Midwest Mom's 'Free-Range Crafting' Keeps Kids Creative

During the harsh winters of the Midwest, a mother has found a way to keep her children engaged without relying on screens. Bethaney Phillips keeps her two sons, aged 6 and 8, occupied with a method she calls "free-range crafting." When temperatures drop or storms hit, the boys turn to cardboard, duct tape, and recycled materials to build whatever their imaginations desire.

The concept began after Phillips saw a social media Reel about collecting "interesting trash." She and her husband immediately implemented the idea, purchasing rolls of duct tape to get started. The children now spend hours cutting and taping items together. The crafting stash includes saved packaging, plastic plates, and yogurt containers. Additionally, Phillips's husband, a diesel mechanic, brings home broken tractor parts that are safe for the boys to use. The activity has resulted in the creation of various items, including a robot named Robesy made from a tractor U-joint.

The initiative started when a friend sent Bethaney Phillips a Reel regarding mothers who collect "interesting trash" for their children. Phillips and her husband decided to try the approach immediately. Her husband purchased two rolls of duct tape, and the family "never looked back." The children spent the first day cutting random cardboard pieces and taping things together, inventing items based on their imagination.

This method, referred to as free-range crafting, has been active for several months. The children's excitement has grown alongside the family's supply of boxes and tape. Phillips saves a variety of materials for the boys to use, including:

• Yogurt containers and milk jugs
• Lids, packaging, plastic plates, and cups (accumulated over Christmas)
• Broken tractor parts brought home by her husband

She ensures that any materials kept are easily cleaned and will not cause injury. The goal is to allow the children to do as they please with these items, fostering independent play.

To facilitate the crafting, the children received specific tools. They were given cool-touch hot glue guns and their own packs of masking tape. This permission to use tape on the floors was a specific request from the boys that was granted. A bonus supply of colored tape from their grandmother allowed them to decorate half of their room. Phillips also added standard craft supplies to their stash, including yarn, watercolors, markers, scissors, and ribbon.

However, safety boundaries are maintained. Certain items, such as balloons and kabob sticks, were quickly vetoed. While the children usually grab items from their room, the bulk of the crafting materials are kept in a large cardboard box in their designated crafting space. Phillips prioritizes containment over neatness, stating she does not care if the area looks messy as long as the supplies are contained. The crafting is strictly regulated by the weather; it is only permitted when the weather does not cooperate. Any hint of nice weather requires the boys to go outside to play.

The children's creativity has produced a wide range of projects. The oldest son, who has an interest in soldiers and weapons, has built countless play knives. He uses these props to play army or spies, which is described as a common pastime in their house. He has also constructed vehicles and cut cardboard pieces to serve as barns or sheds during play.

The youngest son focuses on robots and spaceships. He converted a broken U-joint from a tractor into his own robot, named Robesy. The robot became so significant to the child that it accompanied the family on a 16-hour holiday road trip. The boys enjoy the ability to create whatever specific item they need to complete their playtime vision. Even after receiving an abundance of gifts during Christmas, they continue to prefer building and playing with their crafted items.

The crafting method has significantly altered the household dynamic. The children remain creative and use their imaginations without begging to watch television or use electronic devices. While the house often has bits of cardboard and tape scattered about, and the family goes through "record amounts" of tape and glue, Phillips views the trade-off positively. She describes it as a fun pastime the children enjoy, and she and her husband love watching what they create.

The activity keeps the boys occupied during the long winter months when they are often stuck indoors. The family lives in a region where they experience all four seasons, sometimes multiple in a single day. The crafting provides a necessary indoor outlet when temperatures drop or storms prevent outdoor play. The boys spread out from their designated room into the living room and hallway, but as long as they are playing well and pick up in the evening, the parents allow the creative process to flow.