Kids’ toys are expensive and they play a couple of times and then they start getting bored of their toys. Also, kids tend to grow out of their toys pretty fast, so typically, every day is a new day for a fancy toy.
Babies and Kids definitely need age-appropriate toys for their brain development, hand-eye coordination, and sensory development.
Since toys are expensive, and to be honest, sometimes parents do not feel the need to get a new toy.
There are days when toddlers would love to play with anything but toys. They seem to be more interested in adults belongings like mom’s makeup, dad’s tools box rather than their own super-expensive toys. Keeping this kind of attitude in mind, mom needs some ideas on what to do.
My kids hover around me all the time. When I am in the kitchen, they want to open drawers and cabinets to find anything that interests them. Not to my great surprise, they love playing with ladles, spoons, containers, and whatnot and every time I make sure there is nothing sharp in there or unsafe for them.
Parents need to know how to how to childproof their home. It is very essential indeed.
The best way is to teach kids along the way – what’s safe and what’s not, they are smart creatures, they will understand it eventually.
After buying tons and tons of hot wheels cars for my son, he would play with them just for a couple of hours and we are done.
Keeping this kind of attitude in mind, I came up with the idea of creating a box, container, bin, or bag, that is super inexpensive and great for moms who do not want to spend on toys every day.
You can create anything out of your closet that works for your kids. Something that could keep them engaged in an activity and also it should be age-appropriate for your kids as well as safe for them.
You can add stuff as per your kids’ age and create a “busy random box” with something out of what you have sitting in your kitchen or room closet.
Caution: Make sure any of this stuff does not have a choking hazard and are absolutely kids friendly.
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Kids inexpensive activity bin ideas
Get a medium size storage box, bin or a container and put all the miscellaneous stuff that you may not need anymore. I am not suggesting in any way to be wasteful with the food items. That being said, you know what your child needs and how you can make it a learning experience for her.
1.Kids Kitchen activity bin ideas
You can create an inexpensive bin from random kitchen stuff you already have that is safe for kids. Also, you can empty one of the drawers or a kitchen cabinet and fill it up with stuff your kids can get busy with.
You may want to include things like;
- Measuring spoons
- Funnels
- Rolling pin
- Cookie roller
- Small and safe gadgets with no sharp ends
- Toss in some pasta or cereals
- Ladles
- Small plastic cups plates
- spoons
- kids spoons, forks or knives (age-appropriate)
- Coasters
Make sure these things do not have sharp ends.
Depends on your kitchen and house configuration, some days you may want to toss in some ice cubes, or raw pasta, etc.
On the hard floor or kitchen table, you can do ice painting, it is messy though but it saves you so much sanity for that day.
Although it may get messy still you have to plan a cleanup wisely.
Here are easy cleaning hacks for moms you do not want to miss.
2. Activity bin from stuff around the house
Sometimes you notice kids playing around in the house with just one thing they like the most for a few days and after that they pick on something else that interests them more.
Typically, when there are two kids -not too far apart – play together for a long time and learn to share stuff with each other.
Things you can include in any random activity box, bin, container, that can keep kids engaged for a long time, and are easily available.
All you have to think of anything that can be included in a box.
Especially if you have two with less age difference. This could be a pretty engaging activity.
- keys chains
- old keys or car keys (not with remotes)
- remote control without batteries
- an empty perfume bottle
- empty chapstick with nothing inside
- closet dividers
- Coasters
- Dry Markers so there is no risk of messy stains on your walls
- wallet
My daughter and son (2.5, 4) love fixing stuff like hammering, using a screwdriver. Every day they just want to have a REAL screws driver and fix their cars, doors, and whatnot.
Even though It requires a lot of supervision and for big kids or small kids, drill machine toys are so much fun and entertaining for toddlers.
You can create a random box with some of this stuff.
- kids’ screwdrivers,
- long lost kids’ screws from their playsets,
- detached wheels.
- a hammer
As a parent, keeping kids safety your top priority.
Read more
How you can keep kids safe at home by efficient childproofing.
3. Toddler Girls activity Box
To engage girls in an activity you can use this stuff
- Bangles
- necklace
- comb
- Clean makeup brushes and of course real ones
- an empty perfume bottle
- an empty lotion bottle
- You can also add in toy make-up stuff that is available.
- empty chapstick
4. Shower Activity bin
My kids spend plenty of time in the shower and every time they are super excited for the shower. They keep adding stuff to their bathroom bin and have more and more fun.
- hair-dye brush if you happen to color your hair at home
- Hair dye bowl
- scrub Sponge
- Loofah
- toothbrush
- anything else you want to include
- cars
- Toy utensils
- Fidget spinner
Always be sure these things do not have any chemicals on and are safe for kids’ use. However, just to be safe it is a good practice to wash them.
5. Toddler Boys activity box
Boys love cars. They eat, sleep and breathe cars. My son is obsessed with wheels or anything that spins like propellers. So if you have anything that spins and you don’t need anymore, do not trash and save it, that can be super fun for kids.
Things you may want to include in a vehicles activity bin are;
- Cars
- Small vehicles
- construction vehicles
- Animals
- Uncooked Pasta
- beans
- lentils
- Rocks
Although these bins with sand and other stuff could get messy still you need to have these activities to keep your kids busy.
6. Glue station Activity
Kids love sticking stuff and especially if that makes it a messy activity.
If you have any random toys around the house which your kids can stick on a wooden board or sheet where it can stick then it would be a fun activity.
You can use
- Small Toys
- popsicle sticks
- Tires
- Wheels
- Pom Poms
- Cotton swabs
- Cotton rounds
- you can stick cotton rounds and paint them
- Knobs
- Anything that can actually stick with glue
7. Outdoor Activities for kids
Some days you can create an activity station outside of your house depending on how much space you have outside your home.
Sidewalk chalk activity is a fun outdoor activity for kids.
A car wash or a Scooty bike wash activity is super fun for kids. My son loves playing with soap foam and a sponge. This can keep kids engaged for a long time however, you still have to supervise them at all times.
Outside drive-way or sidewalk painting activity is fun during the spring-summer time. Just add in baking soda in your paint palette so it would expand a lot more.
I hope you will find these ideas helpful to keep your little ones engaged throughout the day with a blend of fun and learning.
Read more
Veggies painting and Homemade slime activity for kids.
Potty training tips for 3-year-old boys.
Cleaning hacks for moms to have less messy motherhood.
Comment below and share your favorite activities with kids other than toys that can earn you a quiet time once in a blue moon.
