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The holidays are coming, folks! Are you ready? If you’re like most people, you still have gifts to buy and a mounting to-do list before the big day. And, if you’re anything like me, you do most of that shopping part online and let the gifts roll in on UPS’ wheels.

But, how best to tackle that to-do list when you have wild children underfoot? I love those little people but man they make everything take so much longer.

Well, I’ve got a plan to get us through the holiday chaos with our sanity intact and I posted it over on GeekMom. It’s a super-simple idea that is sure to keep your kids engaged, happy, and out of your hair while you tackle the must-dos and to-dos. It’s cardboard STEM! Do you know how we always joke that kids enjoy the boxes more than the gifts they receive? Let’s capitalize upon that cardboard-obsession by giving those kiddos cardboard STEM challenges! When those boxes roll into your driveway via UPS or FedEx, do not immediately recycle them! Save them and ask your kids to try some of the 25 ideas that I’ve posted over on GeekMom.

Our family is planning to tackle a bunch of the Cardboard STEM challenges before the holidays in what we are calling The 12 Days of Cardboard. You can feel free to follow along and please share your creations on Twitter or Instagram using the hashtags #cardboardstem and #12daysofcardboard—we’d love to see what you’ve made!