Take a box (Quaker Oats or Force, etc.). Cut out doors and side openings for a moving-van. It may be well to draw these first. For a model, look at any van or grocer's wagon. It will be seen that models are numerous and various. If more explicit directions are required we give the following, although it is always well to have the child use his own mind as far as possible before going to others for ideas.
Remove the top of the box, which becomes the front of the wagon. The bottom of the box will be the back of the wagon. This bottom will be found to consist of two layers of cardboard. Remove the outer one and cut the inner one once through the middle to make two doors. On each side of the wagon cut an oblong window ½ inch from the top, ½ inch from the bottom, and ½ inch from the front. Let it be two inches wide. Place a seat across from one window to the other; fasten with glue. It may be just a straight piece one inch wide, or may be two inches wide, folded once through the middle lengthwise to give a back.
For wheels use wooden button-molds, two inches wide, or circles sawed from a broom handle. For axles use wooden skewers or cut a piece from a stick of kindling wood about ¼ inch wide. Whittle the ends till they are slender enough to hold the button-molds. Then put on the wheels, inserting a slender nail or pin outside to keep them from coming off the axle. Glue the axle to the box. If wheels are cut from broom-handle, a nail can be driven through the centre for an axle and then pushed into the side of the box, or a nail pushed through a button-mold directly into the box will hold.
Punch two holes into the front of the wagon, tie cord through and the wagon can be drawn along. It may be painted if desired. For horses, trace a picture of a horse from some book or advertisement on cardboard, cut out and harness to wagon.
Lantern (Box, scissors, candle, pencil)
Draw on the box holes to represent eyes, nose and mouth. Then cut these out. Cut holes near the top of box to put wires through for carrying the box. Use a wire about two feet long, put the ends through the holes and bend up. Let a little of the wax drip from the end of the candle to the bottom of the inside of the box, and when a soft centre has been made push the candle down and it will stand firm. Only older children should use these, lest harm result. But children do make them at election times for transparencies. The openings may be lined with colored tissue paper.
House (Cereal box, paste, scissors, wall-paper, etc.)
Remove one broad side. Stand box on one long narrow side as room of doll's house. Cut an opening in the remaining broad side for a window. Furnish with paper furniture. (See [page 85].)