[blparent] homemade toys

[Erin Rumer]

Hello list,

 

So, my 18 month old son Dawson was prancing around the house this morning
with a crown of plastic shower curtain rings on his head and I got to
thinking how our kids are excellent at making anything into a toy.  I
thought it might be fun to share with one-another what types of safe things
we've used around the house as a makeshift toy for our kids.  The
possibilities are endless and I think that as we share it will be fun to see
what folks and-or our kids have come up with.  Off the top of my head I can
think of the following.

 

Paper towel role as a play horn

 

Strong plastic straw to blow in and make a fun flute sound

 

sturdy Metal or plastic spoons that are attached to each other to jingle and
make believe meal times

 

A regular bucket or bowl of any size to make an inexpensive water table or
sensory table with any items inside to play with

 

Any safe kitchen gadget like a Wisk, rubber spatula or wooden spoon.  I've
even given my son my double sided nylon spatula that he then grabs small
toys with and this is a great activity for him to work on refine motor
skills.

 

Plastic cup

 

Strong rubber coasters

 

Any of the dog's strong rubber toys.  I've even caught my son giving my
dog's Nyla bones a taste but thankfully that phase didn't last long! LOL

 

A box of dry food like jello or cake mix to shake and bang on

 

An tin popcorn tin to bang on with different objects to make different
sounds.  You know the type, we all have one around our house from a past
Christmas gift.

 

An empty pill bottle with Cheerios or something safe inside to shake.  I
recommend a bottle with a pretty big cap because it's amazing how easily
kids can get those child-safe caps off and you just want to make sure they
can't swallow the cap.

 

Towel of any size to play peekaboo with

 

Happy playing

Erin