Inexpensive Toys

At my house we have a few 'store bought' playdough toys (birthday, x-mas gifts, etc.), but some of the best toys for playdough are plastic forks and knives. They are very inexpensive (we usually have them lying around the house in drawers, cabinets and such). It is also easy for everyone to have the same thing (with 4 boys it is hard to have the same thing without buying 4 of whatever). If it gets broken or lost (it is easily and cheaply replaced).

We also have inexpensive cookie cutters (purchased mostly at the dollar stores after season clearance sales). We can get a package of Easter (or Christmas or whatever) cookie cutters just a day or so after the holiday - greatly reduced. Even if the cookie cutters are different shapes we have enough for everybody to have one (of basically the same thing - they all have cookie cutters) and then they can learn to share the different shapes.

Also, a big thing at our house (we do it every so often) is large appliance boxes. We have a friend that works at an appliance store and if we ask for a box we can usually get one. Yes, that's all - a large cardboard box. They boys love it!!!!!!! They will play with it for days (until it is destroyed). They usually play with it as is, but you could let them color or finger paint the outside of the box, you could cut windows, doors, etc. You could turn it into a car, train, house, or whatever. I have found out that with boys it will last longer if you don't cut holes in it.

What do you substitute for 'store bought' toys?

~Jena

Keeping Kids Busy

Yesterday at our MOPS group several moms gave ideas of how they keep their kids busy. This was one of (if not my very) favorite meeting of all. I mean if you are a mom, who couldn't use this? We all need times to keep kids busy (while we are fixing supper, trying to take a shower/bath, ________(fill in the blank)_______). So here are some of the great ideas I heard yesterday.

Printable 'Bingo' cards (like for restaurants, cars, etc.) at Real Simple.com. You can print several and use the store-bought bingo daubers, you can laminate them, cover them with clear contact paper or put them inside of clear page protectors and use dry/wet erase markers. It would be easy if they are in page protectors to keep them in a 3-ring binder. You can also purchase an inexpensive cookie sheet (from the dollar store) to keep in the car and use magnets for bingo pieces.

There are also activities that you can do with a bag. Check out the website here. In order to get everything, you must purchase the books, but they do have a few ideas for free posted on their website.

They talked about homemade playdough also. It is something that is safer to make at home than to buy (in case it is eaten by a child), it is fun for the child if they are old enough to include in this, it also lasts longer than purchased play dough and is usually softer. I have been wanting to try this recipe ever since I found it (making play dough in a crock pot). It can be found at A Year of CrockPotting (in her archives - do alphabetical listing).

You can also go to Publix.com and sign up for Preschool Pals newsletter.

I will try to post some more ideas a little later. Have fun with your kids.

~Jena