Original title
Out of the Box
Released
10/5/1998
Origin country
US
Genre
Family, Kids, Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Production companies
Walt Disney Television, OOTB
Status
Ended
Number of seasons
3
Number of episodes
79
Every day, a small group of neighborhood children come and play in "The Box," an imaginary clubhouse made entirely out of painted cardboard boxes. Along with their two caregivers, Tony James and Vivian Bayubay McLaughlin, the kids play games, do crafts, sing songs, and act out stories in the box.
Vivian is tending to some bean seeds that she planted last week which are beginning to grow into bean plants. They'll need soil, sunlight, water, and air. Vivian shows the kids how they can make newspaper trees. They play out their own version of 'Jack and the Beanstalk' in which the kids plant newspaper 'magic seed' that grows into a newspaper beanstalk.
The kids use their noses to sniff out where Tony is hiding some muffins he's made for them. They pretend to be different animals with different types of noses and make nose puppets out of paper cups which they use to play out their own version of 'Pinocchio.' Pinocchio, whose nose grows when he tells a lie, meets some animals and has a nose contest with them. He learns to be happy with the nose he has and all the great things it can do.
Vivian brings in her new pet mouse, Nugget, to meet everyone.
The kids help Nicholas choose what pet he would like for his birthday.
Dane brings in a toy boat which inspires the group to make their own little boat out of some corks and toothpicks. Vivian finds a picture of a ship's captain in her picture box and everyone jumps in for an adventure. The kids jump out and make a pretend ship that they all fit in. They play out their own version of "Captain Hook" in which they sail to a far away island to rescue him.
Jill's new toy airplane breaks its wing, and Vivian comes to the rescue with her glue bottle. While the glue dries, the kids make toy parachutes out of paper cups and tissue. They sing a parachute song and play out their own version of "Peter Pan", in which Peter forgets how to fly and is rescued by a friendly eagle and a passing airplane.
The kids make a pretend ocean in the Box. They use fabric to make pretend waves and sand. Wondering what it must be like to live in the sea, Nick and Vivian look in her picture box and find a picture of a crab and an octopus. They jump in and learn to "go with the flow." They jump out and make ocean drums out of pie tins and play out their own seaside version of, "Puss In Boots."
Everyone is playing with hula hoops - but Aleisha can't seem to get it.
The kids discover all of the fun things you can do with tubes. They use mailing and paper towel tubes to make tube suits, tube instruments and play out a story about a place where everything is made out of tubes - tube town!
The kids explore life in the jungle by jumping into a picture to meet a tiger, a toucan, and a snake. They make jungle animal masks out of a paper towel roll and a milk carton. Together they play out a story explaining how the toucan got her rainbow beak.
The kids find a bunch of boxes left over from when they built their clubhouse. They make box music, a box birthday cake and a box candy house which they use to play out their own version of "Hansel And Gretel."
The kids make outer space mobiles out of hangers, yarn and paper. They pretend to be astronauts and blast off in their own spaceship. Everyone plays out their own version of a folk tale about the sun and the moon.
Jill finds a real live caterpillar and brings it in to show Tony. Once they put it back on an outside branch, they all pretend to be caterpillars and turn into beautiful butterflies. Paper, paint and pipe cleaners are fashioned into butterfly art projects. Everyone plays out their own version of "THE UGLY DUCKLING" about a family of worms who take in a caterpillar that they think is a very fuzzy worm.
Tony shares a camping song, and the kids go on a pretend hike. They make yard stick fishing poles, and catch paper fish. They pitch a pretend tent, and play out a pretend version of "Little Red Riding Hood."
A magnifying glass inspires the kids to make a tiny town out of milk cartons, dominoes, and a soap dish. They explore size as they play out their own version of "Goldilocks and the Three Bears."
It's a rainy day and the kids explore all the types of hats that protect our heads, and the different hats that tell us what jobs people do. They make their own hats and play out a new version of the story of "Chicken Little."
Aleisha teaches everyone some sign language and helps them discover how to make music with your hands. They make hand-painted paper mittens and use them to play out their own version of "The Three Little Kittens."
