From the article: Cardboard Tube Play
Ever spent a ton of money on a toy to find that your toddler is way more impressed by the box it came in? Would your toddler rather bang a spoon on a pot than play with a fancy toy drum? Most toddlers don't need the most expensive, new thing to be entertained or educated and parents are coming up with fresh, DIY ideas for homemade toys all the time. You can share yours here.
I Make Toys out of Boxes...
- I've made many toys out of boxes, an obstacle course for small cars, a parking garage and most recently a gas station. My son LOVES them! Hot glue, colored duct tape and various boxes are pretty much all we need.
- —Guest Secret Mommy
Puppets Rule!
- We love to make puppets of all kinds. The ones that the kids seem to like the best are those that are just made and decorated with craft paper and then taped to big Popsicle craft sticks. They like to get behind the couch and put on shows.
- —Guest CJmom
Homemade Shakers
- When your cylindrical container of oatmeal, breadcrumbs, etc. is empty, don't throw it out. Instead, fill it with about 1/2 cup of rice or dried beans and then seal it securely with duct tape to create a shaker. You can paint or decorate the shaker if you like.
- —Guest MamaLiz
Boxes Are the Best!
- Never throw away a big box! They make the best toys. They can be turned into playhouses, puppet theaters, pretend vehicles, giant blocks, play stoves and dozens of other toys.
- —Guest Siouxsie
Kitchen Cabinet of Homemade Toys
- We have child proofing locks on all the kitchen cabinets except for one and that's my son's cabinet. We put safe pots and pans, plastic bowls, old cottage cheese containers and big serving spoons in there and while I'm doing the dishes he has a rock band going. He's done this since he was a baby. Now though he's starting to transform the rock band into a cooking school and he pretends to cook. He even steals the dishes from there and takes them to his play kitchen in the playroom.
- —Guest Angela