building on fire

For my son's 4th birthday he requested a fire fighter theme.  I wasn't sure of this at first, but I think I had as much fun coming up with things as he did that day.  I found this picture on Pinterest and was my inspiration. I don't know where the original picture came from, it was just a picture.

And this didn't cost me anything!  I had everything already.  Just had to dig it out of my closet. I don't remember why I had a box this big, but it was perfect for this.  It had a few tears, but tape worked (and still works). (Please ignore the mess in the background.  I promise I cleaned up before his party.)

First I made a triangular box thing.  What is the name of this shape??

Cardinal Red paint.  After I started painting, I was wondering why I was painting the windows I was about to cut out.  So that's why there are two non-window panes.  

Shhh... don't tell my mom, but I had to use an Exacto knife to cut out the windows.  They aren't cut out straight.  Andrew didn't get out the tape measure and t-square, so I'm good.

This part was fun.  White paint makes bricks!  Yes, I know, don't bring up the scale.  My son loved it.  The "fire" in the windows was tissue paper.  I was originally going to use streamers, but thought the scrunched up and then straightened out tissue paper looked more fun.  I taped each piece about 1/2" above the top of the window so they hung down a bit more.

For the "water" I covered a few Wiffle balls with blue tissue paper.  I didn't have plain blue tissue paper.  The kids didn't mind.

I made this mid-February.  He still plays with it.  In fact, he tripped over it this evening.  Our basement floor has tile sections where he plays with this.  Once in a while I'll hear the bouncing Wiffle balls and have to stop and think about what he's doing down there.  For something that cost me nothing to make, and was made in a couple of hours one afternoon, I'd say it was well worth it!