Make a $1 Play Stove

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My son loves to cook (for real, and pretend), and I am so drawn to all those adorable mini kitchens that are way out of my price range (not to mention out of my storage capacity). I created a quick and simple DIY play stove made from a plastic storage bin. The best part? When you’re done play-cooking, you can turn the range over and store all your play dishes inside the bin!

Project Materials:

• Plastic storage bin, $1
• Construction paper, on hand
• Glue, on hand
• Double-sided tape, on hand

Total: $1

To make:

1. Cut out one piece of construction paper the size of the bottom of your plastic bin. I used black.
2. Cut out two spirals for the range-coils on the stove. I used red. (To cut spiral: Cut a circle, then cut a spiral into it. When you get to the center of the spiral, turn around and cut a bit off of one side of the spiral all the way back out to the edge of the circle.)
3. Glue spirals onto base piece of paper.
4. Attach paper to inside bottom of bin with double-sided tape.

Alternate ideas:

• Draw the range-coil shapes onto the paper instead of gluing separate paper spirals.
• Glue the paper to the bottom of the bin instead of double-stick taping.