keeping young kids amused round up
I’m always on the hunt for ideas for keeping the little fella amused. Many ideas that I come across are a wee bit old for him, but I bookmark them anyway for later. With so many bookmarked, I thought I would just have to share some!
I’m big a fan of simple toys and activities that enhance creativity rather than toys that do all the playing for kids (although toys that go beep and play music are good for an over-tired toddler at the end of the day, as an alternative to TV).
I also like toys that are frugal (and handmade toys are a bonus for mum’s creative outlet – if we have the time, that is). Some of the ideas below are quick and easy while others will take a little bit more time and effort on mum and dad’s part. Many of the sites have lots of other great ideas besides the post I’ve linked to, so have a meander through them.
Playdough is a winner in our house. Rather than cooking your playdough, an easy alternative is to use boiling water straight from the kettle and mix with a wooden spoon before kneading once is cools down enough to handle. I find a little goes a long way. I halve my recipe and then keep half in the cupboard for back up – it lasts for ages and less means less ‘in play’ means less ground into the carpet 
.
 Finger paints @ Homemade mammas |
 Felt fishing game @ Just Another Day in Paradise |
 Felt car play mat / house @ Cook Clean Craft |
 Hanging tent @ Kojo Designs |
 Big picture scavenger hunt @ Pass the Cereal |
 Homemade highways @ Activities for Toddlers |
 Toy bags @ Zaaberry |
 Dolls house from drawers @ Nice Girl Notes |
 Super capes @ Serving Pink Lemonade |
 Magnetic quilting blocks @ Chalk in my pocket |
 Rainy day jar @ Home Grown Mom |
 Homemade chalkboard paint @ The Idea Room |
 Puppet Theatre / Shop @ Skip to my Lou |
 Toy grill @ Ohdeedoh |
 Toddler exploration bottle @ Cratzine |
 Post box @ Lilla a |
 Box ideas @ Declutter Organize Repurpose |
 Playdough recipe roundup @ Quirky Momma |
 Egg Carton Ideas @ Fur Lined Toilet Seats |
 Button ideas @ Activity Mom |
 Moon sand @ Play Based Learning |
 Quiet book ideas @ The How To Gal |
 Sensory board @ Play at Home Mom |
 Homemade workbench @ Ohdeedoh |
 Bath soap crayons @ Kiboomu |
 DIY Kitchen @ Cotton Candy Castle Photostream |
 Sensory Balloons @ Play at Home Mom |
 Shower curtain play mat @ Filth Wizardry |
 Name Soup @ House of Baby Piranha |
 Musical instrument roundup @ The Crafty Cow |
 Sensory tub ideas @ Counting Coconuts |
 Goop @ Making Memories with your kids |
 Bath paint @ Meet the Dubiens |
 Rainbow sensory box @ Share and Remember |
 Homemade doodle paint @ Delaware County Moms |
 Galaxy Playdough @ Fairy Dust Teaching |
Have you read these posts?
- tip tuesday – starting a craft box for the kids
- 50 Free And Almost Free Holiday Activities For Kids
- one man’s trash…
- kid’s kitchen and felt food round up
- Teaching money to kids with five activities
SAVE MONEY AND TIME ON THE GROCERIES
THE FRUGAL AND THRIVING WAY
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[...] – 12 days of christmas crafting round up I realise now that many of the links I used in the keeping young kids amused round up were meant for this post. Oh well. Double the [...]
One of my ideas from many moons ago did cost a teensie bit of money but it changed the mood of bored children very quickly. During the year I would buy inexpensive colouring-in or puzzle books, cheap coloured pencils, small fiddly toys, just little things that would keep them occupied for awhile because they were new and different. They were kept in the Surprise Cupboard and it was accessed on rainy days, bored silly school holidays and sick in bed days. The idea worked up until they were about 8-10, then they were no longer interested in little things and the budget didn’t expand to their desires. We also had a school holiday jar where I put a couple of dollars every pay day and that was for a going out activity such as the pictures or maybe something that was on in town, or lunch at their favourite take away.
Thanks for that tip! There’s nothing like something new and novel to keep a child occupied for a while, particularly if it’s something they like. I love your idea of saving for school holidays, what a great idea!
Good ideas Delphine, thanks for sharing.
Melissa thanks, now I have even more crafty Christmas ideas to spend countless hours on. This mini crafts thing is becoming a bit of a hobby. LOL
Great roundup!!!! Love it.