Much to the joy of children and parents everywhere, a plain cardboard box was recently added to the National Toy Hall of Fame. It is one of the few toys entered into the hall as a nonspecific brand. If you would like to see the box (grin), visit the Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, N.Y.

In honor of the "box" and its new celebrity status, our readers have shared some of their favorite box tips below.

LARGE BOXES CREATE A-MAZE-ING THINGS

I kept five children and the entire neighborhood fascinated with a room full of large boxes from an appliance store. I tied the boxes together and made a circle out of them, and I cut holes from one box to the other and made a tunnel. I also put in little windows. I put some of the boxes on one side of the main tunnel and made little trapdoors for the kids to crawl through. The boxes were heavy-duty enough that toddlers could crawl on top of them without the boxes falling in. — W.W.W., Gastonia, N.C.

ROTATE THREE BOXES OF TOYS

If your child has acquired too many toys from loving family and friends, divide them into three boxes. Store two up on a shelf, keep one down and rotate the boxes once a month. As the next box comes down, interest increases with the discovery of "new" things. Keep two or three favorite toys always available. — P.C., Cupertino, Calif.

PENALTY BOX FOR TOYS

My kids used to leave their toys and clothes all over the house, so I created the "Penalty Box." It can be a plain box or a plastic laundry basket that I keep by the back door. Anything left on the floor 10 minutes after I announce that items must be returned to their proper place is put in the penalty box. Each item in the box must stay there for four days unless the child pays 50 cents or does an extra chore. My house seems to be more picked-up now then it ever was. — Gina Davis, Benicia, Calif.

TACKLE BOX FOR CAR TRIPS

The best carrying case for toys, books, markers, games, crafts and other items for a long car trip is an inexpensive fishing tackle box. The many compartments are perfect for organizing and holding a myriad of car activities. — S. Martin, Montreal

LOCKED TOOLBOX BECOMES MEDICINE CABINET

After hearing about my friend rushing her 4-year-old daughter to the emergency room because she figured out how to open a childproof bottle of Tylenol, I bought a $9 toolbox to fill with our existing medicine bottles. If you put a combination lock on it, you can feel comfortable keeping it in the cupboard. It seems like a hassle, but is actually only a step or two more than opening your cupboard door. When the kids are old enough to know how to open a combination lock, they also will be old enough to know not to touch any medicine. — Stephani Grant, Pleasanton, Calif.

PRAYER BOX

Our two children, my wife and I take turns each evening offering a blessing before dinner. During this time, we try to remember those who need our prayers, but sometimes our minds go blank. To remedy this, we now keep a small "blessing box" in the center of our kitchen table, from which we pick out two or three prayer requests each evening. — P.N., Des Moines, Iowa

(Always keep safety, age appropriateness and your intimate knowledge of your own child in mind when considering use of any tip.)