Let the child experiment in making boxes of different shapes and sizes for his collections of seeds, stones, etc. This cultivates his ingenuity and practical imagination.
=Picture Frames= (_Scissors_, _thumb-tacks_, _gold paint_, _water-colors_, _glue_)
Cut three slats, each 1 × 8 inches, to make triangular frame. Unite with thumb-tacks, one at each of the three corners. To place them exactly the right way may take a little experimenting, which helps develop the child's sense of proportion and arrangement. When joined, cut off the projecting parts at the top to give pointed effect. Good for pictures of Indians, as wigwam is suggested. Decorate by gilding or painting. Can be painted with Ivory paints or water-colors.
Remove the rim, bottom (in one piece) and two adjoining sides of a berry box. This leaves two sides remaining which are already bent into correct form for coop. Cut the bottom of the box in half from corner to corner. This gives the triangular back of the coop which must be glued on. The slats must now be made and put into place. Cut three slats each 3/8 inches wide. (1) In each of the two front edges of the coop cut three horizontal slits 3/8 inches deep; slip the slats into these and cut off the projecting ends. The slats at the top will necessarily be shorter than those at the bottom. (2) Or an older child can cut in each of the two edges 3 notches 3/8 inches deep and 3/8 inches high and glue the slats into these, thus:
Cut sides of boxes into slender pieces which can be put aside and used for paste-sticks when pasting is the order of the day. They will prove to be better than brushes.
=Wagon= (_Thumb-tacks_, _button-molds_, _skewers_, _glue_, _small, slender nails_)
Take two boxes. Remove rims. Bend down one side of each of the boxes so that it is horizontal. Lap one of these exactly over the other and join with thumb-tacks. This makes the body of coal wagon. For wheels use (1) large wooden button-molds or (2) the cardboard circles round which ribbons come. Make axles of skewers. Glue axle to bottom of wagon, slip on the wheels and insert small, slender nail to keep wheel from coming off. If skewers are not at hand whittle a slender piece from a stick of kindling wood, whittling the ends until slender enough for the wheels to slip on. Paint spokes on the wheels and paint the wagon, using any paint at hand.