A grocery store? A flower shop? An ice cream parlour? A cute little bakery café? Or a stage for magic and puppet shows?
With this multipurpose DIY project, you can have it all and customise it any way you like to suit your child’s imagination.
Looking for a fun and creative project to do with your kids? Look no further! With just a few simple supplies, you can transform an ordinary cardboard box into a delightful toy shop that can be converted into a puppet theatre stage in seconds.
This versatile DIY project provides hours of imaginative play and brings endless joy to children and parents alike.
One project, endless possibilities
My soon-to-be 3-year-old son loves imaginative pretend play. Watching him transform into a chef, sell ice cream, play doctor, or narrate stories while engaging with his toy cars and plushies is one of the most blissful experiences for me as a mother.
Given his enthusiasm, providing a little setup where he can freely use it however he wants seems like the perfect idea. It allows him to explore his creativity and imagination in a space that’s all his own.
But we all know how expensive those pretend toy supermarkets or puppet theater stages can be. Most of them are designed for only one specific purpose, and the cheaper options are often poorly made. Not to mention, they are usually bulky and take up space. Living in a small apartment, we simply cannot afford to dedicate a large area for just one type of play equipment.
Instead, we’ve decided to build a multifunctional and adaptable play prop that provides a stimulating environment for him to explore and enjoy, all while saving space.
The best thing about this project is that it’s not limited to just one type of pretend play. It’s reversible, with each side designed to accommodate different kinds of imaginative play: one side resembles a stall that can serve as a shop or café, while the other side functions as a stage for various performances like puppet shows and magic acts.
This project is suitable for kids from age 3 who have started to enjoy pretend play, but older children will benefit from it as well, as it can be adapted to suit almost any imagination.
So, if you happen to have some old cardboard lying around in the house, why not turn it into something magical that your kids will absolutely love and enjoy? I promise it will be easy and fun. Let’s get crafting!
DIY Reversible Cardboard Toy Shop slash Puppet Theatre Stage
Materials and Supplies
- Cardboard box
The first and most important thing you’ll need for this project is a large cardboard box. It should be big enough to allow your child to be comfortably hidden behind it, whether they are standing up or sitting down.
The cardboard box I used was from the IKEA packaging for a new office chair I recently purchased. It’s not as large as a fridge or washing machine box, but it’s just the right size for my son’s needs.
Besides the cardboard, you’ll also need:
- A pencil and ruler for markings
- Scissors or a cutter
- Hot glue
- Clear or masking tape
- Markers or paints (poster or acrylic paints work best)
- Fabric
- One extendable pole and two wall hooks
- Portable light (optional)
How to Make
Stand your box upright and open one side of the cardboard box. Remove the flaps on the top and bottom, but leave the left and right flaps intact.
It will work best if your cardboard shape is somewhat similar to mine—narrow and with a larger opening. If you’re using a thicker box, such as one from a refrigerator, the final product will be thicker as well.
Use one of the flaps you removed to create the awning. To achieve clean, rounded edges, I used tape as a guide to mark the shape. This makes it easier to achieve the classic striped appearance of an awning.
Cut a rectangular hole on the other side of the box to create the frame. With the remaining cardboard, measure and cut pieces to make the shelves for the shop.
I lightly scored the awning piece with a cutter to create a line without fully cutting through. This allows me to fold the piece while maintaining a slightly tilted angle for that traditional awning look.
I used Velcro tape to attach the awning to the top part of the shop, but you can use hot glue instead. I initially chose Velcro because I wanted to be able to remove the awning in case it got in the way when the setup was used as a theater stage. I later realized that the awning actually added charming detail, so using Velcro wasn’t necessary.
Using hot glue, attach the shelving pieces so that the left and right flaps remain open, and you’ll have racks to display whatever the kids are selling in their tiny stall!
I also added a “table” using the remaining cardboard so my son can place his cash register or other items on it.
The shop part is now ready. You’ll just need to add a few more things to make it double as a theatre stage.
The next step is to add the extendable pole, which can be adjusted in length to fit perfectly and be easily removed when needed. Place it inside the box and position it high behind the frame, making sure the pole is not visible from the front.
Since we’re working with cardboard, you should rest both ends of the pole on wall hooks to secure it and prevent it from falling or distorting the cardboard.
Measure and cut two pieces of fabric to create the drape or curtain for the theatre, making sure they are similar in size. Fold the top part of each piece and glue or sew it to create a hole for the pole to pass through. I sewed the edges of my fabric to prevent fraying, but this step is optional.
Using the leftover cardboard, create the roof of the stage as shown in the picture above.
I used masking tape on the back of the roof piece to hold the sides in place, allowing them to bend at a 90° angle.
I also used hot glue on the front side to reinforce it and then attached this roof to the top part of the main body.
I used Velcro again because I didn’t know better at the time, but you can simply use hot glue to attach it directly to the main body.
The picture above shows how it looks with the curtains drawn shut.
And here it is with the curtains open. I simply tied strings to keep them in place.
Now the theater side is almost complete. It just needs some styling and finishing touches.
Fun Little Details
From here on, the instructions will focus on adding details and customising the design to make it look good and suit your preferences.
To make the stage look more dramatic, I added a portable light that can be turned on and off with a single touch, making it easy for a toddler to operate. The light is also magnetic, so it can be removed for charging.
And finally, the most fun part: decorating!
Use markers, paints, or colorful papers to style your cute little stall and theater box and make it truly yours. You can keep it simple or go all out with the design.
I made each side of mine look completely different using distinct color schemes and theme to create a refreshing and varied alternative.
I designed the shop side in monochromatic black and white, with a touch of a simple grid pattern. I also added a small magnetic blackboard that can be used to display signs, such as for today’s menu or quirky little shop notices. It gives the shop a trendy and modern look, don’t you think?
In contrast, the stage side is more vibrant, with a colorful palette and playful shapes to create a bright and happy carnival or circus atmosphere.
I used brown kraft paper bags as storage baskets and placed them on the racks, which can be used in two ways. When the shop side is open for business, they serve as display baskets for groceries or other products for sale.
Then, when it’s time for a performance, they become handy baskets for holding puppets, props, or anything else needed for the show.
Have a Great Playtime!
My son totally adores his new pretend play prop and has been eagerly waiting since I told him we were making a new toy for him. Now that it’s finished, he can’t stop playing with it.
Transforming simple materials into something creative for our son has always been a rewarding experience for us. Watching his excitement as he explores his new play prop made every step worthwhile.
I hope you enjoyed this DIY project as much as we did. May it inspire you to create your own unique projects and bring a little extra joy into your home.
