I am so excited to share 3 simple task boxes that you can make right now! You all LOVED the 4 simple task boxes I shared here, and the ones I shared here, so I’m so happy to share more! SIMPLE task boxes that don’t cost a fortune and are low level for independent work and beginning learners are so hard to find. What’s even harder to find is ones that are appropriate for all ages and use materials you can find in your classroom. These task boxes will satisfy all of those requirements!
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TOOLS (affiliate links below):
Play Dough Color Sort is a great way to use those mini play dough containers, especially once all the colors get mixed up!
To make this task box: Find a shoe box and cover it with plain colors paper. Use packing tape to “laminate” the box to make it long lasting. Use your Xacto knife kit (a MUST HAVE for task box creation!) to cut the holes in the top to fit the play dough containers. You can use as many or as little colors that you want (even just 2… or 1 for errorless!). Use regular tape to tape over where you cut so it doesn’t break down the box over time. Use your knife kit to slice lines in the top of each cover. You can make these as wide or thin as you want (easier if wider, more difficult if thinner).
Use strip velcro to line the sides of the box with matching colored bingo pieces. Add velcro to the back of each piece so they can easily be stored. Pilling these pieces off of the box is also a fine motor skill!
To complete the task: The student will pull the bingo pieces off the side and sort them by color.
If you have any bookmarks laying around this one is for you! I LOVE these bookmarks I found on amazon because of the fun designs and colors! I laminated them to make them more sturdy!
How to make this box: I lined the box with some scrapbook paper I had to cover up some words on the box. I laminated each piece to the paper by taping them on with packing tape.
You can add as many or as little bookmarks are you would like. You could even make multiple bookmark match boxes of varying difficulty.
On the back of the second set add the hard velcro (hard travels, soft stays) So that the student can match them.
How to use: You can store the pieces in a plastic bag or container and velcro it to the box to keep all the pieces together, or just keep them velcroed on and pull them off before the student completes the box.
This button match task box is super versatile! You can sort by shape, color, OR color AND shape! Making it super easy to differentiate!
To make this task box: Cover the box in card stock or scrapbook paper (use whatever you have on hand to keep this low cost). Use packing tape to cover the paper and make the box long lasting. Line up your buttons how you want them, and use your xacto kit to cut slots below each button for the matches. Add velcro to the buttons and velcro above each slot. Velcroing the buttons on make it so you can change up the order so students cannot memorize.
Inside the box use any cardboard to make sections for each slot. Tape the cardboard on using packing tape. This makes it so you can check the students work and the buttons aren’t mixing together as they complete it.
Keep the buttons in a plastic bag or small container inside the box. The student will pull from the container and sort the buttons into the slots.
Shop the affiliate links to the materials used in this post at the links below, thanks for using my links!
REMEMBER: You DO NOT have to buy fancy bins and materials for independent work! You can make them with things you have! Puzzle without all the pieces? Use them for a put in task! Old beads?- use them!As you can see, the inside isn’t always pretty, but the whole point of these is that they are functional and use materials that we ALREADY HAVE. This saves money and time overall!
What other types of task boxes would you like to see? leave me a comment and I’ll be back soon with more boxes!
I have high school plus age group and they all are non-verbal with Autism and are low functioning. I’m looking for easy and cheap life skills tasks other than folding socks and washclothes. Any ideas?
Hi Steffenie! You can find some more ideas here: https://www.simplyspecialed.com/incorporating-real-world-life-skills-in-the-classroom/ and here: https://www.simplyspecialed.com/life-skills-centers-for-the-whole-year/
Hope this helps!
Alyssa