* Cut out squares on the front and back ends of a cardboard box (approximately 2 feet by 3 feet); leave a border of at least 2 inches on each of the sides.

* With washable tempera paint, have your child help you paint the box (use electric blue and yellow to create a night sky and stars).

* Lay the box on the floor, with the flaps up. Help your toddler make doors for his fort by taping piillowcases on each of the box's open ends.

* Now let the fun begin! Invite your child to crawl in and out of his starlit hideout or pop out of the top for a jack-in-the-box surprise.