Metal Discovery Box

Based on Little Miss F's love of her Circle Discovery Basket I decided to make a Metal Treasure Discovery Box. As I planned for this I was initially inspired by Nicole from The Kavanaugh Report’s guest post on The Naptown Organizer Blog use of a wire kitchen strainer as a basket. I love it when invitations to play are housed in aesthetically correspondent or complementary materials--such as having a using a natural woven basket for wooden blocks, or a tin bucket for clear plastic materials.

​Then I received this metal box as a gift from a visitor from Mexico and I revised my plan. It is such a lovely box and it is LMF sized! And the box offered a different challenge. I would have to be selective about the materials I gathered-they would all need to fit in a small area. 

Many of my initial ideas of items to include would no longer work. The whisk, the cookie cutters, mixing spoons, and canning jar lids would not fit. Then I decided to add another challenge. I decided although LMF loves her Circle Discovery Basket, I would not repeat any objects that I had already used.

Eventually I determined I would include the following:

Loose tea infuser
Key chain with keys
Bottle opener
Set of fancy nesting measuring spoons

The first time we offered this to Little Miss F she was completely intrigued. We’ve been using our entrance area more for Little Miss F’s play and I keep the metal treasure discovery box on the floor accessible to LMF at all times. Now that she is very mobile, she’ll seek out the box for fun play.

With time the items in the box have changed. I found another set of metal nesting measuring spoons in heart-shapes that I detached from their ring so LMF can explore them separately. We find the keys all around the house, she’ll carry them with her as she goes about her daily adventures. ​

The items tend to come and go from the box. What I love most about this play activity is I did not purchase anything new--all of the items were ‘found’ materials from our home. I think this makes a difference. LMF seems to really like that she is working with ‘real’ materials, such as keys and measuring spoons--items she sees me, my husband, and her other loved ones use every day. ​

Interested in creating your own Metal Discovery Box? 
​

The Materials:
Gather your container first -- this will determine the size and perhaps shape of the other items.
Then, collect interesting metal objects to go in your container. I am a big proponent of repurposing everyday objects for child's play. Less is More. 
I chose to keep my metal materials all silver in tone -- I don't have a lot of copper around the house, but I love using copper materials with children as they conduct heat which adds a splash of science in the fun! 

The Plan:
I love to have LMF discover the different invitations to play I offer her throughout our home. So consider placing it in an area your child will explore when he or she plays. 

If after a day or two your child does not notice the box, consider 'offering' it to him or her, opening the container if there is a lid, and/or showing your child the different items in your Metal Treasure Box. 

I am looking forward to my next discovery box--I am thinking I will stick to the materials theme and explore wood next! What is your child’s favorite discovery basket or box or activity? ​

Safety Reminders: Adult supervision is highly recommended for all of the activities, ideas, and materials featured on this blog. As parents, guardians, and caregivers, you know your children best and your own comfort level with the different suggested activities. Littleredbarn is not responsible for any injury or damage from reproducing the activities, materials, or ideas from this blog.