Out of the Box (1998)
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.
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Episode 1 - Zip, Button, Snap
Release Date: 1999-07-18Nick's still learning how to button, and he's ready for lots of practice.
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Episode 2 - Rules Rule
Release Date: 1999-07-20When 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.
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Episode 3 - We're Cooking
Release Date: 1999-07-21Bubble 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.
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Episode 4 - Scrub-a-Dub
Release Date: 1999-07-22What'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.
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Episode 5 - Disguise Surprise
Release Date: 1999-07-23Is 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.
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Episode 6 - Good Clean-Up Fun
Release Date: 1999-07-26It'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.
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Episode 7 - Mirror, Mirror
Release Date: 1999-07-27A 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.
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Episode 8 - Blowin' in the Wind
Release Date: 1999-07-28This 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.
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Episode 9 - Rock-a-bye Baby
Release Date: 1999-07-29The children take care of pretend babies. They act out There was an Old Lady Who Lived in a Shoe.
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Episode 10 - Feathered Friends
Release Date: 1999-07-30When 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.
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Episode 11 - Eye Spy
Release Date: 1999-08-16The kids use one of their built-in-superpowers--their eyes!
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Episode 12 - We Got The Beat
Release Date: 1999-08-23Time 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.
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Episode 13 - Shadow Play
Release Date: 1999-08-30The 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.
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Episode 14 - Goin' Buggy
Release Date: 1999-09-06Tony 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.
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Episode 15 - Make Em Laugh
Release Date: 1999-09-13Honk! 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.
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Episode 16 - Mon-stir It Up
Release Date: 1999-09-20'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.
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Episode 17 - Whose Home?
Release Date: 1999-09-27What'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.
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Episode 18 - Unicornucopia
Release Date: 1999-10-04A wave of a wand and the clubhouse is a magic kingdom.
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Episode 19 - Tooth or Consequences
Release Date: 1999-10-11Time 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.
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Episode 20 - Trick or Treat
Release Date: 1999-10-18It'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.
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Episode 21 - Treasure Hunt
Release Date: 1999-10-25X 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.
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Episode 22 - Out to Lunch
Release Date: 1999-11-01Menu, 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.
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Episode 23 - Down on the Farm
Release Date: 1999-11-08Rise 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.
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Episode 24 - Pajama Party
Release Date: 1999-11-15Get 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.
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Episode 25 - Whodunit?
Release Date: 1999-11-22Who tracked mud in the house? It's a mystery! The kids decide to be detectives and figure it out.
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Episode 26 - Happy Holidays
Release Date: 1999-12-06Get in the spirit -- it's time for a winter holiday party!
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Episode 27 - Goin' to the Grocery
Release Date: 1999-12-08Tony's got a long list of groceries, and Celine knows just the place he can get everything he needs - at their pretend grocery store!
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Episode 28 - Sing a Song
Release Date: 1999-12-13Viv can't remember the words to a certain song, but no matter... the kids and Tony can make up new ones!
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Episode 29 - Rainbow Colors
Release Date: 1999-12-16It'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.
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Episode 30 - Family Fare
Release Date: 1999-12-29Viv shows Tony and the kids her old dollhouse, and before long, everyone's talking about their own homes.
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Episode 31 - Happy Birthday to Us
Release Date: 2000-01-07Everyone's birthday is on a different day, but the kids decide to celebrate them all together on one day!
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Episode 32 - Revealing Feelings
Release Date: 2000-01-11Tony'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.