Mom Hack: The Cutting Box

A couple of weeks ago, I was in Aria’s classroom and asked her to show me some of the activities she enjoys when she’s at school. After showing me a bazillion activities, she pointed out this little tray of stuff that would allow her to cut pieces of paper to practice that skill. 

Fast forward a few days later, and she happened to find some scissors (don’t worry, they were hers and the safety kind!), and was on a mission to basically cut all the construction paper in front of her.  It occupied her for FOREVER. Who knew cutting was so fun to a 4 year old? 

I decided, instead of letting her just cut random pieces of paper, I would make little designs so she could also practice precision while honing in on that skill. Enter, the genius mom hack: the cutting box. 

So, if you’re wondering why I call this a mom hack, it’s because it keeps my children occupied for quite a bit of time. Hand them some glue as well and some more paper, and let them create glue the pieces that they just cut. It allowed me to get some housework done in peace the other day! Hallelujah mamas!!

Anyway, let’s get to how you need to make this magic box to keep your little one busy! 

Do you guys like to watch tv while doing a mundane task? Because I loooove doing that! I’ll choose to do dishes or fold laundry or whatever, so it doesn’t make that task as boring! So, while I watched an episode of Parenthood (and basically bawled, because I cry every episode no matter how hard I try not to!), I cut out little strips of different colored construction paper and drew all types of designs on them so that she could cut on the line. I got a little box to put the scissors and the paper inside, and called it The Cutting Box. We normally keep a little craft cart in our kitchen, and that is where I stuck this box! Aria was through the moon, and soon as Rishi realized what this box was for, he was all in! 

Walmart had the perfect box (or you can also buy it here), which was just a little over $2. I wanted a box that I knew had a latch of some sort so that it wouldn’t be the easiest thing to open, and this was the solution! 

I got Rishi a separate pair of scissors since I knew he didn’t have as much practice. He is equally as entertained by cutting! He’s obviously not good at the precision yet, but he loves the motion and it keeps him busy! He definitely needs my supervision and close watch, but Aria is pretty confident, so she only needs a little bit of my help! Figure out the skill level and make designs accordingly! The more intricate, the more you’ll have to watch them if they haven’t gotten the skill down yet. 

Make a cutting box STAT mamas. Get your kids into cutting, because it’ll more than your kids will love it! HA. It’s the little things am I right? Keep them busy, AND keep your sanity!!