There is quite a variety of toy boxes on the market that come in various sizes and shapes, but most people have the chest like wooden boxes that sport hinged lids or a molded plastic box. Plastic toy boxes may look like teddy bears of fire engines and may or may not have a lid. These toy boxes are wonderful but they can run into some money so most children only have one. Most kids have more toys that can fit in that lonely box. Where can the other toys be stored?
You can create a toy box from a storage tub that is made of plastic. These tubs come in different colors and different sizes and you can even personalize them more by adding a few things here and there. Tubs can be a very safe alternative to a wooden box. They do not have pointed corners so there is no way the child can hurt themselves. There has been an issue with wooden boxes and lids that slip and smash into the child when they are using it and this will not occur because you remove the plastic lid to get inside. Kids have a tendency to climb into toy boxes and they do sometimes get shut in. This will not happen with a tub, just make sure to get the kind without locks on the lid and your child will easily be able to push themselves out
Decorating the tub is a breeze and it will resemble a toy box in no time. Purchase decals or stickers or get craft foam, felt, fabric and paint to make it look fun. Use any animal or object that your child loves. The child can help to decorate the box and make it their own. Many times a wooden box will be scraped and chipped by toys that are in the box and this will not happen with plastic tubs that will stay fresh for a long time.
Painting the tub is an option but if you spray paint the whole thing the paint will chip and peel in time causing an issue for little kids. Tubs come in all colors so there should be no reason to paint the whole thing. You can use acrylic paint to paint flowers or other fun forms on the tub. Stencils used with acrylic paint can make a fun toy box too. Paint yellow ducks on a blue tub, sheep on a purple tub and even fire trucks on a black tub. Stencils are plentiful and there are many made with children in mind. There are even alphabet letters and you can stencil the child's name on their specific tub.
To make your own fun figures to stick on your tub go to the crafting store and get craft foam in either sheets or in pre cut figures. Most foam comes with adhesive on the back and you just have to remove the paper backing and stick them on. You can adorn the figures with other foam or paint them with the pointy nozzle of fabric paint. To make a lady bug motif cut out two circles, one in black and one in red. Divide the red one in half and place it over the black on separating the two red halves to show a wedge of black in between them. This is the black body and the red wings. Cut another black circle then cut again using only a fourth of it. Stick this to the red and black circles at the top where the wings meet. This is the head. Add some black circles for dots on the wings and cut out some white circles for eyes. Once the lady bug is made your child can help you apply them to the tub.
Felt also comes with an adhesive backing and you can find regular felt that is just like cloth or the rigid variety. The rigid type is best to use. If you have a hard time finding the felt with adhesive just spray the tub with spray glue and stick the figure on it. Once the glue dries you will not see it at all. Cookie cutters come in many shapes so find one that your child will enjoy. Instead of making cookies place it on the felt and trace around then cut the figure out. Embellish the figures with fabric paint or more felt. Make a bear by cutting the figure out of several variations of brown or black and white for a panda bear. Next cut out a little circle that will be glued with fabric glue onto the middle of the head. This is the bear's muzzle. Use a tiny black pompom or small piece of black to place in this circle just north of the center. This is the bear's nose. You will need two small black dots for eyes placed above the circle and on either side.
You can also cut fabric to completely cover the tub. Measure the tub and cut fabric to fit in one large sheet around the sides and to tuck under the lip. The fabric will fray so cut with pinking shears or apply no fray liquid on the edges. Spray the tub with adhesive and carefully stick. You can do this in sections if it is easier for you. Do not forget to do the top but only do the indented part in the middle. If you do the edges too the top will not snap into place.
It is always a good thing to have a good molded plastic or wooden box in which to store toys. Since they are so expensive it is hard to have two or more to store all toys away. The inexpensive storage tub toy box is a great alternative and will keep toys up off the floor. - 30320
You can create a toy box from a storage tub that is made of plastic. These tubs come in different colors and different sizes and you can even personalize them more by adding a few things here and there. Tubs can be a very safe alternative to a wooden box. They do not have pointed corners so there is no way the child can hurt themselves. There has been an issue with wooden boxes and lids that slip and smash into the child when they are using it and this will not occur because you remove the plastic lid to get inside. Kids have a tendency to climb into toy boxes and they do sometimes get shut in. This will not happen with a tub, just make sure to get the kind without locks on the lid and your child will easily be able to push themselves out
Decorating the tub is a breeze and it will resemble a toy box in no time. Purchase decals or stickers or get craft foam, felt, fabric and paint to make it look fun. Use any animal or object that your child loves. The child can help to decorate the box and make it their own. Many times a wooden box will be scraped and chipped by toys that are in the box and this will not happen with plastic tubs that will stay fresh for a long time.
Painting the tub is an option but if you spray paint the whole thing the paint will chip and peel in time causing an issue for little kids. Tubs come in all colors so there should be no reason to paint the whole thing. You can use acrylic paint to paint flowers or other fun forms on the tub. Stencils used with acrylic paint can make a fun toy box too. Paint yellow ducks on a blue tub, sheep on a purple tub and even fire trucks on a black tub. Stencils are plentiful and there are many made with children in mind. There are even alphabet letters and you can stencil the child's name on their specific tub.
To make your own fun figures to stick on your tub go to the crafting store and get craft foam in either sheets or in pre cut figures. Most foam comes with adhesive on the back and you just have to remove the paper backing and stick them on. You can adorn the figures with other foam or paint them with the pointy nozzle of fabric paint. To make a lady bug motif cut out two circles, one in black and one in red. Divide the red one in half and place it over the black on separating the two red halves to show a wedge of black in between them. This is the black body and the red wings. Cut another black circle then cut again using only a fourth of it. Stick this to the red and black circles at the top where the wings meet. This is the head. Add some black circles for dots on the wings and cut out some white circles for eyes. Once the lady bug is made your child can help you apply them to the tub.
Felt also comes with an adhesive backing and you can find regular felt that is just like cloth or the rigid variety. The rigid type is best to use. If you have a hard time finding the felt with adhesive just spray the tub with spray glue and stick the figure on it. Once the glue dries you will not see it at all. Cookie cutters come in many shapes so find one that your child will enjoy. Instead of making cookies place it on the felt and trace around then cut the figure out. Embellish the figures with fabric paint or more felt. Make a bear by cutting the figure out of several variations of brown or black and white for a panda bear. Next cut out a little circle that will be glued with fabric glue onto the middle of the head. This is the bear's muzzle. Use a tiny black pompom or small piece of black to place in this circle just north of the center. This is the bear's nose. You will need two small black dots for eyes placed above the circle and on either side.
You can also cut fabric to completely cover the tub. Measure the tub and cut fabric to fit in one large sheet around the sides and to tuck under the lip. The fabric will fray so cut with pinking shears or apply no fray liquid on the edges. Spray the tub with adhesive and carefully stick. You can do this in sections if it is easier for you. Do not forget to do the top but only do the indented part in the middle. If you do the edges too the top will not snap into place.
It is always a good thing to have a good molded plastic or wooden box in which to store toys. Since they are so expensive it is hard to have two or more to store all toys away. The inexpensive storage tub toy box is a great alternative and will keep toys up off the floor. - 30320
