That’s an unfortunately poor photograph of my cute little sister and I on kindergarten ‘Big Brother/Big Sister Day’ standing in front of Fire Station 14. Covered in our father’s old dress shirts and armed with oversized brushes and cans of flaky tempera paint my class transformed a refrigerator box into a municipal building.

It’s become a cliché of childhood that kids would rather play with a box than the gift it contained. And given the space for a major appliance sized structure in your living room it can be a great exercise in imagination. However, if like many of us your living quarters are an exercise in space management you’ll be pleased to know that some ingenious folks and clever designers have now made it possible to purchase an upgraded, die cut, fold flat version of that same cardboard box that can be tucked away under the bed when not in use. While clearly more expensive than a found box, these structures have the added benefit of being available in a variety of shapes and sizes while still being fully customizable given some art supplies, 100% recyclable, sturdy enough to withstand a little rough-housing, and not so expensive you’ll have to take out a second mortgage when Junior kicks the door in.

Cardboard House at Sparkability, $45.

Isa Toys Magic Castle at modernkid,  $42.CDN

Isa Toys Play House at ecobabe, $66.AU

Jumbo Play House at Oriental Trading, $29.95. Order online by 11:59 p.m. CT, May 15, 2007, to get free standard shipping on your purchase of $60 or more by entering key code WC86114 during checkout.

Rocket at Paperpod, £30.

TeePee at Paperpod,  £28.

Isa Toys Moon Rocket at ecobabe, $88.AU

Play House at Paperpod, £30.

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