Brandon just had a check-up, so he pretends to be a Doctor. They jump into a picture of a doctor to find out more about check-ups. They jump out and pretend that their alligator puppet, Swampy, has a tummy ache and they take him to a pretend hospital. A cardboard box is transformed into an ambulance and they help to make swampy feel better.
Dane finds an old wagon that's missing a wheel - so everyone pitches in to find something that would make a good replacement. They transform the wagon into a fantastical vehicle that rescues their puppet, Pogo the Porcupine, who gets stuck in a pretend castle.
Tony accidentally sits in a chair that Vivian had just painted. The sticky paint makes the chair stick to Tony's pants. They all make a sticky face picture and sticky capes which they wear to play out a story about going on a sticky safari and meeting a sticky spider queen.
Tony plays his talking drum and everyone moves their feet to the beat. They make a hopscotch board to hop on and they also make foot paintings. Everyone takes a part as they play out their own version of "Cinderella."
Nick's still learning how to button, and he's ready for lots of practice.
When all the balls get loose in the clubhouse, the kids have a ball playing indoor games with them. They make bowling pins out of milk cartons and invent their own rolling ball game called 'Rolly Moo.' They sing about why rules are important and play out a version of 'Cinderella' in which the prince holds a 'Ball Ball' for everyone and their favorite ball.
Bubble gum banana fried chicken tortillas? That's what Spiri would make if she could cook all her favorite foods together! They talk and sing about how much fun it is to cook, and everyone makes pretend food for a 'Group Soup.' They play out their own version of 'Stone Soup' in which neighbors end up sharing their food with a hungry visitor.
What's squeaking? It's Tony's rubber duck and it's ready for a pretend bath. After singing about bathing, everyone makes bath toys and bath tubs. They play out a version of 'Rub a Dub Dub, Three Men in a Tub' in which three kids in three tubs meet a sea serpent who's afraid to take a bath.
Is that Vivian? Yes it is -- she's just put on a disguise! This inspires the kids to dress up and they make disguises for themselves and Tony. They sing about how even when you put on a disguise, it's still you, and they play out a 'Little Red Riding Hood' story in which Little Red, the wolf, and grandma try to trick each other with disguises.
It's Clean Up Day in the clubhouse! When Tony has some trouble figuring out where everything goes, Viv and the kids volunteer to help. They play a sorting game, put their things away, then decorate boxes for the 'leftovers.' They sing about how easy it is to find things when you put them away yourself, and play out a 'Goldilocks' story in which 'Neat Nick' mixes things up when he decides to put away the three bears' stuff.
A hand mirror, a hubcap, a metal tray--you can see yourself in all of them! The kids find and play with different kinds of 'mirrors' and meet Vincent Van Gogh, who gives them pointers on using mirrors to make self-portraits. They paint and draw pictures of themselves, sing a song about being proud of how they look, and play out a version of 'Snow White' in which the queen looks in the mirror and wants a picture of what she sees.
This episode is full of hot air, cool air, all kinds of moving air and wind! Tony, Viv, and the kids make an all-wind band with wind chimes, bottles, kazoos, whistles, and instruments. Then they explore making things move with air and invent a blowing game with cotton balls. They make wind mills and talk about and act-out all the different things wind can do.
The children take care of pretend babies. They act out There was an Old Lady Who Lived in a Shoe.
When Viv brings in a bird feeder, it's time for some high-flying fun! After filling the feeder and hanging it outside, the kids make all kinds of bird sounds and decide to craft some paper birds of their own. They sing about flying, then play out their own version of the 'Emperor and the Nightingale,' in which an opera singer tries to give a Nightingale singing lessons.
The kids use one of their built-in-superpowers--their eyes!
Time to get in the groove! Tony brings in a metronome, and the kids learn about beats and rhythms. Everyone plays different percussion instruments, and then they make some instruments of their own. They sing about how rhythms are everywhere, then play out their own version of 'Hansel and Gretel,' in which a very groovy Hansel and Gretel find their way home by listening to the rhythms of the forest.
