Play Cash Register

I bought a bunch of big frames for my teaching space, and each of them came in a big cardboard box (within another bigger cardboard box). Nice, thick cardboard. I just couldn't throw it out ... I may have a problem.

Ro has been obsessed with the grocery store. He loves picking out the food, putting it on the checkout belt, asking the cashier for stickers, etc. He has a little play kitchen and play food, and a really cute shopping basket, but no way to really play "store" at home. He doesn't have a cash register.

But I had a bunch of cardboard and about 20 minutes free. And really that's all I need.

(Please excuse any out-of-focus pictures ... thyroid disease-induced shaking ... another post for another time).

1. Design:

(the pieces of cardboard were about 20" long, so I made this 10" long, just for convenience)
There is an angled screen and an open area for a drawer that can slide in and out.


To use my measurements, you can download this template picture.

(Also, seriously, I used the Pythagorean Theorem. In real life. Go call your High School Math teacher and apologize.)


2. Measure and cut.

3. Tape together.

 

I used duct tape on the inside of the corners (tricky to maneuver all the pieces and tape the INSIDE, but it looks better). Had to reinforce the drawer with tape on the outside of the front corners because that's the piece you pull to get the drawer out.


4. Decorate.

I used a black sharpie and drew a screen for the checkout (with his favorite foods and their prices), a credit card swipe slot, and a keypad.


5. Fund.

I just cut out some green construction paper and drew presidents on them. Ro doesn't really get it, but I think he knows they are supposed to be dollars. Cut circles from any leftover cardboard and you've got coins. A little rectangle from leftover cardboard can be a credit card (make sure to have a serious discussion with your toddler about financial responsibility before handing over the card).


6. Buy things from around the house.
Gather food and other things, and pretend to buy them. With older kids, you can talk about dollars and making change, but here we're still working on the concept of "I give you money and you give me the stuff I want/need".


7. Post to Pinterest and get famous.
Is it a problem that my financial planning involves Pinterest-based fame? ...