Cardboard Box Really Is the Best Toy

Thinking Inside the Box

In my neighborhood growing up, we stuck a big empty cardboard box on top of the red wagon and played pioneers. I remember spending hours inside, decorating it and making a little home. It fell over a few times, but I don't recall any painful injuries - just hours of imagination and fun.

The good ol' cardboard box has finally earned the respect it deserves. The box was inducted last week into the National Toy Hall of Fame alongside Barbie, Silly Putty and Tinker Toys as a one of the 30-odd most iconic toys ever created.

Part of its beauty, I think, is that there are no feelings of guilt when the kids finally tire of the box, and it can be put out with the trash (in the blue recycle bin, of course.)

My own kids' room is strewn with forgotten detritus from birthdays and toy store trips past, facing a better future on The Island of Misfit Toys. But for some reason, there's always a pang of guilt in tossing out that soiled Hello Kitty compact I was so impressed by when it came in the Happy Meal.

The cardboard box can't really be recalled -- it's biodegradable (I think), without sharp edges, and usually comes free, on the outside of the $39.99 toy-toy you secretly thought was the last one you'd ever have to buy.

Here's a list of more low-tech, high-fun toys from Parentdish.