Cardboard Box Drive-In Movie Night

What you need

• Cardboard box, 1 large box per child
• Plate or tray, 6 paper plates per car (4 wheels, 2 headlights)
• Crayons or markers, a handful
• Glue stick, 1
• Painter's tape, 1 roll
• Pillows and cushions, 1 per car (optional)
• Blanket, 1 (optional)
• Newspaper, a few sheets
• Cutting tool, 1, grown-up only
• Movie and a screen, 1
• Popcorn, 1 batch
• Bowl, 1 per child
• Soft snack for under 4s, sliced banana or toddler puffs (optional)

How to do it

Grown-up prep: Grab one large cardboard box per child, big enough for them to sit inside. Cut off the top flaps ahead of time so the box is open like a car seat. Pick a family-friendly movie and have popcorn ready to make later. Safety note: popcorn is a choking hazard for children under 4, so give little ones a softer snack instead, like sliced banana or puffed snacks made for toddlers.

1. Cut the top flaps off each box so it is open for a driver. A grown-up does this
2. Decorate your box like a car. Draw doors, windows, a steering wheel, and stripes!
   Ask: What color is your car, and what's its name?
3. Color four paper plates to make wheels. Draw hubcaps in the middle.
4. Stick two wheels on each side of the box with tape or glue.
5. Color two plates yellow for headlights and tape them to the front.
6. Park the cars in a row facing the screen. Tuck in a pillow or blanket.
   Ask: Who gets the best parking spot, and how can we make sure everyone can see?
7. Make popcorn and fill the bowls, with a softer snack for under 4s. A grown-up does this
8. Climb into your car, buckle your pretend seatbelt, and enjoy the movie and snacks!
9. Invite friends to park too, or build a ticket booth! What movie is next?
   Ask: What would you add to your car to make the next movie night even better?

Play it again

• Car wash: draw a car wash with tape and cardboard, then drive each car through it before the movie.
• Ticket booth: make paper tickets and take turns being the ticket taker at the gate.
• Car swap: trade cars with a friend and add one new decoration to their car.