The sun is streaming into the playhouse--and it's the perfect opportunity for everyone to make shadows! They discover that flashlights are also great for making shadows, and they use them to make shadow puppets with their hands. They make a shadow puppet theater and put on a shadow play about a bird, a worm, and a spider who eat all the watermelon in a bunny's garden.
Tony shows the kids a real ladybug, and before long, everybody's goin' buggy! They use pipe cleaners and egg cartons to make a grasshopper, a spider, and an ant, and sing about why all different kinds of bugs are important. They play out a version of the 'Ant and the Grasshopper,' in which the bugs of 'Buggy Town'--who all have their own special job--learn to appreciate each other.
Honk! Viv and the kids play a joke on Tony, and down he plops onto a horn. So begins a day of silliness and laughter! Everyone shows off their funny walks, tells jokes, and does things to make each other giggle. They sing about how great it feels to laugh, then meet a court jester who practices being funny for them. They turn Viv into a backwards person, then play out a story about a king who finds out that his daughter is the funniest person in the land.
'Don't be scared, be prepared!' That's what the kids tell Swampy the alligator puppet when he's afraid of monsters. They make him a 'Don't Be Scared, Be Prepared' kit and sing a song about not being afraid. They make 'Super Monster' puppets and play out a story about three friends who teach a troll that it's not nice to scare people.
What's inside that shell? It's Hermie the hermit crab! When Viv brings Hermie into the clubhouse, the kids find their own make-believe shells and pretend to be hermit crabs. They sing a song about all the different places animals live, then meet a grumpy tortoise who needs help cleaning house.
A wave of a wand and the clubhouse is a magic kingdom.
Time for a check up! When Tony goes off to the dentist, the kids and Beavy the Beaver puppet pretend to go to the dentist, too, and learn how to care for their teeth. They sing a song about going to the dentist, and make paper-plate mouths, filled with teeth. They play out their own version of 'Little Red Riding Hood' in which a Little Bad Wolf learns about losing teeth and growing up.
It's one of the most exciting, spooky day of the year for kids! Tony brings in pumpkins and the kids show up dressed as a ghost, witch, and cowboy.
X marks the spot! Tony and Viv set up a treasure hunt with a clue around every corner. Everyone finds a special treasure, then they make treasure chests and meet a pirate with some unusual treasures of his own. They play out a 'King Midas' story in which a king learns that certain kinds of treasures--like love and friendship-- are much more valuable than gold.
Menu, please! Tony, Viv, and the kids turn into waiters, cooks, and customers in their very own clubhouse restaurant. They make pretend food for the menu, and sing a song about all the things you should and shouldn't do in a restaurant. They play out a 'Simple Simon' story in which a restaurant owner--who wants to serve only pie-- learns the best way to keep his customers happy.
Rise and shine--it's time to turn the clubhouse into a farm! The kids talk and sing about life on a farm, then Viv and Nick meet Old Macdonald and learn how to milk a cow. They sing a song about the different kinds of work farmers do, make a scarecrow named Mr. Smile, and play out a story about a scarecrow on Old Macdonald's farm who's just too nice to scare crows away.
Get out the sleeping bags and turn on the night-lights, it's time for a PJ party! Tony, Viv, and the kids put on their favorite pajamas and talk about their bedtime routines. They sing a lullaby, make a mural of a night sky, and play out a story about a little knight who just won't go to sleep.
Who tracked mud in the house? It's a mystery! The kids decide to be detectives and figure it out.
Get in the spirit -- it's time for a winter holiday party!
Tony's got a long list of groceries, and Celine knows just the place he can get everything he needs - at their pretend grocery store!
Viv can't remember the words to a certain song, but no matter... the kids and Tony can make up new ones!
It's a colorful day in the playhouse! Tony uses lots of different color crayons to make a card, the kids talk about their favorite colors, and everyone plays a color game.
Viv shows Tony and the kids her old dollhouse, and before long, everyone's talking about their own homes.
