Community Centers, long term caring facilities, and many pre-schools are looking for childrenýs activities. There is an activity that takes on a new dimension every time it is opened--A Generational Dress-up Box created by the entire family.

Time Required:
5-8 hours

Materials Needed:
Box, markers or paints, Old hats, dresses, petticoats, ties, big shoes, pants with suspenders, gloves, purses, clip on earrings, a wild shirt, scarves, feather boa's, high heels

Steps:
Call a local community center, a pre-school in a low income area, or a long term caring facility. Ask if they would be interested in a dress up box. Make a list of items that you would like to find for your dress up box. Make sure you have clothes for both boys and girls. Call your extended family to see if anyone has any of the items that you need. Have each person contribute one special item from various decades if possible. Or, have a party and ask guests to bring dress-up items. Once you have collected the clothes, wash all of them. This is true for hats, shoes and gloves that you may be putting in your box. Decorate a box that would be the right size. This will probably stay in a corner of a room so use bright colors on the outside. You may want to make a list on one side of the box of what some of the items are and who contributed them. (i.e. Great-Grandmaýs hat, 1906; Momýs bellbottoms, 1966; etc.) Find a convenient time to donate your special box. It would be fun to set up a tea party at the time that you bring the box to them. You can come dressed up and they can dress up when you give them the box!