They include one board book and two picture books (both released today). We will start with the board book. It is Peekaboo Zoo by Rod Campbell. It is recommended for ages baby to 2.

Sea Without a Shore -- Book Review & Giveaway

 

Disclosure: I was sent a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. I am working with The Children's Book Review and W.W. Norton to bring you this post. 

Summer is over. The beaches are less crowded. Do you visit the shoreline off season? The beaches change so much in each season. Today I get to share with you an interesting nonfiction picture book that teaches us about the one sea on Earth that does not have a shoreline! The book is Sea Without a Shore by Barb Rosenstock and illustrated by Katherine Roy. 

Webster the Beagle & His Adventures on the River -- Book Review & Giveaway with Craft Round-Up

 

Disclosure: I was sent a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. I am working with Expound Publicity and The Children's Book Review to bring you this post.

Did you know that National Dog Day was this week? In honor of that I get to share with you a fun book about a beagle and his adventures to the river with his human. The book is Webster the Beagle and His Adventures on the River by Frank Payne and illustrated by Romney Vasquez. There is a giveaway at the end of the post, and I am sharing a round-up of crafts of some of animals he sees at the river.

Learning About Salt Marshes

 

I have spent much of my life visiting a house on Cape Cod that is on a salt marsh. I never really looked into what a salt marsh is or its value as an ecosystem, but lately have been thinking about it. Today I am delving into a salt marsh, and we will start with what it is and why they are important.

What Is a Salt Marsh?

A salt marsh is a wetlands ecosystem that is flooded and drained by the ocean's tides. They are formed where rivers or creeks meet the ocean. They are composed of deep mud and peat. Peat is a spongy, root-filled material composed of decomposing plant material. They can be low on oxygen which allows certain bacteria to grow, and this bacteria can give off the smell of rotten eggs often associated with salt marshes. I found this interesting since I have early memories of coming to visit my grandparents at night and the awful smell of the marsh always made me hate arriving. Then in the morning the smell was usually gone. 

The marsh has creeks that run through it, but they can change over time depending on tides and more. The marsh also filters out pollutants and provides places for oyster reefs as well as mussels to live. The salt marsh can take the carbon dioxide and sunlight and create carbon and new life. It cleanse our world and provides essential places for fish, shellfish and birds to begin their lives and live. There are also salt-tolerant plants that grow in the marsh. There are two parts of salt marsh: low marsh and high marsh. The low marsh gets flooded every day whereas the high marsh only a couple of times during a month. 

Low Marsh

In the low marsh there is cordgrass or Spartina alterniflora. This grass grows in deep mud that has low oxygen levels. It has strong roots and is flooded and drained of salt water twice a day. The cordgrass does many things important to the ecosystem as well as the surrounding environment. It actually protects the mainland from storms. Yep!! That salt marsh actually helps protect our house. It also helps collect more sediment (from the ocean) and build more marsh. It is also food for some of the wildlife and provides habitats. 

In the summer the marsh is nice and green. However, cordgrass is a perennial and dies off in the fall and winter.

The low marsh is where the creek is and provides a home for crabs as well as a nursery for some fish. 

High Marsh

In the high marsh there is more diverse life. It is only flooded about twice a month. Saltmeadow cordgrass or Spartina patens (commonly called salt marsh hay) and salt grass or Distichlis spicata grow in the high marsh. Many of the plants can store the salt and help with the habitat. 

There is not as much about the high marsh available as it has more dry plants that can handle the salt but not as often as the low marsh plants. More plants can grow here.

Our marsh is surrounded by phragmites. Phragmites also called common reeds are an invasive species. Phragmites can grow up to 14 feet tall by summers end. They can grow thick and take over some of the marsh. I have also seen they can have positive effects on the marsh. There are actually laws about cutting them here. 

Our phragmites serve as a landing place for many of the birds and especially the red-winged blackbirds. 

When I was young my grandfather took me into the marsh. It is hard to walk in and you really need boots on as the mud is messy. Now we tend to stay out of it since it is a breeding ground for deer ticks and yes, there is Lyme disease out there. My parents and I have all been treated after finding ticks on us. In fact at one point my parents' doctors would put them on the antibiotics right away when they found a tick on them because Lyme disease was so prevalent. 

Climate Change and Threats to Salt Marshes

Salt marshes are found around the world. They are on every coast of the United States. There are threats to them due to climate change and how people have interfered with them in the past. In Massachusetts as well as elsewhere there are groups trying to protect these important ecosystems. People's desire for land, farming, and more is slowly destroying them. When my grandparents built this house, they were told they had to build it along the edge of the marsh. Today the town realizes that is a mistake and tries to protect the marsh more and would not permit the house to be built as close as it previously demanded. As we worry about the eroding coastline we worry about our closeness to the marsh. Our house is in a flood plan and had it been built farther back it would not be. But we love the views and watching the changing marsh. And of course we love the sunsets!

To learn more about marshes check out this video.

To learn more about the wildlife check out this video as well. And to learn about the high marsh you can check out this video. 

Sources:

• American Oceans. "What is a salt marsh? An essential ecosystem explained." What is a salt marsh? (noaa.gov)
• Fairchild, Judy Drew. Nature Walks with Judy. "Saltmarsh cordgrass, anchor of the estuary." Saltmarsh Cordgrass, Anchor of the Estuary - Nature Walks with Judy
• Mass Audubon. "Common reeds: phragmites." Common Reed (Phragmites) (massaudubon.org)
• Miller, Daegen. University of Massachusetts. "How a Massuchusetts salt marsh is changing what we know about New England's coast." (14 Mar 2022) How a Massachusetts salt marsh is changing what we know about New England's coast | UMass System
• National Oceans Service. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. "What is a salt marsh?" What is a salt marsh? (noaa.gov)
• S.C. Sea Grant Consortium. Guide to Salt Marshes and Tidal Creeks of the Southeastern United States. "What is a salt marsh?" Ecological Setting - Salt Marsh Guide | Guide to the Salt Marshes and Tidal Creeks of the Southeastern United States
• smattocks. Massachusetts Wildlife Climate Action Tool. "Profile: Salt marsh" (18 Jun 2016) Profile: Salt marsh | Massachusetts Wildlife Climate Action Tool
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. "Salt marsh." salt marsh | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (fws.gov)

Books & Other Resources:

I found a few books about salt marshes at the library if you would like to go that route.

