ARTS AND CRAFTS: Kids' Craftroom Redo on the Cheap (part 3)

My basement is fairly large. It runs the entire length of the house, but doesn't have any dividing walls. Like most basements, it's used as my catch-all storage. That being said, it's probably not a good idea to let kids have free reign down there. I couldn't put up actual walls, because as I said in my first post, I didn't want anything permanent or even semi-permanent, and I didn't want to spend a lot of money.

Also, I didn't want to box these kids in, I just wanted to define their space a little. So, how do I provide a barrier, make it fun and keep it cheap? PLAYHOUSES! Those are definitely fun. There's no point exploring the rest of the room is they have their own little world to play in. But, cheap? Hmmmm

I called my local home improvement warehouse and asked if they had any large appliance boxes they were going to throw out. They told me they would save the next shipment for me. YAY!!

I picked up the empty, flattened boxes (they were able to give me 3 that day), painted them white and reconstructed them back into box shape.

NOTE: I tried duct tape and packing tape with minimal success. I ended up poking small holes through the edges and using a twist tie to secure the structure. Then I used packing tape over the edge to keep all of the pokey bits contained

After the boxes were re-boxified and white, I got creative. I turned 2 of them into houses with open windows and functioning doors.

 And, I tried to add enough details that the Wigglets could really enjoy coloring and decorating them. I probably had more fun than they'll have :)

The last box was too narrow to be a proper house shape. Their dad decided they needed a jail (he obviously knows his kids better than I do). A jail didn't sound fun to draw, so I came up with a compromise...

WHEW! Three playhouses are done. It cost practically nothing to make and it kept me out of trouble for a few afternoons