If your kitchen counter is overflowing with empty bottle caps, scrap cardboard, and bits of PVC pipe you don’t know what to do with, TikToker ChelseaExplainsItAll, a former nanny and self-proclaimed “Michael Jordan of babysitting”, has a brilliant—and budget-friendly—solution: the invention box. Her viral video shows a simple bin filled with these “interesting trash” pieces, ready for kids to turn into whatever their imaginations conjure. No instructions, no assembly required…just endless possibilities.

Parents everywhere are nodding along because it’s cheap, sustainable, and pure joy for kids. In a season when the pressure to buy the “perfect” gift can feel overwhelming, Chelsea’s idea is a reminder that love doesn’t have a price tag because creativity does most of the work. AFter all, who hasn’t dropped a hefty sum on a begged-for toy…only to watch their toddler have way more fun with the box?

Related: Walk away from the dishwasher—playing with your kids can inspire your own creativity

The joy of giving kids creative freedom

There are very few rules to creating the perfect invention box. Chelsea fills hers with PVC scraps, bottle caps, string, tape, and anything that sparks curiosity. Her guideline? “Stuff that you don’t know where it goes? It goes in the invention box,” she says. Kids are invited to twist, tape, stack, and build with no limits, no instructions, and no judgment.

It’s a little messy, yes. But the mess is the magic. Children experiment, problem-solve, and invent, all while developing confidence in their own ideas.

Related: It’s science: Boredom builds your child’s resilience and creativity

Why parents are loving it

The TikTok comments are full of nods from exhausted (and financially squeezed) parents:

  • “My 12yo has discovered the joy of a hot glue gun—I’m thinking an invention box may be in his future.” – @joyjoy.g
  • “THIS is why letting a kid be bored is soooo good for them! Love this idea!!” – @likemartha
  • “I can affirm. We made our daughter who longs to be an engineer (6 years old) an invention box with stuff around the house and it’s her favorite thing in the whole house and she has a lot of toys.” – @theunhingedmillenial

It’s affordable, sustainable, and gives new life to things that might otherwise end up in the trash.

Related: 12 art activities for kids that encourage creativity at home

The developmental magic behind the mess

Experts agree: Imaginative play builds critical skills.

Open-ended play like this helps kids learn autonomy, resilience, and problem-solving. They’re creating rules, experimenting with materials, and figuring out what works—all on their own terms.

An invention box is essentially a tiny lab where kids learn that trial and error is fun, not scary, and where the “oops” moments are just part of the learning process.

Related: Our family does ‘trips instead of gifts’ for the holidays—and it has been life-changing

How to start your own

  1. Collect: Gather clean scraps from around your home, like cardboard, bottle caps, string, tape, buttons.
  2. Clean: Make sure everything is safe and child-friendly. (Avoid small pieces that could become choking hazards for young children.)
  3. Invite curiosity: Label the bin “invention box” and let kids explore.
  4. Let go of perfection: Remember, the magic is in the messy, unexpected creations.

Turns out, the best toys aren’t the ones we spend a lot of money on. They’re the ones that spark  the most imagination.

Related: 40+ digital and subscription gifts for the entire family