1) 24 Hours in a Salt Marsh by Christy Peterson shares about a day at a salt marsh on the Oregon Coast.

2) Marvels in the Muck: Life in the Salt Marshes by Doug Wechsler shares about the life found in northern salt marshes (New Jersey is mentioned). Some of the wildlife shared I do not see (or know about at least) at Cape Cod.

3) A Day in the Salt Marsh by Kevin Kurtz takes the reader hour by hour naming various wildlife found in a marsh. It has some activities and more information at the end including why salt marshes are important and information about spartina and its adaptations.

4) Salt Marsh by Paul Fleisher shares about a salt marsh in Chesapeake Bay. 

Activities, Crafts & Lessons

Teach your kids more about salt marshes with these lessons, activities and crafts.

• S.C. Sea Grant Consortium shares lessons, posters and an activity book to learn about Southeastern salt marshes.
• Sea Camp Texas A&M University shares a video tutorial on making a salt marsh diorama.
• Data Nuggets offers some lessons about the zones of salt marshes with a grading rubric.
• To the Lesson offers a lesson on freshwater vs. saltwater.
• Science Project offers an experiment on how saltwater effects plants. 
• NC Wetlands offers a simpler experiment on how saltwater effects freshwater plants.

Kawaii Origami for Kids -- Crafty Sundays

 

Disclosure: I was sent this kit in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I have shared several origami kits as well as origami paper packs and projects with you over the years. Today I am sharing a wonderful origami kit for kids. I think this is my favorite one ever!! It is Kawaii Origami for Kids by Naoko Ishibashi. Kawaii is a huge Japanese culture of cuteness. I am sure you have seen the word previously. These origami projects are just so cute!! So it makes sense that it is called the Kawaii Origami for Kids.

Timely New Picture Books Released This Week

 

Disclosure: I was sent copies of these book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Every Tuesday new books get released. Today I am sharing three new picture books released today. These books timely for current events and Asian-American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month as well as one about inclusion with information about lifeboats too. The first book is Daniel and Ismail by Juan Pablo Iglesias Yacher and illustrated by Alex Peris. It was translated into English by Ilan Stavans; translated into Hebrew by Eliezer Nowodworski and Frieda Press-Danieli; and into Arabic by Randa Sayegh. It is being released into paperback today and is recommended for ages 3 to 6.

Else B. in the Sea -- Book Review & Giveaway with Under the Sea Craft Round-Up

 

Disclosure: I was sent a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I am working with The Children's Book Review and Jeanne Walker Harvey to bring you this post and giveaway. All opinions are my own.

I love books that share about people you may not have heard of. Today I get to share a nonfiction picture book about a woman who explored colors and paints of under water to share what a scientist saw on his underwater exploration. The woman is Else Bostelmann. The book is Else B. in the Sea The Woman Who Painted the Wonders of the Deep by Jeanne Walker Harvey and illustrated by Melodie Stacey.

New Board Books that Will Inspire, Teach & Put to Bed

 

Disclosure: I was sent copies of these books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Spring has sprung! That means weddings, baby showers and more! Today I get to share with you three fun new board books that each will teach as well as inspire and one is perfect for the good night story! So if you have a baby shower coming up or know someone who is having a baby or has young children and wants great books to read them, check these books out!! The first one is Hey Now, Little Man by Dori Elys and illustrated by Chris Park. 

Bark Ship Bonnie -- Picture Book Review & Craft Round-Up

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

How are you spending your summer? Do you go boating? Today I am sharing a new picture book that introduces ship language and slang. Plus I am sharing a boat/ship craft round-up. The book is Bark Ship Bonnie by Stephanie Staib and illustrated by Fiona Lee. It is recommended for ages 5 to 7. And don't worry if you are not knowledgeable about ship language--there is a glossary!!

Famous Seaweed Soup -- Book Review & Giveaway

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I will receive a small stipend for participating in The Children's Book Review & Purple Butterfly Press's Virtual Book Tour with this post. All opinions are my own.

Spring is popping up all around me and that means summer is around the corner. Today I get to share with you a fun book that is perfect for those summer beach trips and more! It is Famous Seaweed Soup by Antoinette Truglio Martin and illustrated by Penny Weber. And there is a giveaway including the grand prize of an entire classroom set of this fun book!!

Odder -- New Middel Grades Novel in Verse about Sea Otters

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

My life has gotten a bit crazy. My reading time is definitely cut down, but I found time to read today's book and loved it. We can start with the adorable picture on the cover. This book is a new middle grades novel written completely in verse. It is Odder by Katherine Applegate. It is recommended for ages 8 to 12.

Northwind -- a Middle School/YA novel taking a look at life in the Northern Ocean

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Today I am going to share a new middle school/young adult novel that takes a look at a different life than I am used to. It has been sitting on my shelf for awhile. When my life changed in April, I got behind reading my middle grades and young adult (as well as adult) books. This book is perfect for an Earth Day theme as well as just an adventure lover or explorer. It is Northwind by Gary Paulsen. It is recommended for ages 10 to 14.