Spending money on expensive toys for your child? Don't bother! See what your child would rather play with than his toys.
Wrapping Paper
Who hasn't seen a child receive an expensive toy for Christmas and turn straight to the bubble wrap and paper it was wrapped in instead? No matter how much time or effort goes into finding the perfect toy for a toddler, he will surely find the process of unwrapping the gift much more thrilling than actually playing with the toy.
Toilet Paper Rolls
Toilet paper or paper towel rolls can provide hours of entertainment. So put away your pocket book and save up on these cardboard treasures. They can become swords, spy scopes, or microphones.
Cell Phones
What could be more fun than a device that has buttons, rings, and lights up? Cell phones are magical for children. Try handing a child a phone and calling him. The ring will surely light up his face in an instant. Just be sure to watch out for the drool on your phone.
Water
Adding a little water can add a lot of excitement for any child. Sprinklers, pools, water guns, and even bathtubs can provide hours of fun. So, go ahead and splash away with your young one for loads of fun.
Keys
Keys become wonderful toys for infants because they are shinier and louder than your average rattle. It's a toy a child sees you playing with as well, which adds to the appeal. Just be careful these sharp metal objects do not make eye contact!
Wallets
Children love getting their hands on wallets and purses and discarding the items inside. You will never know how much fits inside your wallet until a child empties it for you.
Dirt
This is a somewhat obvious one. Everyone has seen how quickly a child is drawn to dirt. Children love to jump in dirt, add water to dirt to make mud, throw dirt around, roll in it, and pile it up all around them. Children and dirt are virtually inseparable.
The tags on the toys
Infants and toddlers cannot resist those little white tags that hang off of stuffed animals and other plush toys. To them, the tag is the most appealing part of the toy. If you have never noticed this before, you surely will now.
Pots and Pans
You may need to pull out the ear plugs for this one. Pots and pans can easily convert into loud musical instruments for which children can beat upon. Wooden spoons can also be added to create handy drum sticks.
You
Most importantly a child craves your attention. Children need lots and lots of attention. A child may grow tired of all of the items listed above, or the most exciting toy in the world, but he will not get sick of you. So take the time to play and pretend with a child and you may be surprised that you might just find the child in you.
Bubble wrap and boxes are my children's favorites. Great article, Josey!
#2 by Alexa Gates, Jan 27, 2008
My cousins do the same things!
#3 by Ed Moore, Jan 27, 2008
Hi Josey...what a great idea for an article. The best thing I can remember is that oval carpet with different colors that acted as "lanes" for our toy cars! Lol. This was a fun read. Good job!
#4 by Ruby Hawk, Jan 27, 2008
My grandkids favorite toys were my pots and pans. I kept them on a low shelf so they could get to them .
#5 by R.B. Parsley, Jan 27, 2008
Oh how right you are Josey! I've seen my youngest nieces and nephews play with a lot of this stuff. Great article!!!
Randy
#6 by Liane Schmidt, Jan 27, 2008
What a cute, original, fun article.
Best wishes.
Sincerely,
-Liane Schmidt.
#7 by Lucy Lockett, Jan 28, 2008
The last thing was the most important one!
#8 by radar, Jan 28, 2008
funny how many of those things apply to CATS - LOL. not the water thing though - that is ANTI-cat! Great job, dhf
#9 by tutor1235, Jan 29, 2008
VERY fun article! You did a great job.
#10 by louie jerome, Jan 30, 2008
Great article
#11 by Nick Kenney, Jan 30, 2008
Great advice, Josey!
I think the last one is the most important for any child...