Everyone's birthday is on a different day, but the kids decide to celebrate them all together on one day!
Tony's sick and can't come to the clubhouse. The kids miss him and talk about why they feel bad, sad, and a little mad.
The Frog Prince, the frog is turned into a boy who can do a special jump twist, by an evil witch who is jealous of his jump, they come to an agreement that if the frogboy teaches her how to do the special twist jump she'll turn him back into a frog.
Join the parade with the Out of the Box gang!
Act out a Hercules story, Hercules zips through an obstacle course, and one of the participants (Vivian) goes through the obstacle course without really trying hard, in the end she realizes that you have to put your heart into to be great.
An old woman who lived in a shoe, comes up with an idea with others to build a town with the help of her children's idea.
A story about Lincoln, the president picks out a vice president out of 3 candidates, each candidate does a different pose or a funny act, but the president picks the one that helps out their family first.
"Beauty and the Beast", in a town called Splitsville, there lived two groups of people, the Beauties, who wear only polka-dots, and the Beasties, who only wear stripes. Both groups did everything opposite from one another, when one group went forward, the other group would go backwards. Until one day their cleaners got their clothes mixed up and found out that both groups have things in common with each other.
The Tortoise and the Hares; the hares zips through everything even with their speaking, they learn how to take their time to learn a new language.
"City and Country Mouse," one mouse lives in the city and another lives in the country. One day the country mouse visits the city mouse and learns the importance of being loud and soft in a big city.
The Pony Express, the kids/horses have a relay race that turns into a relay postal service to deliver/catch up to Prima Horsarina, because she can't dance without her favorite dancing shoes. A new meaning for the "Pony Express."
A Cinderella story in the future after Cinderella and the Prince has been married and are having another ball. The fairy godmother comes and gives all new things to wear except that they aren't what they expected them to be.
Three Billy Goats Gruff encounters a troll who hates to lose, but the goats teach the troll that winning isn't everything as long as you have fun playing the game.
They make personalized invitations for their mothers for their special Mother's Day Show. They practice their performance for their mothers.
"Goldilocks and the Three Bears," Momma and Baby Bear and Goldilocks surprises Papa Bear with something special for Father's Day. Goldilocks comes over early and had messed up Papa Bear's things. She went upstairs and fell asleep in Papa Bear's bed.
Three Little Pigs, the three little pigs move into town and the wolf, who loves patterns pays a visit to each of the little pigs, who has patterns around their homes, all four of them becomes fast friends.
A dinosaur tale about a dinosaur looking for his family and making friends with other dinosaurs.
Story of Princess Sunshine; the weather is always sunny until one day it rains; the importance of different kinds of weather.
A Popcorn Story, where the kids are kernels, who lived in a popcorn machine in a theater; one day they turned into popcorn and they find out what happens in a movie theater.
A Hansel and Gretel story, who meets a mean cranky wizard in the woods who wants to eat them for dinner. Their brother, Rufus, followed their trail of signs and saved them from the evil cranky wizard. We learn the importance of reading signs.
A Sorcerer's Apprentice" story; they learn about putting things in order after they finished playing with the toys.
Noah's Ark, they go in pairs onto the ark; they learn to do things on their own and with each other.
A Stiff Tree Story, all the trees love to bend and stretch, except for one, until one day a thunderstorm blew down the stiff tree. We learn the importance of bending and stretching.
They act out the "Aleisha From Vericia" story. A story that use rhymes. The characters are Purple Furple, the Orange Borange, Marris from Paris, Vericia's townspeople, Bareesha and Padeesha, dancing the Zeesha with their kalicias on.
They play out the "Nutcracker Story." Marie (played by Maddy), falls asleep and her toys, the sugar plum fairy and the Mouse King, comes to life. They start to play with each other. Then the toys started to argue who Marie liked best. Marie settled the argument by saying she loved them all.
A story about three feathered friends who love surprising each other.
Mary had a beautiful garden, but there was also a bee, a worm and a spider.
Celebrate the new year with the Out of the Box gang!
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