Take Out Caddy Activity
Some New Year (or Anytime) Fun
If you purchased one of our Chinese New Year kits, you have something valuable that you may not even have noticed: a white take out box we used to safely ship your Miao ball. Don't throw it out! Instead, use it to make a fun and easy lantern.
(If you didn't buy our kit, don't panic. You can acquire take out boxes at most local craft stores or go to your favorite Chinese restaurant. Just make sure you ask for an extra without any leftovers!)
Supplies
1 Chinese take out box (any size; we used the 1/2 pint), plain or printed
Wrapping paper, construction paper or patterned paper
Markers/paints/crayons/glitter paint (whatever you have!)
Tape and glue
Happy New Year characters (optional)
Instructions
- Draw/paint on the box and/or cover it with colored/decorated paper. Children can have fun making paper collages or layer paper cutouts. Use red and gold for Chinese New Year. Perhaps cut out pig shapes or practice Chinese characters. You will find it best to cover the two larger sides (flats) of the box and leave the smaller sides with the folds uncovered.
- Push the four tab openings down nside the box. If they will not stay down, you can tape them.
- Use the decorated caddy for pencils/crayons or all the other small items children seem to collect. You can also hang the caddy with a ribbon as a fun celebration decoration.