Toys

I have found that bathtub toys for my young children are expensive and don't last very long. So, what I've been doing is saving the plastic coffee containers (new ones from Folgers)

A great "toy" for a toddler: Save all your plastic jar lids (from mayonnaise, peanut butter, etc.) Save different colors and sizes, the more the better. I did this

Being adamantly opposed to using any kind of "weapons" as toys, and this includes water guns, I give my kids plastic squirt bottles, either clean spray bottles of water or

Good examples for great sand toys are applesauce cups, laundry detergent scoops, powdered formula scoops, empty play dough containers and more.

A great "sandbox" for kids to use indoors is to fill a large plastic container with a bag of plain rice (I use a dishpan). Give them some measuring cups and funnels and

Dissolve 2 tablespoons sugar into 2 cups warm water. Slowly add 1 cup tear-free baby shampoo. Stir well but gently. This is GREAT for kids birthday parties and for the

Want a cheap way to make bubbles for the kids? Just add a little shampoo to some water and let them go. 

Mix in saucepan over low heat (it does not have to heat long). dough is ready when it rolls into a ball. Keep fresh in an airtight container or baggie.

Here's an easy game for even small kids: You'll need 2 balloons, one round(ish) one and one long one. Use the long one for the bat and the round one for the ball. 

Servings: 1 Combine ingredients and pour into an unbreakable bottle. To blow bubbles, experiment using plastic straws,

To extend the fun of summer put some sand into a small rubbermaid storage bucket with some shells and play toys then let your kids play in the bucket on a large piece of 

Small Pudding cups washed out can be used for bingo chips or other chips that need to be used for board games.

I make blocks for my three grandsons by going to the cutoff bin in my local Home Depot store. They have lots of short pieces of wood that can be cut into blocks. I 

Make a play grocery store for your preschoolers.

With a few items found around the house, and a little imagination, you can make your very own toy town. Once your town is built, fill it with your favorite dolls and toy cars.

Cut shoe organizer across the width, so you have a line of four pockets. (If it holds 12 shoes, this will make 3 aprons).

You can make a kite with just about any piece of thin plastic, some tape and thin dowels. The site below has nice instructions for building a simple kite.

When your kids want to blow bubbles, use a coffee can that you've cut both ends from. Put your bubble solution in a bucket and dip the can. You can either sway the can through

Materials: Vintage" or interesting clothing selections from your closet, from Grandma's closet, thrift stores, etc...

Make toy blocks out of soap boxes. They are fun for kids to stack up and you can collect a lot of different ones and fill them with paper and tape them shut. For the