I’m not sure if you have the same kind of tech-addiction that we have in our house, but it definitely becomes a problem. My 5yo is obsessed with the TV/Xbox/iPad; my husband gets all his news and information off his phone, and I’m guilty of obsessively checking my email and Facebook. Technology is awesome, but it can overwhelm you.
When my eldest was a toddler, my husband and I got into the habit of putting our phones out of sight after work and focusing on our son. We weren’t “allowed” to pick them up again until he went to bed. That habit disappeared over time and moves and things, and I figured it was time to bring it back. To help out, my son and I created a “Monster Box”. The idea is that the monster will “eat” our phones when we should be having family time!
This makes a fun craft to do with your kids, and mine loved getting to decide on the color and design of our Monster. I’m sure you have a box lying around that will work for a Monster – soda boxes and these applesauce boxes work great!
J enjoyed getting to play with the tape measure so we could accurately determine the length of “monster skin” we needed in our scrapbook paper.
A paper trimmer works well for precise cuts, but an old fashioned ruler and pair of scissors would do just as well.
You can use double-sided tape or glue to secure the paper to the box. I used my Skor Tape.
I lined the lid with the Skor Tape but made sure it wasn’t fully secured until I could use an Exacto blade to follow the “mouth” opening in the paper.
It’s fairly easy to trace the outline and then secure all the edges. Then it’s just decorating time!
Go nuts! Just grab different colored papers, maybe some stickers or other fun craft supplies, and go to town.
J had a blast using Mommy’s hole punch.
Once you think you’ve got a good Monster going, don’t forget to add some white paper teeth!
