Turn Cardboard into Creativity: Books, Tools, and Family-Friendly Activities

What This Article Offers

Looking for fun ways to get creative with recycled materials? This blog is full of activities and event ideas that turn everyday cardboard into exciting projects for kids, families, and classrooms. You’ll find inspiration to spark imagination, build confidence, and make learning playful.

Here’s what we’ll cover:

• Chomp Saw – A kid-safe power tool perfect for classrooms. Safe, simple, and easy to set up, it transforms ordinary cardboard into extraordinary creations.

• Not a Box – Antoinette Portis’ award-winning book that reminds kids a simple box can become anything their imagination allows.

• Cardboard Construction: Beyond the Box – A hands-on, 1,500 sq. ft. pop-up experience at the Magic House located in St Louis, Missouri. Kids can build robots, vehicles, and towering structures while learning to use kid-safe tools like the Chomp Saw.

Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or educator, these ideas are perfect for engaging children in playful, creative learning that turns ordinary materials into extraordinary adventures.

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Chomp Saw: Turn Cardboard into Creativity

The Chomp Saw is a kid-safe power tool designed just for classrooms—helping students create, explore, and learn through hands-on play.

Why teachers love it:

• Safe and simple to use – Perfect for young builders.

• Transforms ordinary cardboard – Turn boxes into robots, vehicles, and more.

• Builds confidence & sparks imagination – Kids feel proud of what they create.

• Easy setup – Spend less time prepping and more time creating.

Not just a toy, the Chomp Saw is a tool for learning through play. See how the Chomp Saw can power up your classroom!

Not a Box: Imagination in a Book 📦

Another great resource for inspiring creativity is Not a Box by Antoinette Portis, winner of the 2026 Phoenix Picture Book Award and a Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Award!

This charming story shows that a box is never just a box—it can be a mountain, a rocket, or anything your imagination allows. Perfect for fans of Mo Willems and Crockett Johnson, it’s a thoughtful pick for creative minds of all ages.

Inspired by childhood play, Not a Box reminds us that even the simplest materials can spark the biggest adventures. Whether you’re reading at home or using it to inspire a classroom activity, it’s a wonderful way to encourage curiosity, creativity, and inventive thinking.

Bring the adventure home—check out Not a Box on Amazon!

Cardboard Construction: Beyond the Box Event

If you’re in St. Louis, Missouri, don’t miss Cardboard Construction: Beyond the Box at the Magic House! From August 22 – September 21, this hands-on, 1,500 sq. ft. pop-up experience lets kids unleash their creativity using everyday materials like cardboard, pipe cleaners, and even kid-safe power tools.

Inside the exhibit, kids can:

• Build robots, vehicles, and towering structures

• Learn to use kid-safe tools like the Chomp Saw

• Explore a special area designed for younger children to create and play

After this run, the exhibit will continue at MADE for Kids from October 1 – December 31, giving families even more chances to experience the fun. This event is perfect for a family outing or a creative adventure with friends, turning ordinary materials into extraordinary learning and play.

Plan your visit today! Check out the full event details here!